Billy Bob Thornton Confirms Real-Life Billionaire Tycoon Cameo In Landman Season 2
On ESPN’s Manningcast, Landman star Billy Bob Thornton said billionaire Cowboys owner Jerry Jones nails his season-one cameo — because he’s telling his own story.
If you were wondering how Jerry Jones ended up stealing a whole scene on Landman, Billy Bob Thornton just explained it on ESPN's ManningCast. And yes, Season 2 is coming up fast, with some familiar faces back and a few new complications waiting in West Texas.
Jerry Jones on Landman: How that cameo happened
Jones showed up as himself in Episode 9 of Season 1, 'WolfCamp,' visiting Jon Hamm's Monty Miller in a hospital and delivering a straight-from-the-heart, four-minute story about his life and career. It was one of those blink-and-wait-what moments that actually worked because it felt real.
'I was not surprised, because he was actually telling his own story. I mean, if it had been scripted in a way where he had to say every line, it might have been different. But he was actually telling the story of his life. So if you just ask somebody, sit down and tell it — and he got teared up. I mean, he was very, very good. If you can get a non-actor to be themselves, they're better than actors.'
That was Thornton on ManningCast, explaining why Jones nailed it. Honestly, it tracks: have a non-actor do something they actually live and breathe, and the camera usually does the rest.
For those keeping score: the cameo aired January 5. Jones, of course, is the owner, president, and GM of the Dallas Cowboys. The bit did more than trend for a night, too — Apex Marketing Group estimated the Cowboys pulled in over $1 million worth of equivalent brand value from that four-minute TV moment, per Sportico. That checks out when you remember Taylor Sheridan is tight with the Jones family. He’s a regular in the family suite at Cowboys games, and they even teamed up in the Cowboys' 2023 schedule release video. A neat little behind-the-scenes connection that explains a lot.
Will Jerry Jones be back in Season 2?
No word yet. His Season 1 appearance was a one-off cameo, and there is zero confirmation he’ll return. If he does, great. If not, makes sense — that first drop-in was lightning-in-a-bottle stuff.
Season 2: Release date, cast, and what it’s about
Landman is back on Paramount+ on Sunday, November 16. Billy Bob Thornton returns as Tommy Norris, and the show is stacking the deck again with a busy ensemble. A new trailer landed a few days ago, teasing bigger confrontations for Tommy as Demi Moore’s Cami positions herself to run the oil business.
- Back for Season 2: Billy Bob Thornton
- Also appearing: Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, James Jordan, Colm Feore
Story-wise, the setup is clear: oil’s coming out of the ground, but the secrets are coming with it. Tommy’s close to a breaking point, squeezed by M-Tex Oil, by Cami Miller, and by family baggage. Survival in West Texas isn’t noble here — it’s nasty — and something’s going to give.
Bottom line: Jones turning up again would be fun, but Season 2 doesn’t need the novelty. The show already looks like it’s tightening the screws on Tommy from every direction. See you November 16.