Michael Kelly is set to join the cast of Taylor Sheridan's "Landman" for its third season, taking on the role of William Crockett, an influential oil tycoon. This marks Kelly's second project within the Sheridan-verse, as he currently stars as Deputy CIA Director Byron Westfield in "Lioness." "Landman" is a series set in the world of oil finance.
Kelly's character, William Crockett, is described as the leader of the world's largest oil management firm, embodying efficiency and wealth. This casting comes after Jon Hamm's character, Monty Miller, the owner of the Texas oil company M Tex, was written off the show at the end of season one. Hamm had portrayed Monty, the mentor to the main character Tommy Norris (played by Billy Bob Thornton), who was essentially Monty's right-hand man.
Hamm's Departure from "Landman"
Monty Miller's storyline concluded with his health failing, including multiple heart attacks and bypass surgery. While he initially seemed to recover, a final scene depicted him flat-lining, surrounded by his family, including his wife played by Demi Moore. Hamm confirmed in an interview that his character's fate was not entirely unexpected, citing scheduling conflicts with other projects such as "The Morning Show" and "Your Friends and Neighbors" for Apple TV Plus. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Sheridan and Thornton, noting the show's significant cultural impact.
Hamm reflected on his character's departure, acknowledging that it was his first role in which he was killed on screen. He also discussed the metaphorical resonance of the relationship between his character, Monty, and Billy Bob Thornton's character, Tommy, highlighting how their paths diverged despite starting from similar points.
Michael Kelly has a notable career, including four Emmy nominations for his work on "House of Cards." His other television credits include "The Penguin," "Jack Ryan," and "Pantheon," along with film roles in "Man of Steel," "The Changeling," and "Chronicle."