As the second season of Taylor Sheridan's gritty Paramount+ drama Landman hurtles toward its finale, fans are gripped by speculation over the fate of one of its most beloved characters: T.L., played by veteran actor Sam Elliott. The episode, titled "Tragedy and Flies," is set to air on January 18, 2026, and its ominous name has sparked widespread debate about whether T.L. might meet a dramatic end, much like a key character in the show's first season. With T.L.'s storyline steeped in themes of aging, mortality, and family ties in the rough world of West Texas oil rigging, viewers are left wondering if the series will deliver another shocking twist.
Landman, which premiered its second season in November 2025, follows the high-stakes lives of landmen navigating the volatile energy industry. This season introduced T.L. as the estranged father of protagonist Tommy Norris, portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton. Initially residing in an assisted living facility amid various health struggles, T.L. relocates to Tommy's home, bringing a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. According to reports from Us Weekly, T.L.'s vulnerabilities— including mobility issues that often require a wheelchair due to problems with his knees and hip—have been central to his arc, prompting frequent reflections on life's fragility.
Throughout the season, T.L.'s presence has woven poignant moments into the show's otherwise intense plotlines. In one memorable episode, Tommy believes his father has passed away during a nap, only to discover he is still alive, heightening the tension around the character's precarious health. This near-miss has fueled online discussions, with fans dissecting clues that might foreshadow a permanent goodbye. The finale's title, "Tragedy and Flies," evokes imagery of death and decay, reminiscent of the harsh environmental and personal battles depicted in Sheridan's storytelling style.
Precedent from the first season adds to the uncertainty. Jon Hamm's character, Monty Miller, was billed as a main player when Landman debuted in late 2024 but was killed off in the season finale, leaving audiences stunned. Showrunner Sheridan, known for his unflinching narratives in series like Yellowstone and 1883, has a track record of eliminating major figures to underscore the perils of his rugged worlds. As one entertainment analyst noted in a recent Variety piece, "Sheridan's finales often pivot on loss, making no character truly safe."
Sam Elliott, at 81 years old, brings a gravitas to T.L. that resonates deeply with the role's themes. In an interview with ExtraTV earlier this year, Elliott revealed he is contracted for two years on the series, a detail that has sparked divided interpretations. Some speculate this guarantees T.L.'s survival through Season 3, while others posit it could allow for posthumous appearances via flashbacks, a technique Sheridan has employed in past projects. "That could mean T.L. isn’t in real danger yet, or it could hint that he will die but return in flashback form," Us Weekly reported, capturing the ambiguity.
Elliott's collaboration with Sheridan marks a reunion from their work on the 2021 prequel 1883, where the actor played Shea Brennan, a tough trail boss. Speaking to Variety in November 2025, Elliott shared his approach to T.L.'s storyline: "[With T.L.’s story line], it’s just on the page. I had time to think about it. I just wanted to be open to whatever comes my way." He emphasized the organic nature of the emotional beats, adding, "When you have that kind of material, you don’t look at a piece of material, or at least I don’t look at a piece of material, and say, ‘I’d really love to cry here,’ or, ‘Really love to make the audience cry,’ or whatever. It just has to come naturally."
The actor's enthusiasm for Sheridan's writing shone through in the interview. "One of the great gifts about Taylor’s material is that it just allows that kind of emotion to flow," Elliott said. "I spent a good part of my time in tears this entire season, so it wasn’t something I expected, but it’s just something that happened." This vulnerability contrasts with Elliott's iconic rugged persona, seen in films like The Big Lebowski and Tombstone, making T.L. a compelling evolution in his career.
Drawing parallels between T.L. and his own life, Elliott connected the character's affinity for the land to his personal experiences. "I’ve spent a good portion of my life growing up in the outdoors, and there’s something about Taylor’s material that I feel like it hinges on that in some respect," he told Variety. "That really speaks deeply to me. It’s this man connected to the ground, what comes up out of the ground." Though Landman is set in the modern oil fields rather than the historical frontiers of 1883, Elliott noted lingering elemental ties: "It’s certainly not like 1883 where we’re out in the elements and all that all the time, but there’s something about what I value personally."
"It’s like where I live. I live on the western end of Malibu. I’ve been there for 50 years with my wife and daughter. That takes me away from L.A. completely, and it’s a choice I’ve made. It’s probably not the smartest choice in terms of pursuing a career in the movie business."
Elliott's reflections extended to T.L.'s physical and existential struggles. "There’s something about this guy sitting in a wheelchair at 81 or 82 years old, however old he is, watching the sun go down," he said. "I mean, I don’t know how much more to say about it than that. There’s a reason for that." The actor highlighted T.L.'s poetic musings on the landscape, as depicted in episode 2: "He’s drawn to that, and he talks about it... the light and the dust and the heat and the lack of moisture and the things we hate about that country. It hates us all day, and then it gives us this sunset. Those elements speak very, very strongly to me."
These insights underscore how Elliott's portrayal elevates Landman's exploration of aging in a unforgiving industry. T.L.'s interactions with Tommy, marked by reconciliation and regret, mirror broader themes in Sheridan's oeuvre, where family dynamics collide with economic pressures. The oil-rich Permian Basin setting, with its dust-choked rigs and boom-bust cycles, provides a stark backdrop for T.L.'s decline, amplifying the speculation around his fate.
While no official spoilers have emerged from Paramount+ or the production team, the two-year commitment from Elliott offers a sliver of hope for T.L.'s longevity. Related reports indicate that several stars, including Thornton, are confirmed for Season 3, though details on Elliott remain vague. Fans have taken to social media, with hashtags like #SaveTL trending as the finale approaches, reflecting the character's impact just months into his introduction.
Sheridan's history with character deaths— from the brutal exits in Yellowstone spin-offs to the poignant farewells in 1883— suggests the finale could go either way. As one reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter put it, "Sheridan thrives on unpredictability, turning speculation into must-watch TV." Whether T.L. survives or not, his storyline has already enriched the series, blending Elliott's authenticity with the show's raw energy.
Looking ahead, new episodes of Landman continue to stream Sundays on Paramount+, building anticipation for the January 18 conclusion. If T.L. does perish, it could ripple into Season 3, potentially exploring Tommy's grief amid ongoing industry turmoil. For now, audiences await the reveal, drawn by the same elemental pull that captivates Elliott himself.
In the broader landscape of prestige TV, Landman's blend of action, drama, and introspection positions it as a Sheridan standout. With a cast featuring talents like Thornton, Hamm (in flashbacks, perhaps), and now Elliott, the series has solidified its place in the streaming wars. As the finale looms, one thing is clear: in Sheridan's Texas, tragedy is always just a sunset away.