Landman Has Perfectly Set Up Billy Bob Thornton's Replacement

Published Sep 11, 2026, 7:45 PM EDT

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Taylor Sheridan's hit series Landman has never been a traditional workplace drama, which is why it isn't surprising to see that the series has quietly set up Billy Bob Thornton's replacement right before viewers' eyes. While the series revolves around the oil industry by way of Tommy Norris (Thornton), the real focus of the show has always been the people who navigate the world rather than the world itself. Over the course of the show's first two seasons, Tommy has functioned as the audience's guide through the harsh realities of West Texas oil production, as uncomfortable as they may be.

With Tommy the center of nearly every storyline on Landman in its early episodes, things began to change as the series branched out into its second season. Landman season 2 spent considerable time building a future for the show, shifting attention toward Tommy's son, Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland). While the storylines with Cooper involved began as his attempts to establish himself within the family business, Landman season 2 saw Cooper demonstrating the ability to identify opportunities for growth and manage high-stakes decisions in a way that mirrored his father. With a finale that pushed those stories forward, Cooper's role grew.

With Tommy fired from M-Tex, his decision to launch an entirely new company with Cooper gives the father-son duo a different perspective as Landman season 3 approaches. Establishing a succession plan and playing into a common Sheridan theme of legacy, Landman may have already shown its future hand to viewers.

Cooper Looks Set To Become Tommy's True Replacement In Landman Season 3

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Although Tommy's story throughout Landman season 2 wound up with some surprising momentum, the true undercurrent of the narrative was how Cooper's promotion came to life. After securing financial backing, Tommy organized his new company around the three generations of Norris men. With Tommy taking the role of senior vice president, his father T.L. (Sam Elliott) took on a leadership role, and Cooper was named the president of the new company. This decision made it clear that there was a huge sense of confidence in Cooper's abilities, and established him as the most likely line of succession for Tommy's future.

Landman season 2 began planting seeds for Cooper's growth and promotion early on, showing his movement within the industry consistently. His leasing deals proved to be successful throughout the season, and his wells became valuable assets, which allowed Tommy to put his trust in his son as time continued on. Although Cooper made some mistakes, it became abundantly clear that he possessed the same instincts that made his father a success in the business. While Thornton remains the show's star, the fact that there's a plan for succession should be an indication of what's to come as Landman continues.

How Cooper's New Role Will Change Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Story

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Although Landman isn't moving forward with removing Tommy from the story or moving on without him, Cooper's new role is likely to change the way Tommy's story is told on screen. For the past two seasons, Tommy has served as the primary problem-solver on Landman, with every decision coming and going through him regardless of the weight of it. Whether he was dealing with pressure from the cartel, corporate conflict, or family crises, Landman saw Tommy as the sole person in power and the one who was responsible for everything happening, regardless of what the outcome wound up being.

By placing Cooper in a leadership role, Landman season 3 will give Tommy an opportunity to shift and grow alongside his son. While there are likely to be some growing pains as the men figure out who's in charge of what pieces of the business and they're bound to butt heads, Cooper's responsibilities will place him under the type of microscope his father has long been used to. As Landman season 3 approaches, Thornton will remain the driving force behind the series, but his role is likely to take on a more advisory quality in moments with Cooper.

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  Billy Bob Thornton

  Tommy Norris

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  Demi Moore

  Angela Norris