Paulina Chávez and Jacob Lofland talk character evolution and trust in Sheridan’s high-stakes drama, LANDMAN.
Paramount+ returned to West Texas this week with the debut of Landman Season Two, the gritty drama from Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, the series dives deeper into the chaos and consequences of a boomtown oil rush—where fortunes rise fast, secrets run deep, and survival is anything but noble.
Based on Texas Monthly’s acclaimed “Boomtown” podcast, Landman explores the intertwined lives of roughnecks, billionaires, and families caught in the fallout of an oil boom so massive it disrupts climate, politics, and the economy. In Season Two, Tommy Norris (Thornton) pushes toward a breaking point as new pressures close in, forcing every character into tougher decisions and darker corners.
To mark the new season, I caught up again with Paulina Chávez and Jacob Lofland, who return with performances shaped by trust, pressure, and genuine off-screen bonding.
Settling In After LANDMAN Season One
Both actors admitted stepping back into their roles came with expectations—both internal and from fans. Lofland said the biggest challenge was delivering on what audiences connected with early on. “Coming back, it was settling in and hoping we can deliver the same thing we had no idea was going to happen in the first season,” he said. That pressure became motivation as he worked to rise to the bar set in Season One.
Chávez echoed the intensity. She explained that Season Two pushed every character into deeper emotional territory and that the cast received scripts one episode at a time. “We also didn’t know what was happening,” she said. “But we have so much trust in Taylor Sheridan. His work speaks for itself, and as soon as we got on set, it was like home.”
Building Trust in the Texas Heat
The actors also shared how long days, shared challenges, and off-camera conversations strengthened their connection. For Lofland, it was simple: “We became really good friends just because we were talking earlier. Even though we come from different places, we think a lot the same, and we enjoy some of the same things.” Their support for each other continued off-set as well, becoming a foundation for their screen partnership.
Chávez added that working with an intimacy coordinator further reinforced trust. “It helped us build trust even further for our roles,” she said. The off-screen friendship made the on-screen dynamic feel honest and grounded.
A Season Defined by Secrets and Breaking Points
Season Two unfolds as both oil and buried truths rise to the surface. While Thornton’s Tommy faces spiraling pressures, the rest of the ensemble navigates shifting power, dangerous loyalties, and emotional fallout. Chávez and Lofland deliver layered performances shaped by difficult choices and personal evolution.
The actors’ commitment shows—especially in scenes like the quiet, emotional moment between Lofland and Thornton in a truck, a standout sequence that resonates like a genuine father-son exchange. Lofland said shooting it “was a pleasure,” and the impact of that simplicity carries throughout the season.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
