Paramount+ has officially ordered a third season of its hit oil industry drama Landman, but the renewal announcement has intensified an existing debate among viewers. While the show, created by Taylor Sheridan, is a proven ratings success, a vocal segment of the audience criticizes it as “energy industry propaganda,” leading to heated discussions on social media and in reviews.
The series stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a crisis manager navigating the high-stakes world of West Texas oil. The large ensemble cast also includes Demi Moore, Ali Larter, Andy Garcia, and Sam Elliott. The renewal follows a record-breaking debut for the show’s second season, which premiered on November 16, 2025, and garnered 9.2 million views in its first 48 hours—a 262% increase over its first season debut.
Record-Breaking Success Drives Early Renewal
The decision to renew Landman for another season comes as the show is only a few episodes into its second season, a move underscoring its strong performance for Paramount+. The streamer reported that the Season 2 premiere marked the biggest debut for any original series in its history. According to Nielsen’s 35-day cross-platform ratings, the show’s first season averaged 15.8 million viewers, establishing it as a major hit.
Showrunner Christian Wallace, who co-created the series with Sheridan, has indicated that there is ample story left to explore. He stated that the first two seasons have only “skimmed the surface” of the world and characters. Billy Bob Thornton has also expressed long-term commitment to the project, having signed a multi-year deal. This commercial success forms the clear business rationale behind the swift renewal.
The Core of the Controversy: Drama or Advocacy?
The central conflict among viewers revolves around whether Landman is a dramatic portrayal of a complex industry or an uncritical platform for its viewpoints. Critics argue the show glamorizes the oil industry and its wealthy players while inserting misleading arguments against renewable energy.
A specific scene that went viral on social media features Tommy Norris delivering a rant against wind energy. In the scene, he claims a wind turbine “won’t offset the carbon footprint of making it” over a 20-year lifespan and criticizes solar panels and electric car batteries. Fact-checkers and energy experts have widely disputed these statements. Research indicates the carbon “payback time” for a wind turbine is typically between five months and two years, not decades, making it overwhelmingly carbon-free over its lifetime. A climate communication researcher from the University of Melbourne described the monologue as similar to taking a “list of renewable energy myths” and turning it into a script.
The show has also faced criticism for its portrayal of women, with some reviews noting that female characters often lack depth and exist primarily in relation to the male leads. Additionally, the show’s acceptance of sponsorship from the American Petroleum Institute (API), which reportedly purchased a seven-figure ad campaign featuring “real landmen” to air during Season 2, has fueled perceptions of industry influence.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Audience
The renewal news has amplified a split in the fanbase, with discussions playing out prominently on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Some viewers dismiss the show entirely based on its perceived agenda. One social media user bluntly called the renewal news “Energy industry propaganda renewed for third season”.
Others express a more conflicted enjoyment, acknowledging the drama’s compelling characters despite reservations about its politics. One fan commented on the paradox, stating, “Every part of my working brain knows that this show is absolutely trash. But I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit to loving watching BBT be an absolute asshole”. This sentiment highlights a tension where the series’ entertainment value—driven by Thornton’s performance and Sheridan’s signature tense storytelling—clashes with its ideological messaging.
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Creative Team’s Perspective and the Road Ahead
The creative team behind Landman maintains that the show aims to explore a gritty, authentic world without taking a simplistic moral stance. The series is based on the Texas Monthly podcast “Boomtown,” which Wallace created, and intends to show the “upstairs/downstairs” dynamics between billionaires and roughnecks. Wallace has said the show’s world is “fertile soil for storytelling”.
While no premiere date for Season 3 has been set, the pattern suggests a potential return in late 2026. The ongoing debate ensures that the new season will be watched closely, not just for its plot twists but for its role in a larger cultural conversation about energy, media, and storytelling.
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