Landman season 2 premiered on Paramount+ on November 16, 2025, continuing Taylor Sheridan’s phenomenal streak with an 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating as critics praise the show’s escalating drama and Billy Bob Thornton’s commanding performance. However, the season’s debut viewership declined significantly, drawing 1.7 million U.S. households—a 37% drop from season one’s premiere of 2.7 million viewers (which represented 35 million global viewers). The sophomore season plunges deeper into oil-field politics, family dysfunction, and geopolitical intrigue, with new twists testing Tommy Norris’s resilience while exploring darker thematic territory alongside returning cast members Jon Hamm (Monty Miller), Ali Larter (Angela Pierce), and newcomers including Demi Moore. Despite viewership fluctuations, Landman remains Paramount+ and Taylor Sheridan’s most successful show, with season one reaching 15.8 million viewers—surpassing even Yellowstone’s final seasons and establishing itself as 2024-2025’s dominant prestige drama.
Cast, Director, and Writer
Creator & Writer: Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Sicario, Tulsa King)
Co-Creator & Writer: Christian Wallace
Executive Producer & Creative Lead: Taylor Sheridan
Main Cast:
– Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris (oil field crisis manager)
– Jon Hamm as Monty Miller (oil tycoon, Tommy’s boss)
– Ali Larter as Angela Pierce (Tommy’s ex-wife)
– Demi Moore as Cami (new character, season 2)
– Michelle Randolph as Cooper Norris (Tommy’s son)
– Jacob Lofland as Cooper (alternative casting)
– Mark Collie as Sheriff Walt Joeberg
– James Jordan as Dale (oil rig worker)
– Kayla Wallace as Ariana Norris (Tommy’s daughter)
– Stacey Leilani Boyers as Monty’s assistant
– Sam Elliott as T.L. (Tommy’s estranged father, guest appearance)
Production Company: MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios
Network: Paramount+
Premiere Date: November 16, 2025
Episodes: 10 (Season 2)
Review & Ratings
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 83% (based on premiere episodes)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: Awaiting full season data
Critical Consensus: Season 2 escalates the drama while maintaining character integrity. Critics praise Billy Bob Thornton’s weathered, compelling performance and the show’s unflinching portrayal of oil-field politics and family dysfunction. However, some critics express concern about character writing, particularly regarding female characters’ development.
Positive Reviews: “Bigger, bolder, and brutal,” season 2 delivers high-stakes action and intense character arcs. Thornton continues to anchor the series with authenticity and gravitas. The addition of Demi Moore brings fresh intrigue, while Sam Elliott’s appearance adds emotional depth.
Critiques from Roger Ebert: “Landman might be the dumbest fracking show on TV,” noting the show “struggles to find new reserves to plumb and veers off in some crazy directions.” Concerns raised include one-dimensional female character portrayals and what some perceive as regressive gender dynamics. The series also faces criticism for inaccuracies in oil industry depiction and certain controversial character elements (particularly involving a teenage character’s storyline).
IMDB User Reception: Average 8/10 rating from 513+ user reviews. Audiences appreciate the show’s entertainment value, strong cast performances, and Sheridan’s storytelling craft. However, recurring complaints include problematic female character writing and certain plot contrivances.
Standout Performances: Billy Bob Thornton dominates every scene, while Ali Larter receives praise for throwing herself into Angela’s complex character with commitment. Demi Moore appears “relatively unscathed” and delivers “devil eyes and a venomous tongue” in verbal confrontations.
Netflix Viewership and Paramount+ Performance
Season 2 Premiere Viewership (November 16, 2025):
– U.S. Households: 1.7 million
– Viewership Change: -37% from season one premiere
Season 1 Premiere Context (November 17, 2024):
– U.S. Households: 2.7 million
– Global Viewers: 35 million
Season 1 Total Performance:
– Total Global Viewers: 15.8 million (first 35 days)
– 4-Week Global Performance: 14.9 million households
– Q4 2024-Q1 2025 Streamed Minutes: 9.9 billion minutes (Q4 2024), continued dominance through Q1 2025
– Nielsen Rankings: Top scripted drama, surpassing Netflix’s The Night Agent by 4 billion minutes
Historical Achievement: Landman is the most-watched Paramount+ original of all time and the most successful Taylor Sheridan show, ranking higher than season 5 of Yellowstone, Tulsa King, Lioness, and 1923.
Decline Analysis: The 37% viewership drop from season one premiere likely reflects normal second-season viewer attrition patterns across streaming platforms. However, critics note that Taylor Sheridan’s departure from Paramount+ (announced 2025) could impact future projects, as his creative leadership has driven the service’s most successful programming.
Season 2 Plot Overview
Season 2 deepens the exploration of Tommy Norris’s world, expanding beyond oil-field crisis management into geopolitical intrigue and family trauma. The season introduces new threats, higher stakes, and complex character relationships that test Tommy’s moral compass. Demi Moore’s character represents a significant new wildcard, while Sam Elliott’s appearance as Tommy’s estranged father adds emotional resonance. The season balances authentic industry details with heightened dramatic moments, though critics note occasional tonal shifts between genuine crisis management and soap opera-like family dysfunction.
