Sam Elliott’s casting for Landman’s first ten episodes, painting a picture of the titular character’s daily life as he navigates harrowing danger in the explosive oil fields of West Texas.

Tommy’s role will undergo a significant change in Landman season 2, following Landman season 2 will see Norris in charge, and the shift will reportedly elevate Demi Moore’s character, Cami Miller, who plays Monty’s wife opposite Jon Hamm in Landman season 1. 1883 actor Sam Elliott’s addition to Landman is exciting. However, I hope Elliott’s Landman casting doesn’t follow the trend that Hamm started.

I Hope Sam Elliott Isn’t Killed Off Like Landman Season 1’s Big Names

Taylor Sheridan Killed Off Big Names In Landman Season 1

Now that Sam Elliott is part of Landman’s cast, it’s safe to say that he could be in danger, mainly if Taylor Sheridan sticks to what he started in season 1. In Landman season 1, the Yellowstone executive producer drew some notable names, stacking the cast with stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore, Michael Peña, and Ali Larter. However, we quickly learned that no character was safe in Landman season 1, not even the big names that Sheridan pulled for the production.

In Landman's premiere, Taylor Sheridan killed off Michael Peña of American Hustle and Crash fame. His character, Armando, was one of the workers on Cooper Norris’ (Jacob Lofland) crew, who gets killed in an oil rig explosion along with two other family . The accident, which happened on Cooper’s first day in the oil patch, also killed Sons of Anarchy’s Emilio Rivera, who was Luis Medina in the pilot. Since they seemed like mainstays, killing off the Landman characters in one blow, along with their relative, Elvio (Alejandro Akara), was inconceivable.

And yet, Taylor Sheridan continued the trend with Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller. As Landman season 1 progresses, Monty’s health declines as stress builds due to the fallout of elements of his operations, primarily losing three million dollars to Ariana Medina (Paulina Chávez) and her relatives. When Monty suffers a heart attack, we can see that he’s at death’s door. Still, it’s shocking to witness the demise of Hamm's character after such brief screen time. Hopefully, Sam Elliott's reunion with Billy Bob Thornton will have more substance than Hamm and Peña.

How Sam Elliott Can Escape Landman Season 1’s Trend

The Cast Could Settle Into Place In Landman Season 2

Sam Elliott may avoid a quick death, with his character becoming a mainstay. It could be that Hamm and Pena’s deaths were needed in Landman season 1 to set up the overall tone and story for the saga, and that Elliott will step into a role that’s intended to last several seasons. If things are settling into place in Landman season 2, then Elliott’s character could be a permanent fixture. Elliott could take over for Thornton as M-TEX’s landman, and he could stay in the role if Tommy stays president.

While it would have been great to see more of Jon Hamm, his role in Landman season 1 has a complete arc and a purpose. After the finale, it appears that Sheridan always intended to make Landman. In that case, season 1 was needed to set up her story, showing what’s at stake for Cami as she takes over the company. Monty’s death also set the stage for Tommy to take over as M-TEX's new president. We will know for sure what Sheridan has in store for Landman season 2 in November.