Landman Co-Creator Reveals What’s Next for Tommy After Season 1’s Game-Changing Finale

Paramount+’s oil drama Landman ended its first season with a seismic shift that could redefine the series. In a finale packed with tension, betrayals, and boardroom chaos, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) was suddenly thrust into the top job, promoted to president of the oil company after Monty (Jon Hamm) suffered heart attack complications. The final twist confirmed what viewers feared: Monty is dead, and Tommy is now in charge.

For fans, the shock wasn’t just Monty’s death but what it means for Tommy, a character whose arc has been defined by survival, pragmatism, and his ability to operate from the shadows rather than in the spotlight. With season 2 still unconfirmed, the finale has left audiences eager to know how this new leadership role will play out—and whether Tommy is truly prepared for it.

A Finale That Changed Everything

Throughout season 1, Monty Harrington loomed large as a ruthless power player in the oil industry. Played with charisma and menace by Jon Hamm, Monty embodied corporate control, making moves with cold efficiency. Tommy, by contrast, was more of a fixer and survivor, someone who knew the backrooms and drilling sites better than the boardroom.

When Monty collapsed and ultimately died in the finale, it wasn’t just a loss of a major character—it upended the balance of power. Tommy’s promotion to president marked a new chapter for both him and the show itself.

“Fans didn’t see it coming,” one viewer posted online after the finale aired. “Tommy going from an outsider to president overnight? That’s the definition of a cliffhanger.”

Wallace: “A Fascinating Space”

Speaking with TV Insider, co-creator Christian Wallace weighed in on what this shift means for Landman’s future.

“The differences between Tommy and Monty are so stark,” Wallace explained. “Monty operated in a world of control, but Tommy’s never been in that element. We’ve never really seen him navigate the highest echelons of corporate power. That makes it a fascinating space for him to step into.”

Wallace noted that the uncertainty around Tommy’s new role is intentional. The show’s writers want to explore how a man built on grit and instinct will fare when suddenly burdened with corporate politics and boardroom expectations.

“It’s not a world Tommy’s comfortable in,” Wallace said. “And that’s exactly why it’s compelling.”

A New Era Without Monty

Monty’s death also leaves a vacuum that will ripple through every storyline in season 2. As a patriarchal figure, Monty held the Harrington empire together through intimidation and sheer force of will. His absence means allies will scramble for influence, rivals will sense opportunity, and Tommy will find himself in the crosshairs.

“Monty’s death is the domino that sets off everything else,” Wallace teased. “Without him, the whole machine runs differently. And Tommy will have to decide if he’s going to control it, dismantle it, or be crushed by it.”

Thornton’s Time to Shine

Billy Bob Thornton has anchored Landman with his trademark mix of gruffness and vulnerability. As Tommy, he has played a man torn between personal loyalty and professional necessity, making him one of the series’ most unpredictable characters.

Critics praised Thornton’s performance in season 1, calling him “magnetic” and “impossible to look away from.” Now, with Tommy elevated to president, Thornton will have even more material to work with.

“This is a role Billy Bob was born to play,” said one industry analyst. “Watching him transition from a fixer to a kingpin figure will be riveting television.”

The Bigger Picture

Beyond its central characters, Landman has also been praised for its exploration of the oil industry and the human cost of energy politics. Created by Ronan Bennett and Christian Wallace, the series blends personal drama with the broader tensions of corporate greed, environmental battles, and working-class struggles.

Season 2, if renewed, is expected to deepen these themes, using Tommy’s presidency as a lens to explore how leadership decisions trickle down to workers, communities, and the environment.

Wallace hinted at this when speaking about the show’s direction: “The industry itself is a character in Landman. With Tommy at the helm, we get to ask: what happens when someone without Monty’s ruthlessness has to make those decisions?”

What Fans Can Expect

While Paramount+ has yet to officially confirm season 2, the buzz surrounding the finale and Wallace’s comments suggest confidence in the show’s future. If renewed, fans can expect:

Power struggles within the Harrington empire as rivals test Tommy’s authority.
Moral dilemmas as Tommy balances loyalty to workers against the demands of shareholders.
Personal stakes for Jan (Joanne Froggatt) and others caught in the fallout of Monty’s death.
High-stakes drama as the oil industry itself faces external pressures—from politics to global markets.

Closing Thoughts

Landman ended its first season not with resolution but with transformation. By killing off Monty and promoting Tommy, the series set itself on a bold new course. Whether Tommy thrives, fails, or implodes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his journey into uncharted territory will make for compelling television.

As Wallace put it, “We don’t know how Tommy will handle it. And that’s the fun of it.”