Why Taylor Sheridan Remains Paramount+’s Power Player
Taylor Sheridan’s television slate has become one of Paramount+’s most dependable draws. From the sprawling Yellowstone universe to high-profile series such as Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King, Sheridan’s projects have consistently driven viewership and helped define the streamer’s identity. While corporate reshuffling at Paramount culminated in a public falling-out between Sheridan and studio leadership, the creator is contracted to produce at least two more series for the platform before beginning a creative partnership with NBCUniversal in a few years. Those future projects will arrive with built-in audience expectations thanks to Sheridan’s track record.
Several of Sheridan’s shows were conceived as limited runs — notably 1883 and Lawmen: Bass Reeves — but many have expanded into multi‑season franchises. Special Ops: Lioness and 1923 have reached two seasons apiece, Mayor of Kingstown has aired four seasons, and Yellowstone remains among his longest-running successes. Tulsa King is also on a path to similar longevity. Into that established lineup Sheridan has added a new contender: Landman.
Landman at a Glance: Premise, Cast, and Creative Team
- Title: Landman
- Genre: Neo‑Western drama
- Release date: November 17, 2024
- Network: Paramount / Paramount+ (domestic)
- Creators/Writers: Taylor Sheridan, Christian Wallace
- Lead cast: Billy Bob Thornton (Tommy Norris), Ali Larter (Angela Norris)
Landman relocates Sheridan’s thematic interests — power, ambition, and moral compromise — from ranch country to the oil patch. Set in West Texas, the series centers on a driven landman who brokers leases between landowners and energy companies. These intermediaries navigate complex legal and interpersonal terrain, and the show examines how their deals reverberate through communities and landscapes.
Billy Bob Thornton headlines as a ruthless, Plainview‑like figure in the modern energy economy, bringing a weathered intensity that anchors the drama. Ali Larter joins the principal cast, rounding out a small but potent ensemble.
Streaming Performance: Chart Longevity and Global Presence
Landman has become a persistent presence on Paramount+ performance charts. According to FlixPatrol data, the series has spent nearly 200 days on the domestic Paramount+ leaderboard, a notable achievement for a show that premiered in late 2024. It also ranks consistently on the streamer’s global top charts alongside heavyweights such as Yellowstone and Tulsa King.
This sustained chart presence signals two things: first, that Landman has achieved strong initial traction with subscribers; and second, that the series’ reach extends beyond domestic audiences, contributing to Paramount+’s international engagement.
Critical Response vs. Audience Reaction
Critical consensus and viewer sentiment on Landman have diverged somewhat:
- Rotten Tomatoes (critics): 80%
- Rotten Tomatoes (audience): 56%
Critics have generally praised the show’s gritty tone and Thornton’s performance. Rotten Tomatoes’ season‑two consensus notes that Landman “further refin[es] its brutish elements into addictive drama,” and points to incremental improvements in how the series treats its female characters, while continuing to benefit from “Billy Bob Thornton’s hangdog swagger.” Audience scores are lower, reflecting a split between critical appraisal of craft and viewer reactions to the show’s rougher edges and moral ambiguity.
Renewal and What’s Next for the Series
Landman premiered its second season in November 2025 and was renewed for a third season roughly a month after that premiere, signaling confidence from Paramount in the show’s staying power. With a third season greenlit, Landman has the opportunity to deepen its narrative arcs, expand its supporting cast, and build toward the kind of serialized momentum that has characterized Sheridan’s most enduring titles.
How Landman Fits into Sheridan’s Larger Ecosystem
Landman continues themes central to Sheridan’s work — contested landscapes, transactional masculinity, and the real‑world consequences of concentrated power — while shifting the setting to the modern energy industry. Its commercial success on Paramount+ reinforces Sheridan’s value to the platform even as industry dynamics change.
As Sheridan prepares to move into a new creative relationship in the coming years, Landman stands as the latest example of how his series can both garner critical attention and deliver measurable streaming performance. For Paramount+, it’s another franchise to lean on; for viewers, it’s a neo‑Western that expands Sheridan’s reach into new economic and ethical territory.
You can stream Landman on Paramount+ domestically.