Hollywood picked a fight — and Billy Bob Thornton didn’t flinch. As critics circle Landman with accusations of excess and caricature, Thornton fires back with something far more dangerous than PR polish: lived truth. Standing shoulder to shoulder with co-star Ali Larter, he tears into what he calls “cartoonish” criticism, insisting these characters aren’t exaggerated — they’re familiar, uncomfortable, and real. Drawn from the oil fields, back roads, and hard lessons of Arkansas and Texas, this isn’t fiction softened for approval. It’s grit without permission. And while armchair critics debate from a distance, Landman keeps pushing forward — unapologetic, abrasive, and powered by performances that refuse to sand down the sharp edges. This isn’t damage control. It’s a line in the dirt. And Thornton has made it clear: cross it if you dare.Billy Bob Thornton Just Went Nuclear To Protect His Co-Star—And Hollywood Is Shaking

Billy Bob Thornton Just Went Nuclear To Protect His Co-Star—And Hollywood Is Shaking.

Billy Bob Thornton has defended his co-star’s “cartoonish” role in new series Landman.

Landman is the latest series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who created the show alongside Christian Wallace. It’s based on Wallace’s own podcast, Boomtown, and follows oil rig executive Tommy Noris (Thornton) as he tries to steer his company to the top amid a fuelling boom.

In the series, Final Destination and Heroes actor Ali Larter plays Tommy’s ex-wife, Angela – and Larter’s performance has drawn criticism from reviewers who described her performance as overdone.
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However, Thornton, who has just received a Golden Globe nomination for his role, disagrees with this notion and, in a new interview about the show, he acknowledged that, while Sheridan has found success with his  TV show empire, he has “had a hard way to go with the critics over the years”.

Thornton, 69, told Deadline: “I mean, he’s such a powerful guy. It’s easy to knock him down. But he’s had the best reviews he’s ever had for Landman.

“Some of them mentioned the women and how Ali’s character may be a little cartoonish or whatever. And I got to tell you, I was raised down there in Arkansas and Texas, and women like Ali exist. It’s hard to look that good, but some of ’em do.

He continued: “I mean, there are women around that Dallas-Fort Worth area who look like models, and they’re just like elbows and eyebrows every minute.”

Ali Larter’s ‘Landman’ role has been described as ‘cartoonish’ (Paramount)

One of Sheridan’s other shows, Yellowstone, is drawing to an end later this month.

*Spoilers for Yellowstone follow below*

The conclusion to the series that follows ranch owners in Montana has been killing off multiple characters, including Kevin Costner’s lead character whose departure from the series has been well documented and mired in controversy.

After the airing of his character’s death, the Oscar winner said: “I didn’t see it. I’m going to be perfectly honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night. I didn’t realise yesterday was the thing.”

In the most recent episode of Yellowstone’s final season, Sheridan himself showed up alongside supermodel Bella Hadid, whom he cast as his girlfriend.

Landman is available to stream on Paramount+