The second season of the hit Paramount+ series Landman has broken numerous viewing records.
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The Taylor Sheridan drama follows Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) as he navigates the complexities of the oil business. The show also stars Demi Moore, Michelle Randolph, Ali Larter, and Sam Elliot.
The season opener is the most-watched premiere for any original series on Paramount+, so, of course, it had to be renewed for another season. It is an absolute no-brainer.
Despite this success, rumors have emerged that Thornton could be leaving the series. Is the T-Mobile pitchman saying goodbye at the end of the season? We have the answers below.
Warning: "Landman" Spoilers Ahead
The rumors about Thornton's possible departure from Landman appear to have started after the show's most recent installment, titled "Handsome Touched Me."
In this eighth episode of the season, Thornton's character asks his son to take over his landman responsibilities for M-Tex Oil. Some fans assumed that this was a setup for the actor's eventual exit.
It wouldn't be the most outrageous thing to happen on a show by Sheridan. The writer killed off Kevin Costner's character, John Dutton, in the middle of Yellowstone's final season. However, that had more to do with Costner than it did with the prolific writer's direction for the show.
Another thing to consider is that Sheridan is set to leave Paramount in two years. He will be heading to rival studio NBCUniversal with an eight-film deal set to begin this year, as well as a television deal that begins in 2028.
Sheridan or Paramount might think it's time to close up shop already. For example, while another Sheridan series, Mayor of Kingstown, was renewed for a fifth season, it will be its last.
Billy Bob Thornton Is Under Contract
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Thornton is under contract to do Landman for "four or five years." And unlike Costner, he wants to keep doing the show as long as he can.
"As long as I'm able, I want to do it," he said. "Or, until the story runs out. When I did (Amazon's) 'Goliath,' where I played a lawyer, I signed up for four years. And after those four years, we were satisfied. Sometimes people can go a bridge too far. There are certain shows that have been on for 12, 14, 17 seasons."
While it does seem unlikely that Thornton will leave Landman, a lot can happen in two episodes. Keep your fingers crossed.
