Paramount’s Texas Oil Drama Landman: Ending Explained

Yellowstone may have come to an explosive end, but don’t cancel your Paramount+ subscription just yet: a new drama has captured our attention – and it was also created by Taylor Sheridan. This time starring Hollywood stalwart Billy Bob Thornton, here’s the twisty Landman season 1 finale explained – plus everything we know so far about season 2.

What Is Landman About?

Set in the real Permian Basin oilfields of West Texas, Landman centres on Tommy Norris (Thornton), a petroleum landman for a fictional independent oil rig called M-Tex navigating the constantly shifting terrain of lawsuits, dangerous working conditions, family drama and fights for billionaire fortunes.

‘It’s a very interesting world in the boomtown of Fort Worth, Texas,’ star Demi Moore explains. ‘It’s kind of this subculture that we haven’t seen before, which is what I think Taylor does so well. I play an oil tycoon’s wife… Lots of nice clothes. The substance of it is really exploring the issues around oil, petroleum, on all sides… And then of course there’s – as Taylor does so well – there’s delicious drama within and family dynamics.’

As season 1 unfolds, it becomes clear that Tommy is highly respected in the Permian Basin – but that doesn’t exclude him from power struggles, and there’s a particular rivalry between Tommy and drug cartel manager Jimenez (Alex Meraz) that bubbles across the series. While Tommy mainly serves as the field guy (or the titular ‘landman’) for his boss, M-Tex owner Monty Miller (Jon Hamm), these power struggles come to a head in the season finale.

Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris and Ali Larter as Angela Norris in Landman streaming on Paramount+. (© James Minchin/Paramount+)

Landman Season 1: Ending Explained

Jimenez is driven to the tipping point in the Landman season 1 finale, after the accidental bombing of a drug van by the National Guard sends shockwaves through the area – invited by none other than Tommy. Time for revenge – and to send the oil companies a message. Jimenez kidnaps Tommy, and tortures him cartel-style before revealing his intentions to kill him. But before he can, Jimenez’s superior arrives: Galino (Andy Garcia), who wants good relations with the oil companies to allow mutual benefit. Jimenez is killed, and Galino extends an olive branch to the reluctant Tommy; it seems the West Texas rivals will at least discuss working together in the future.

Jon Hamm as Monty Miller in season 1, episode 9 of Landman streaming on Paramount+. (© Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Is Monty Dead?

Things are looking bleak for Monty meanwhile, who needs a heart transplant. The future of M-Tex, then, is in the hands of Monty’s closest allies: his wife Cami (Demi Moore), and Tommy. Knowing the hazardous path that lies ahead of her, Tommy advises Cami get out while she can; sell the company, and live off the resulting fortune for the rest of her life. But Cami has other ideas, wishing to fulfill her husband’s lasting legacy. Tommy courteously puts a plan in action to give Cami what she wants, enlisting Rebecca (Kayla Wallace) to help with a farm-out deal that could make or break the company.

Of course, Tommy is then kidnapped and not much can progress with regards to M-Tex. Perhaps the most important development is a shot of Monty flatlining in his hospital bed, with Cami and their daughters crying at his bedside. With Monty dead, will Tommy be the new M-Tex boss? And what role will Cami now play in the decision making process? And how will Galino be involved?

Demi Moore as Cami Miller in season 1, episode 9 of Landman streaming on Paramount+. (© Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

Will There Be Landman Season 2?

Yes, Landman was renewed for season 2 before the first episode even debuted. Star Demi Moore confirmed the news in May 2024 at a talk at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, according to Deadline. ‘I’ve already completed the first season and I’m excited for us to start the second, which will be at the beginning of next year,’ the star confirmed.

What Will Happen In Landman Season 2?

The shifting sands of the Permian Basin oilfields will continue to bring conflict to the lives of the Landman characters. With Monty dead, Tommy and Cami must negotiate power over M-Tex. And with Galino sparing Tommy’s life, the oil riggers must sit down with the West Texas drug cartels to see how they can work together.

The final two episodes of Landman season 1 hint more dangers await Tommy in season 2 through a recurring coyote: in episode nine, his neighbour kills a cayote; in the finale, Tommy spots another cayote near his home, and encourages it to run away, saying ‘cayotes get shot around here’. In the final moments of the episode, another coyote appears on screen. Is it time for Tommy to run away too?

Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in season 1, episode 3 of Landman streaming on Paramount+. (© Emerson Miller/Paramount+)

WATCH

All 10 episodes of Landman are streaming now on Paramount+.