‘Landman’ Main Characters Ranked From Least to Most Likeable

Move over Yellowstone, Landman is taking over the dusty fields. Will it become Taylor Sheridan’s biggest show? Paramount+ revealed that the series is its most-streamed original to date, a claim backed up by the Nielsen streaming chart. In the show, Billy Bob Thornton stars as a Petroleum Landman and an Operations Vice President at an oil company in the boomtowns of Texas. Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, does his best to juggle work and family life, but it isn’t always easy.

Wherever you stand on the ‘Oil vs. Environmental Conservation’ conflict, there’s no denying that Landman is one taut, expertly made drama series. So far, Thornton has been nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globes and the Satellite Awards. Top-notch support comes from John Hamm, Demi Moore, and a few other famous faces you’ve likely seen in some of your other favorite movies and TV shows. Most of the characters are also well-written. However, not all of them are likable. Some will make you punch the wall… others will make you want to hug them, but without all of them, the show would be nothing.

10

Nathan

Nathan (Colm Feore) is a lawyer and administrator unlucky enough to be roommates with the series’ protagonist, Tommy Norris. He is often seen trying to work from home, only to be distracted by Tommy’s daughter, Ainsley, who won’t stop walking around the house in a bikini, and Tommy’s ex-wife, Angela, who alternates between exercising and bantering.

Nate Struggles to be Funny

Nathan is meant to be a funny character, and he would have been one if Taylor Sheridan had co-written the show with a comedian. Instead, all we get is him displaying his frustration (and trying to appear nice at the same time) whenever Ainsley and Angela bother him. He isn’t granted any major work-related arcs either, so he remains dull by no fault of his own. Worse still, Colm Feore has never been known as a comedic actor.

9

Ainsley Norris

Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph) is the 17-year-old daughter of Tommy and Angela and sister to Cooper Norris. We first see her when she arrives to spend time with her dad during her parents’ separation stage. Ainsley shows up with her boyfriend (an athlete) who her father instantly disapproves of. Later, we see her living happily with both of her parents after they reunite.

Problematic Characterization

Ainsley is the archetypal television teenager. You could pluck her from Landman and install her in a teen drama, and she’d fit right in. The daddy-daughter and mommy-daughter moments are great, but even though you might envy her bond with both parents, it’s hard to ignore the fact that she isn’t a layered character. Her arcs only revolve around her relationships, while the explicit nature of her dialogue and scenes has triggered discussions about appropriateness.

8

Rebecca Falcone

Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace), is one of America’s most formidable causation lawyers. She is sent to West Texas to deal with the aftermath of a collision involving an oil truck and an M-Tex Oil plane. Once there, she finds herself butting heads with Tommy (over business strategies), and with Ariana (because of unfair compensation).

A Brilliant Professional with no Compassion

Rebecca’s adaptability is remarkable. Despite not being fully familiar with the oil business, she learns quickly and dominates characters who’ve been around for a long time. “You think they hired me because I’m pretty? I charge $900 an hour, you a**hole.” Her memorable rant during a deposition puts her on par with some of the best TV lawyers. You’ll love how she stands on business, but the cruel way she handles Ariana and the rest of the family when discussing compensation for Elvio’s death makes her less likable.

7

Angela Norris

Tommy’s ex-wife, and Cooper and Ainsley’s mother, Angela (Ali Larter), is married to a wealthy man when she is first introduced to audiences. It didn’t work out between her and Tommy, but she still loves him and can’t resist face-timing him. Predictably, she cheats on her husband with him, prompting a divorce.

Hard to Date, But Easy to Hang Out With

Angela is two things at once: a rebellious person who could use a class in relationship management, but also a tease equipped with a cool factor and a defiant spirit, She is an expert at breaking down all the emotional barriers Tommy might have. Additionally, Angela understands the importance of living life to the fullest. Her choice to cheer up nursing home residents by playing various games and even taking them to a strip club will forever warm our hearts.

6

Cami Miller

Cami Miller (Demi Moore) is the wife of the recently deceased M-Tex Oil Company CEO, Monty Miller, and a close friend of series protagonist, Tommy Norris. She is portrayed as a homemaker, though series co-creator Christian Wallace has hinted at a bigger arc for her in Season 2 after Monty’s death.

In Sickness and in Health

Cami is a straightforward character. She cares for her husband and tries to make her home a happy place. That’s it. Her tender-heartedness is witnessed more when her husband gets sick. Even though he wishes to still sink himself into work, she prevents him from doing so and bars Tommy and everyone else from talking about business. And as she has done in many of her critically acclaimed movies, Demi Moore portrays the character with conviction and warmth.

5

Dale Bradley

Dale Bradley is played by Sheridan-favorite James Jordan, who also has roles in the writer/producer’s other popular shows, Mayor of Kingstown, Yellowstone, 1883, and Special Ops: Lioness. He is a petroleum engineer who doubles as Tommy’s right-hand man. Beyond work, Dale shares a house with Nathan and Tommy.

Whatever Tommy Needs, Dale Has His Back

Dale is a true representation of the average, disciplined, hardworking man. He does his job well, he is loyal, and he rarely laments. Because of his experience and leadership, the roughnecks under his supervision accord him maximum respect. Besides that, Dale is willing to do things that aren’t within his job description. For example, he gladly helps Tommy punish the men who assaulted Cooper. A dream employee for any boss.

4

Cooper Norris

When a parent is too cool, it’s common for a child to want to follow in their footsteps and that’s what Tommy’s son, Cooper (Jacob Norris), tries to do in Landman. Cooper attended Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, on an Athletic Scholarship but he always wanted to become a landman. His father doesn’t like the idea, but Cooper insists.

Always Kind and Hardworking

Cooper might seem emotionally absent or unwilling to challenge his fiery tormentors, but he has a heart of gold. Most kids with successful parents would frown at the idea of starting at the bottom, but Cooper gladly agrees to become a roughneck in the oil fields so that he can work his way up like his dad. We see more of his good side when he becomes a source of comfort for Ariana when her husband dies in an explosion. Well, the shoulder to lean on soon becomes the shoulder to sleep on, but we aren’t mad about that. These two could just end up being one of the best TV couples ever.

3

Monty Miller

Monty (John Hamm) is a titan in the Texas oil scene and the CEO of M-Tex Oil. He is mostly seen in his office or in boardrooms, ordering Tommy to solve problems or striking deals that will make the company extra billions. Unfortunately, Monty dies in the Season 1 finale. After suffering from heart problems for years, his body gives out before he can get a transplant.

Boss of the Year

Monty’s death broke fans’ hearts because he was one of the best fictional bosses to ever appear on a TV screen. Never a micromanager, he allowed Tommy to do things his way. Consequently, the company thrived. Beyond that, he maintained a calm demeanor at all times, whether he was arguing about the future of the oil industry with fellow titans or reacting to bad news. John Hamm’s magic will be missed.

2

Ariana Medina

At the start of the show, things appear to be going well for Ariana (Paulina Chávez) until her husband, Elvio, dies in a freak oil field explosion. As she struggles to adjust to life as a single parent, she finds solace in Cooper Norris, the only survivor of the tragic accident. Soon, the two develop feelings for each other.

Standing Strong in the Face of Tragedy

Ariana is a hero to anyone who has had to overcome grief and trauma. Times become hard, but she stays strong, knowing her child depends on her. As any great character should, she is intentional and resolute, never bowing to self-pity. She’s as buoyant as this profound, perceptive Sheridan drama. Ariana isn’t the kind of person to be bullied either. We see her being assertive when Rebecca tries to give her a lower compensation than she deserves. Besides that, she makes her stance clear when her late husband’s relatives try to stop her from dating Cooper. Hopefully, Season 2 has bigger things in store for her.

1

Tommy Norris

Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) is the Crisis Manager and Vice President of Operations at Texas-based M-Tex Oil (later the acting CEO). The show mainly focuses on his land-related deals, but from time to time, he has to solve problems stemming from the choices of his ever-hyper ex-wife-turned-current-lover, Angela Norris, and his kids, Ainsley and Cooper Norris.

Perfect at Work and Home

Everyone loves a problem solver and Tommy is one of the best there is. Whether he is dealing with unreasonable cartel members or consoling Angela whenever she has a nervous breakdown, he does so without panicking. Even during the most heated of arguments, Tommy never raises his voice or displays anger. He is calm. Most importantly, he is an excellent dad, despite his busy schedule. In the first season, we see him get revenge for Cooper against the men who assaulted him, and banter with Ainsely multiple times.