7 Explosive Facts About Cooper Norris Landman: The Character Shaking Up Taylor Sheridan's Oil Empire

The character of Cooper Norris Landman has become one of the most compelling and volatile figures in the Taylor Sheridan universe, thanks to his central role in the Paramount+ series Landman. As of December 2025, the dramatic arc of Cooper Norris—the ambitious, impulsive son of Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris—is dominating conversations about the neo-Western drama, particularly with the high-stakes developments in the latest season. This deep dive will explore the character's journey, the actor who brings him to life, and the latest updates from the Permian Basin.

The confusion surrounding the name "Cooper Norris Landman" stems from the character’s identity as a 'landman'—a professional who researches and negotiates mineral rights in the oil and gas industry. Portrayed by the talented Jacob Lofland, Cooper's story is a raw look at a young man trying to carve out his own legacy in the cutthroat world of Texas oil, often making dangerous, headline-grabbing decisions that have pushed the series' plot into explosive new territory.

The Actor Behind the Ambition: Jacob Lofland's Biography and Profile

While Cooper Norris is a fictional creation, the intensity and authenticity of the character are a direct result of the actor's performance. Jacob Lofland is a rising star in Hollywood, known for his grounded and powerful portrayals. To understand the man bringing Cooper Norris to life, here is a detailed profile of Jacob Lofland.

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• Full Name: Jacob Seth Lofland
• Date of Birth: July 30, 1996
• Age (as of late 2025): 29
• Place of Birth: Briggsville, Arkansas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Primary Profession: Actor
• Notable Early Roles: Neckbone in Mud (2012), Aris in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), and Young Eli McCullough in the AMC series The Son (2017–2019).
• Current Key Role: Cooper Norris in the Paramount+ series Landman (2024–present).
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Varies widely, but generally estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million, reflecting his status as a successful, but still ascending, actor in major film and television projects.
• Career Trajectory: Lofland began his career with a breakout role in the critically acclaimed film Mud, establishing himself as a compelling young talent. His role as Cooper Norris in Landman is widely considered his most significant and complex television role to date, showcasing his ability to handle intense drama alongside industry veterans like Billy Bob Thornton.

The Turbulent Journey of Cooper Norris: From Roughneck to Oil Baron

Cooper Norris’s storyline is a classic tale of a son trying to escape his father's shadow and prove his worth in a brutal industry. His character arc is marked by a series of impulsive, high-risk decisions that have defined the narrative of Landman, especially as the series delves deeper into the corruption of the Permian Basin oil fields.

1. The Roughneck's Baptism by Fire

Cooper Norris began his journey not as a white-collar landman, but as a roughneck—a dangerous, manual labor job on an oil rig. This decision was a deliberate attempt to gain respect and experience in the field, contrasting sharply with his background as a college dropout who left his petroleum engineering degree just two months shy of graduation. His time as a roughneck culminated in a deadly rig explosion that he barely survived, an event that served as a powerful motivator to pursue his goal of becoming a future oil baron.

2. The Impulsive Deal with a Cartel Boss

One of the most shocking developments involving Cooper Norris Landman was his unwitting alliance with cartel boss Gallino (played by Andy Garcia) in Season 1. Seeking a major independent deal to prove himself, Cooper entered into a partnership that quickly landed him in "serious hot water." This storyline highlights Cooper's biggest flaw: his eagerness to succeed often blinds him to the moral and legal consequences of his actions, setting him up for major conflict in Season 2.

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3. The Volatile Relationship with Ariana Medina

The relationship between Cooper Norris and Ariana Medina (Paulina Chávez) was a central, and controversial, element of the series. Their connection was described by actor Jacob Lofland as a form of "trauma bonding," with both characters struggling through their own personal crises. However, the relationship took a definitive turn in Season 2, Episode 2, when Ariana made the decisive choice to end things with Cooper and kick him out of her house. This breakup was a major emotional blow that further isolated Cooper and pushed him toward more desperate decisions.

4. Stepping into His Father’s Shoes (and Troubles)

A key theme of Cooper’s arc is his complicated dynamic with his father, Tommy Norris. While he initially sought independence, Season 2 has shown Cooper beginning to replace his father's role in the oil business, inheriting Tommy's knack for making impulsive, high-stakes moves. This dynamic is the emotional core of the series, showing a generational struggle over legacy, ambition, and the morally grey nature of the Texas oil industry.

5. The Shocking Proposal and its Aftermath

Recent episodes of Landman Season 2 have featured a major twist involving Cooper's "awkward" proposal, as described by Jacob Lofland. This event, which occurs despite the turmoil in his personal life, underscores Cooper’s erratic behavior and his deep-seated need for stability and validation. The fallout from this proposal, particularly in the wake of his split with Ariana, is a major driver of the current season's drama, teasing "major twists still ahead."

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6. The Quest for Oil: Striking it Rich in Season 2

The financial stakes for Cooper Norris Landman were raised dramatically at the start of Season 2. The season began with Cooper successfully striking oil on the land he acquired, a moment of triumph that promised to finally establish him as a formidable player in the oil business. This success, however, is inextricably linked to his dangerous partnership with Gallino, ensuring that his financial victory comes with a heavy price tag of moral and physical danger.

7. The Future of Cooper Norris in the Permian Basin

As the series progresses, the character of Cooper Norris Landman is poised for either a massive downfall or a significant rise to power. His impulsive nature and willingness to take extreme risks make him a highly unpredictable character. He is becoming more powerful, but also more exposed to the dark underbelly of the oil industry. Fans and critics are eagerly watching to see if Cooper can navigate the legal and criminal consequences of his deals to truly become the oil baron he aspires to be, or if his ambition will finally lead to his ruin in the unforgiving landscape of the Permian Basin.