Andy Garcia, who plays the cartel boss Gallino in ‘Landman’, revealed details about his character’s role in season two.,Garcia discussed his casting, his admiration for show creator Taylor Sheridan, and his hopes for the future of his character and the show.Andy Garcia, portraying the enigmatic cartel boss Gallino in the second season of ‘Landman,’ has offered insights into his character’s intricate role and his collaboration with show creator Taylor Sheridan. In season one’s finale, it was revealed that Gallino was orchestrating events behind the scenes, influencing oil fixer Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton). The second episode of season two further deepened this complexity, exposing Gallino as the secret financial backer of Tommy’s son, Cooper’s (Jacob Lofland), new oil venture.
Despite Gallino’s significant impact on the narrative, Garcia himself has had limited screen time in season two thus far. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Garcia discussed his casting process, which involved a meeting with Taylor Sheridan at his Fort Worth home. Sheridan expressed his desire to write a part specifically for Garcia, drawing parallels to Garcia’s role in the 1980s film ‘8 Million Ways to Die.’ Garcia described Sheridan’s writing as “sublime” and eagerly accepted the role, expressing surprise at the presence of cartel activities in the Permian Basin.
Garcia shared that he had an inkling of a return for season two from the outset, a plan that aligned with the character introductions in the first season, similar to Demi Moore’s role. He acknowledged the dual influence Gallino has on both Tommy and Cooper, stating that while the father and son might be reluctant participants, he himself is not. However, he declined to offer specific details about his character’s future involvement to preserve the element of surprise, referencing a line from the season one finale where Gallino asserts, “Oh, no, we’re gonna be real good friends,” in response to Tommy’s skepticism.
Regarding his presence in the current season, Garcia confirmed his appearance but remained vague about the number of episodes. He also mentioned the casting of Stefania Spampinato as his wife, suggesting a potential expansion of his character’s personal life beyond his direct dealings with Billy Bob Thornton’s character.
Garcia lauded the efficient and visually compelling production of the show, directed by Stephen Kay. He expressed his enjoyment in integrating more with the ensemble cast, including Sam Elliott, though he playfully evaded a direct question about sharing scenes with Elliott. He attributed the show’s success to Taylor Sheridan’s masterful storytelling and the exceptional casting choices, highlighting the synergy between the writing and the actors.
Inspired by the quality of writing and the caliber of actors involved, Garcia expressed enthusiasm for future opportunities within Sheridan’s universe, even mentioning potential involvement in a future project like ‘NOLA King.’ He also indicated his commitment to ‘Landman,’ stating he is “in for the long haul” and prepared for a multi-year commitment, mirroring Billy Bob Thornton’s reported contract. Garcia views his involvement as a “utopian situation for an actor” due to the high-quality creative environment.
Responding to news of Taylor Sheridan’s significant deal with NBCUniversal, Garcia offered congratulations, deeming it “well-deserved” and expressing support for Sheridan’s continued success as a filmmaker. ‘Landman’ releases new season two episodes on Sundays on Paramount+.
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