The first Newport Beach TV Fest brought an exciting lineup of talent to Southern California, with one of the standout panels featuring the cast of Landman.
Cast members Billy Bob Thornton (Tommy Norris), Andy Garcia (Gallino), Ali Larter (Angela Norris), and Jacob Lofland (Cooper Norris) were in attendance as the series received the 2025 Outstanding Drama Series Award.
The event took place at the historic Lido Theater, adding a timeless backdrop to a celebration of modern television storytelling. Held over four days from June 5–8, 2025, the festival brought together industry talent, creatives, and fans for panels, screenings, and discussions.
Set in the booming oil towns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day story of ambition, risk, and fortune in the high-stakes world of oil rigs. The series is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace.
Billy Bob Thornton on “Playing Yourself” in Every Role
During the panel, Billy Bob Thornton shared an insightful perspective on acting that resonated with both aspiring performers and longtime fans:
“It’s like this—when you look at a role as something separate from you, like it’s a mountain you have to climb, you start talking about the character as someone over there. But that’s not how it works. If you put yourself into the character, that’s when you do your strongest work.
I’ve played a lot of different roles, but they all have a piece of me in them. Whether it’s Sling Blade, Monster’s Ball, or The Man Who Wasn’t There, there are always elements of my own life that come through—sometimes even things from my father.
If you try too hard to ‘play a character,’ it can feel like you’re pretending. But when you’re being yourself in those situations, it becomes more real—and ultimately better.”
Billy Bob Thornton on Working with Taylor Sheridan
Thornton also shared insight into what it’s like working under creator Taylor Sheridan:
“One thing about Taylor is that he knows exactly what he wants—and you really appreciate that. There’s not a lot of discussion on set because you already know why you’re there. He puts the right people in the right spots, and we don’t spend time rehearsing.
He likes things to feel fresh and raw. The discussions happen beforehand, so once we’re rolling, it’s time to go. If someone starts talking about the psychology of their character in the middle of a take, it’s too late—you should already know that.
So in a way, we’re just thrown into the fire, and that gives the show an energy you wouldn’t otherwise have. Everything is very focused—one, two, three, go.”
Ali Larter on Embracing the Pressure
Ali Larter opened up about the intensity of working on Landman, describing it as one of the most high-pressure environments she has experienced. She explained that the fast-paced production—with multiple cameras rolling and minimal rehearsal—requires actors to quickly find their footing within each scene. Despite the pressure, she described the experience as a “gift,” allowing the cast to explore their characters organically and discover moments in real time.
While the first season felt especially intense, Larter shared that over time a strong sense of trust developed—particularly working alongside Billy Bob Thornton—giving her confidence that they would always find their way through each scene. For her, portraying a character who is both bold and deeply vulnerable, combined with Taylor Sheridan’s layered storytelling, made the experience both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Jacob Lofland on the Physical Demands of the Role
Jacob Lofland spoke about the intense physical demands of playing Cooper Norris, noting that the role required significant preparation. The cast participated in a week-long “roughneck camp” to become familiar with working on real oil rigs—something he emphasized was entirely practical, with no green screen involved.
He credited stunt coordinator Wade Allen and the stunt team for keeping him safe during physically demanding scenes, from climbing rigs to performing falls. While some moments were intimidating, Lofland shared that the preparation and support on set made it manageable, with many of the most intense sequences happening quickly and efficiently.
Andy Garcia on Joining Landman
Andy Garcia shared how he came on board the series, explaining that the opportunity came through a mutual agent who arranged a meeting with Taylor Sheridan in Fort Worth. Garcia recalled being told that Sheridan was interested in writing a role specifically for him. After visiting Sheridan at his home, the meeting naturally evolved into a collaboration, ultimately leading to his role in the series.
A Memorable Closing Moment
As the panel wrapped up, Billy Bob Thornton left the audience with a heartfelt reflection:
“I have to say, every day when I wake up, I feel blessed. I wish I had some crazy dirt to say about the show, but I don’t. That’s the truth. All these people here on this panel will tell you that—we don’t have problems on this set because we don’t bring that energy into it.”
His sincerity underscored the strong camaraderie among the cast and crew. Just before the Outstanding Drama Series Award was presented, Thornton paused the moment and asked if they could take a few questions from the audience, joking about his OCD. It was a small but meaningful gesture—one that showed how much he genuinely cared about connecting with fans and making the experience more personal.
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