Taylor Sheridan's sprawling neo-Western Landman is making a bold play for Emmy recognition after its first season was famously ignored by the TV Academy. Paramount has officially launched a campaign for the show's second season, positioning it as a major awards contender in 2026. The move signals that the studio believes the series—already a streaming hit—has the prestige and performances to compete with the best on television.
Billy Bob Thornton will be submitted for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while Ali Larter, who previously campaigned in the lead actress category, will now be considered for Best Supporting Actress. The supporting categories will also feature heavyweights Sam Elliott, Andy Garcia, and Demi Moore, giving Landman a deep bench of talent that could resonate with Emmy voters. The campaign comes as Sheridan continues to dominate the entertainment landscape with multiple projects in development.
Sheridan is juggling an ambitious slate that includes the upcoming film F.A.S.T., a Call of Duty movie directed by Peter Berg, and a Texas war epic commissioned by the state's Lieutenant Governor. He's also launched two new series: The Madison, a modern Western starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, and Marshals, a direct Yellowstone spin-off led by Luke Grimes. The latter has already become a ratings powerhouse, ousting Tracker as CBS's top show.
Landman itself has quietly become one of Sheridan and Paramount's biggest properties since its debut in 2024. The show's second season was well-received, and a third season has already been greenlit. Production on Season 3 is set to resume next month, with a likely return to Paramount+ before the end of the year. The upcoming season will see Tommy (Thornton) leave the corporate world behind and focus on his family, promising a fresh dynamic for the series.
The Emmy campaign is a strategic pivot for Paramount, which clearly believes Landman deserves a spot among the year's best dramas. With a cast that blends seasoned veterans and rising stars, the show has the kind of gravitas that awards bodies often reward. Whether it can overcome the snub of its first season remains to be seen, but the studio is pulling out all the stops.
For fans of Sheridan's gritty storytelling, Landman continues to deliver the sweeping, character-driven drama that has made him a household name. As the awards race heats up, all eyes will be on whether this neo-Western can finally get its due.
