In a jaw-dropping twist that has rocked the Landman fandom, Paramount+ just confirmed that Jon Hamm will not return for Season 2 — and in a casting move few saw coming, Hollywood legend Sam Elliott is stepping in to fill the void. The announcement, made via the show’s official channels, sent shockwaves through social media as fans processed the sudden departure of one star and the equally explosive arrival of another.

Jon Hamm, who portrayed Robert Kincaid, the ruthless and sharply dressed energy investor introduced in Season 1, quickly became a standout character due to Hamm’s trademark charisma and cold precision. While his role wasn’t initially a lead, Kincaid’s growing influence in the cutthroat Texas oil world suggested his storyline would expand significantly. Which makes the recasting — or more accurately, the removal — all the more shocking.

According to inside sources, Hamm’s exit wasn’t due to creative differences, but rather a scheduling conflict with multiple film commitments in 2026, including two prestige projects that have been quietly filming in Europe and Australia. While fans may be disappointed, the network’s replacement choice has lit a different kind of fire under the production.

Enter: Sam Elliott.

Known for his commanding presence, gravelly voice, and long history of playing iconic Western and frontier characters, Elliott isn’t taking over Kincaid’s role. Instead, he’ll portray a new character: Cal Ransom, a grizzled ex-rig foreman with deep roots in the Permian Basin and an old-school mentality that clashes with nearly everyone around him.

“Cal is the past clawing back into the present,” showrunner Taylor Sheridan said in a press statement. “You don’t bring in Sam Elliott unless you’re ready to stir the pot with dust, blood, and gravel.”

Elliott’s character is rumored to have ties to Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), possibly as a former mentor — or rival — who reemerges after a decade in self-imposed exile. Word has it Cal carries both secrets and regrets, and his return will trigger ripple effects across nearly every major storyline in Season 2.

Fans are already comparing Cal Ransom to some of Elliott’s most beloved characters — from his role in 1883, another Sheridan creation, to his Oscar-nominated performance in A Star is Born. If anything, this casting decision may elevate Landman’s prestige, pulling in viewers who admire Elliott’s legacy of tough, emotionally resonant roles.

Reaction Online Has Been Intense

On Twitter, #SamElliott trended within minutes of the casting news. One fan wrote:

“Sam Elliott in Landman? Inject it straight into my veins. This is how you upgrade a cast.”

Another posted:

“Still mad about losing Jon Hamm but this is such a baller move it’s hard to stay mad.”

Meanwhile, fan forums erupted with speculation over how Elliott’s Cal Ransom will fit into the existing power structure. Will he side with Tommy Norris in the brewing war against Elijah Grant (played by new cast member Giancarlo Esposito)? Or will he carve his own path — a dangerous wild card amid the show’s escalating corporate and personal conflicts?

What This Means for the Show’s Tone

With Elliott’s entrance and Hamm’s exit, some observers believe Landman Season 2 will pivot even harder into its Western noir aesthetic. The first season already dabbled in rustic brutality and moral ambiguity, but Season 2, according to teasers, is expected to lean more into themes of legacy, masculinity, and moral collapse.

Elliott’s Cal Ransom — with his weathered stoicism and no-nonsense worldview — represents the old-school oilman Sheridan grew up around. “Cal doesn’t text. He doesn’t Zoom. He shows up at your door with a 30-year grudge and a six-pack,” said a writer attached to the show. “He’s not here to play politics — he’s here to clean house, or burn it down.”

That’s a sharp contrast to Kincaid, whose slick business acumen and political savvy made him a modern oil villain. So while Hamm’s departure leaves a void, Elliott fills it with a completely different energy — one that might be even more volatile.

Production Adjustments and Script Changes

Sources close to the writers’ room say scripts were revised quickly but not drastically following the casting switch. “Kincaid’s arc was already limited by Hamm’s availability,” an insider said. “When it became clear he wouldn’t return, they wrote a powerful exit for him — and brought in Cal Ransom to pick up the narrative torch in a different direction.”

There’s no word yet on how Kincaid’s character will be written out — whether he’ll die, vanish, or be otherwise incapacitated — but showrunners have promised the transition will feel “organic and earned.” Rumors point to a possible off-screen betrayal that sets the stage for Cal’s first major confrontation.

Taylor Sheridan’s Stamp All Over It

Fans familiar with Sheridan’s work know he’s unafraid to shake things up mid-story. From Yellowstone to Mayor of Kingstown, Sheridan has repeatedly pulled unexpected casting moves — often killing off characters, swapping out actors, or introducing legends like Kevin Costner or Harrison Ford to dominate entire story arcs.

Elliott’s addition follows that same pattern: a big-name veteran stepping in to deliver gravitas, grit, and unpredictability.

What To Expect From Elliott’s Performance

If early reports are to be believed, Elliott’s performance as Cal Ransom will be among his finest in years. One crew member said, “His first scene made the entire set go silent. He wasn’t acting — he was the character. You felt the oilfield history in his bones.”

Expect Cal to be at the heart of some of Season 2’s most explosive scenes — not just physically, but emotionally. Whether he’s confronting Tommy, challenging Elijah, or forming an uneasy alliance with Aimee Wechsler (Michelle Randolph), his presence will shift the show’s power dynamics in surprising and dangerous ways.

Final Thoughts: Change Is Coming

While Jon Hamm’s exit is a blow to those who loved the elegance and tension he brought to Landman, Sam Elliott’s arrival injects the series with fresh energy and gravitas. In many ways, this unexpected casting shake-up reflects the themes of the show itself: nothing is stable in oil country. Power changes hands. Old titans fall. New legends rise.

With Season 2’s release around the corner, one thing’s clear: Landman isn’t just back — it’s bigger, bolder, and rougher than ever. And with Sam Elliott riding into the chaos, fans better brace themselves for a storm of dust, fire, and unforgettable drama.