Andy Garcia has officially become one of the standout faces in Landman, stepping into the intense world of the Permian Basin with a character designed specifically for him. His portrayal of Gallino — a mysterious cartel leader with deep ties to the oil industry — continues to evolve in Season 2, and his on-screen dynamic with Billy Bob Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, is already becoming one of the major talking points of the series.
The latest episode, titled “Almost a Home,” features early sparks between Tommy and Gallino as their odd partnership begins to take shape. While the two characters share tension and suspicion on screen, Garcia reveals that working with Thornton feels completely natural thanks to their long-standing personal connection.
What fans see as hostile energy and power-play moments between Tommy and Gallino is, behind the scenes, a collaboration built on trust, mutual admiration, and years of respect.
A Memorable Entrance as Gallino
Garcia first appeared in the Season 1 finale of Landman, instantly setting the tone for his character’s importance in the storyline. Introduced as a cartel boss who has no problem sparing a man one moment and intimidating him the next, Gallino made an impression when he told Tommy that they would soon become business partners — and perhaps even friends.
In Season 2, that uneasy promise begins to unfold much sooner than expected. When Tommy discovers that Cooper has signed a massive oil deal with Gallino’s investment firm, it leads to a tense confrontation between him and the cartel leader. Their exchange at the Cattlemen’s Club becomes one of the episode’s most gripping scenes.
But while Tommy and Gallino clash on screen, their real-life counterparts have a completely different relationship.
Andy Garcia and Billy Bob Thornton: Friends Behind the Scenes
According to Garcia, stepping onto the Landman set felt surprisingly comforting because of Thornton’s welcoming nature. He describes Thornton as one of the most generous actors he has ever worked with.
“I was embraced first of all by Billy,” Garcia shared. “There’s a mutual respect there. We already had a friendship from acquaintances over the years, so walking onto the set felt like entering a place where I already belonged.”
Garcia added that actors often form quick emotional bonds because of how deeply they must rely on one another to deliver believable performances. Their strongest scenes, he says, come from reacting authentically to the person standing in front of them — and in his case, Thornton made that easy.
A Role Written Specifically for Andy Garcia
One of the most significant reveals from Garcia’s interview is that his character Gallino wasn’t originally part of the script — he was created for him.
Taylor Sheridan, co-creator of Landman and known for building iconic roles tailored to specific actors, approached Garcia before the character was even written. Sheridan told him he wanted to craft a role that would fit his voice, energy and presence perfectly.
Garcia shared that Sheridan was a fan of one of his earlier films, Eight Million Ways to Die, where Garcia played a young, unpredictable drug dealer. Sheridan felt that Garcia could channel some of that intensity and charisma into the older, more calculated Gallino.
“He writes to people,” Garcia explained. “He told Billy Bob he was writing his character in his voice. He wrote Sam Elliott’s character in Sam’s voice. And with me, he understood my persona based on the work he’d seen over the years.”
Sheridan’s intuitive, actor-focused writing process gave Garcia the creative freedom to shape Gallino into someone deeply connected to his own roots.
Creating Gallino’s Caribbean-Inspired Backstory
One of the most intriguing parts of Garcia’s interview is how he helped shape Gallino’s background and cultural identity.
When Garcia asked Sheridan, “Is he Mexican? Is he a local kid?” Sheridan simply answered, “It’s you.”
That answer allowed Garcia to draw inspiration from his own heritage. Understanding the character’s essence, he decided that Gallino should come from the Caribbean — someone who understands both the drug trade pipeline and the oil world from a global perspective.
Garcia imagined Gallino as a man who might have grown up in Miami, with deep connections to South America and the Caribbean. Over time, he would have made his way to Fort Worth, blending into the community while operating beneath the surface.
Sheridan’s only instruction was that the character lives “under the radar” and is already deeply integrated into society. Beyond that, he left the rest to Garcia’s instincts, trusting him to bring authenticity and depth to the role.
Why Gallino Fits Perfectly Into the Landman World
Landman explores the complexities of the oil industry — from small-town struggles to high-stakes international deals. Gallino’s introduction adds a new layer of tension and intrigue.
As a cartel leader with global connections, Gallino represents a shift in the series’ narrative. He brings a sense of danger, unpredictability and sophistication that expands the show’s scope. His involvement in the oil partnership raises questions about power, supply chains, underground markets and the questionable alliances that form in pursuit of profit.
Garcia’s portrayal makes Gallino charismatic, calculating and surprisingly relatable — traits that set him apart from stereotypical cartel portrayals. His character’s combination of business intellect and quiet menace makes every scene he appears in unforgettable.