The puns write themselves butTaylor Sheridanand Paramount have absolutely struck oil when it comes to the prolific writer’s latest series,Landman, with the high-stakes drama set during the oil boom in Texas already breaking records on the streaming platform. The gripping series, starring Oscar winnerBilly Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Demi Moore, andJon Hamm, has officially become the #1 original production (series or movie) in the streaming platform’s history, drawing a staggering 14.9 million households worldwide in its first four weeks. It’s another massive boon for both Sheridan and the studios behind the series, MTV Entertainment and 101, who are responsible for the top five series on the streamer, and all come from the pen of Sheridan.
Landmantops a list that includes1923, 1883, Tulsa King,andLioness, with the former two spin-offs ofYellowstone, the biggest performer on Paramount Network. That series can only be streamed on Peacock in the United States, which explains its absence from the list, but the achievement underscores Sheridan’s unmatched ability to craft dramas that somehow connect to the everyman of America.
What Is ‘Landman’ About?
Landmantakes viewersinto the heart of West Texas, exploring the prosperity born from America’s relentless pursuit of oil. Based on the acclaimed 11-part podcastBoomtownfrom Imperative Entertainment andTexas Monthly, the series takes a look into the world of roughnecks and billionaires, showcasing the environmental, economic, and geopolitical ripple effects of the oil industry, and how it can affect one individual as much as it can affect the many.
Thornton, who has received acclaim for his performance as the disillusioned and weary Tommy Norris, is a true leader in the story as he tries to do the best for his family while managing the crises of a billion-dollar enterprise. The show focuses both on the billionaires and those at the bottom of the ladder, like a roughneckDownton Abbeybut with more oil and swearing and less tea.
Critical response to the series has been really positive so far, in fact, it’s been better than the very first season ofYellowstone.Back in 2018,Yellowstonedebuted to divisive reviews witha 58% Rotten Tomatoes score, but over time, it became more critically acceptable. On the other hand,Landmanhas gotten off to a flyer witha 74% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Catch new episodes ofLandmanevery Sunday, streaming exclusively on Paramount+. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the Taylor Sheridan universe of television shows, which is growing bigger and bigger by the day.
In the rugged terrain of West Texas, a team of landmen work to secure oil and gas leases, acting as intermediaries between landowners and energy corporations. The narrative centers on a driven landman whose ambitions in the energy sector lead him into complex negotiations and moral quandaries. The show explores the intense competition and the far-reaching consequences of the landmen’s deals, highlighting the intersection of personal ambition and the broader effects on the community and the natural world.
Watch on Paramount+
