Landman (TV Series 2024)

Set in the heart of West Texas, Landman (2024) is a gripping drama that delves into the high-stakes world of oil drilling, land rights, and the men and women who navigate this dangerous and lucrative industry. Created by Taylor Sheridan (YellowstoneSicario) and Christian Wallace, and based on the popular podcast Boomtown, the series follows the lives of roughnecks, landmen, and oil tycoons as they compete for power, fortune, and survival in a rapidly changing landscape. Starring Billy Bob Thornton as the lead, the series promises to explore the brutal reality behind the modern oil rush, where billionaires are made overnight, and lives are destroyed just as quickly.

Landman | Inside The Series

The story revolves around the character played by Billy Bob Thornton, a veteran landman whose job is to negotiate drilling rights on behalf of powerful oil corporations. As the West Texas oil boom surges, he finds himself caught between his personal morality and the cutthroat world of big oil, where backroom deals, corporate greed, and environmental destruction go hand in hand. Alongside him are a cast of ambitious and desperate individuals, from young rig workers hoping for a better future to ruthless investors willing to do whatever it takes to control the market. The show paints a vivid picture of the stark contrasts within this industry—where some strike it rich, while others are left in the dust.

Landman': Paramount+ Reveals Start Date for Billy Bob Thornton Drama

Through Thornton’s character, Landman explores the ethical dilemmas faced by those who operate in this high-pressure environment. He is a man who has spent decades working in the industry, witnessing firsthand the devastation it brings to both people and the land itself. Torn between the need to secure deals and the realization that his work may be contributing to environmental and social collapse, he must navigate a treacherous path filled with betrayal, unexpected alliances, and the ever-present threat of failure. His journey is both personal and professional, as he struggles with the ghosts of his past and the uncertain future of the industry he has dedicated his life to.

Beyond the financial and political drama, the show also highlights the human cost of the oil boom. Families are uprooted, friendships are tested, and entire communities are transformed overnight as wealth and poverty collide. Some characters see the oil rush as an opportunity for prosperity, while others view it as a destructive force that erodes their way of life. Conflicts arise between landowners who seek to preserve their heritage and those who are willing to sell their land for a sH๏τ at wealth. This tension fuels much of the show’s drama, showcasing the emotional weight of these high-stakes decisions.

Landman (2024): Cast, Release Date, Plot, Filming Location - Parade

Filming for the first season began on February 6, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas, near Taylor Sheridan’s famous Four Sixes Ranch, a location well known for its connection to Yellowstone. The production aimed to capture the vast, unforgiving beauty of the West Texas landscape, emphasizing its role as both a land of opportunity and a battlefield where fortunes are won and lost. With cinematography that highlights the desolate oil fields, dusty plains, and imposing drilling rigs, Landman presents a visually striking and immersive experience that places viewers right in the heart of the action. The season wrapped filming on June 25, 2024, with reports indicating that a second season is already being planned for early 2025.

Taylor Sheridan's 'Landman' Reveals First Look and Premiere Date

At its core, Landman is more than just a story about oil—it is a deep exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the choices people make in pursuit of success. The series raises thought-provoking questions about the true cost of wealth, the impact of industry on both the environment and society, and the morality of those who profit from resources that shape the world. With a compelling lead performance from Billy Bob Thornton, a gritty and realistic portrayal of the oil industry, and the signature storytelling style of Taylor Sheridan, Landman is poised to be a powerful and unforgettable addition to the modern television landscape.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

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