Billy Bob Thornton’s ‘Landman’ Replacement Proves Season 3’s Harsh Reality

Billy Bob Thornton’s return as oil executive and crisis manager Tommy Norris in Landman is highly anticipated, but it’ll be a while before the character graces our screens again. In the meantime, Thornton has an unusual Landman replacement coming out this month — but it’s as much a reminder of Season 3’s harsh reality as it is a chance to catch up with the actor in the interim.

Billy Bob Thornton Presents: The Mayflower will debut on Fox Nation on Nov. 23, 2026, just a few days ahead of Thanksgiving in the U.S. As its title suggests, the three-part docudrama will be hosted (and executive produced) by Thornton. It will dig into the history surrounding the Mayflower’s journey and landing in Plymouth Harbor, as well as the harvest festival that would become the “first Thanksgiving.”

Thornton’s first look at the three-part TV series promises to challenge common narratives surrounding these historical events. The actor assures viewers that it will cover details often left out when learning these stories in grade school. Specifically, he teases insights into the religious persecution that led to the Mayflower voyage. He also vows to look at the civilizations and cultures that were present before the passengers arrived in America. It’s an ideal watch for a long holiday weekend, but it comes with a sad revelation about Landman.

‘Billy Bob Thornton Presents: The Mayflower’ Arrives When ‘Landman’ Season 3 Should Premiere

Fox Nation

As interesting and timely as Billy Bob Thornton Presents: The Mayflower sounds, it comes with a bittersweet realization: it’s premiering when Landman Season 3, ideally, should be. The first season of Landman debuted on Nov. 17, 2024, gaining generally positive responses from viewers. The Taylor Sheridan series didn’t take long to keep capitalizing on its success, with Landman Season 2 arriving a year later on Nov. 16, 2025.

In a streaming landscape plagued by lengthy and frustrating gaps between seasons, Landman‘s quick turnaround proved refreshing. It wasn’t the only Sheridan series to shorten that gap in recent years, either. From Yellowstone to Mayor of Kingstown, several of the creator’s productions managed to release new seasons in similar time frames. It didn’t always pan out that way, but it was a relief when it did happen. For reference, here’s every Sheridan series and when each season premiered:

Had Landman Season 3 stuck to the same timeline as Season 2, it would have come out a year later — so, sometime in November 2026. Unfortunately, the next outing is currently still in production, and Paramount+ has yet to offer a concrete release date or timeline for the new episodes. Most viewers are expecting them sometime in 2027, which isn’t the worst wait to endure. Yet it breaks a trend that could have worked in the show’s favor.

Now, Thornton’s return elsewhere will serve as a reminder that we’re still waiting for more episodes of Landman. It’s great that the actor will still get to shine this month, but the absence of the Sheridan show will loom over that on-screen appearance. Fortunately, Landman Season 2 didn’t end on a terrible cliffhanger — and Season 3’s delay could come with a silver lining.

Why ‘Landman’ Season 3 Is Taking So Long

Sheridan’s TV universe has expanded greatly in recent years, and that seems to be leading to longer waits between seasons of his hit TV shows. There were about two years between Lioness Seasons 2 and 3, and both Mayor of Kingstown and Landman are looking at similar gaps between their most recent and upcoming chapters.

As for why Landman Season 3 is delayed, it comes down to production beginning later than anticipated. Although Landman was expected to start filming its third season earlier this year, it wound up waiting until October 2026. That made a 2027 premiere inevitable, as the process of shooting the new episodes — along with post-production — will take longer than two months. It doesn’t give Sheridan’s followers much to look forward to in November, but Landman Season 3’s delayed release could prove beneficial long-term.

‘Landman’ Season 3’s Delay Comes With a Silver Lining

Paramount+

Landman Season 3’s likely 2027 release date may seem disappointing at first glance, but it could be exactly what the Sheridan series needs. Although the critics’ score for the series remained positive from Season 1 to Season 2, general audiences weren’t as receptive to the latest outing. On Rotten Tomatoes, Landman Season 2’s Popcornmeter rating plummeted to 50%. Compared to Season 1’s 67%, it was a big step backwards.

Landman Season 3 will be tasked with winning viewers over again, as well as reinventing the series after Tommy was ousted from M-Tex Oil. Both goals come with a lot of pressure, and having more time to perfect the episodes will only help improve the quality overall. Billy Bob Thornton Presents: The Mayflower offers something to pass the time while waiting for those new installments. And with new seasons of Marshals and Tulsa King currently underway, there’s always something of Sheridan’s to enjoy.

Release Date

November 17, 2024

Network

Paramount

• 
  

•