Hollywood veteran Billy Bob Thornton has launched a stinging critique against major awards organisations, accusing them of deliberately overlooking television programmes created by Yellowstone mastermind Taylor Sheridan for what he describes as "political" reasons.
Oscar-Nominated Actor Defends Sheridan's Creative Vision
The acclaimed actor, who portrays oil expert Tommy Norris in the Paramount+ series Landman, expressed his frustration in a recent interview with Variety. Thornton, who received a Golden Globe nomination for his role last year, argued that the broader snubbing of Sheridan's work stems from misguided assumptions about the creator's personal politics.
"I think a lot of it's political. I really do," Thornton stated emphatically. "I think some people assume Taylor is some sort of right-wing guy or something, and he's really not."
Perceived Conservative Leaning Versus Artistic Reality
Sheridan's expansive television universe, which includes flagship series Yellowstone alongside Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Lioness, has frequently been characterised by audiences and critics as leaning conservative. This perception often centres on their portrayal of female characters and handling of politically charged subject matter.
However, Thornton vehemently disputes this characterisation, insisting that Landman specifically offers an authentic, nuanced depiction of the oil industry and the complex lives of those working within it.
"Even with this show being about the oil business, he just shows you what it's like," Thornton countered. "He's not saying 'Rah, rah, rah for oil'. It's just the people who work in this business or who are affected by this business, the people on the periphery and within the families in the business; this is what happens."
A Pattern of Awards Oversight
The criticism comes amid a notable pattern of awards recognition eluding Sheridan's phenomenally successful productions. Despite its massive popularity and cultural impact, Yellowstone has secured only a single Golden Globe for Kevin Costner's performance as patriarch John Dutton, while being consistently overlooked by the prestigious Emmy Awards.
Similarly, Landman, which recently concluded its second season exploring Tommy Norris's chaotic family dynamics and high-stakes professional life in Texas, has received minimal awards attention beyond Thornton's individual nomination.
Creator's Previous Rebuttals and Future Productions
Sheridan himself has previously addressed these allegations directly. In a 2022 interview with the Atlantic, he expressed bewilderment at the "red-state Game of Thrones" label, pointing to the shows' engagement with themes like Native American displacement, corporate greed, and Western gentrification.
"The show's talking about the displacement of Native Americans and the way Native American women were treated and about corporate greed and the gentrification of the West, and land-grabbing," Sheridan remarked. "That's a red-state show?"
For fans eagerly anticipating more from this universe, production on Landman's third season is scheduled to commence in April or May this year, with the series available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Thornton's Personal Perspective on Accolades
Beyond defending his collaborator's work, Thornton offered a characteristically candid assessment of his own relationship with awards recognition at this stage of his career.
"I'm too damn old now to worry about stuff like that," the actor declared. "I got enough awards. I'm good. I'm sure the people that I work for or work with me don't like to hear that. But I guess when I said I'm too damn old, I guess I'm too damn old to not tell the truth."
This forthright commentary from one of Hollywood's most respected figures highlights ongoing debates about political perceptions influencing artistic recognition within the entertainment industry, particularly for commercially successful television dramas that explore complex, contemporary American themes.
