“He wrote the part for me”: Landman Season 2 star Andy Garcia reveals how Gallino was created for him

Aashna
Andy Garcia as Gallino in Landman (Image via Instagram/@andygarcia)
Andy Garcia as Gallino in Landman (Image via Instagram/@andygarcia)

Academy Award-nominated actor and Ocean's 11 legend Andy Garcia finally reprised his character in the latest episode of Taylor Sheridan's Landman Season 2, which was titled 'Almost a Home'. The actor first debuted in Tommy Norris' (Billy Bob Thornton) dangerous world of oil companies back in the Season 1 finale.

Seasoned Landman fans might remember how Tommy finds himself at the mercy of the cartel in the final chapter of the debut season. When all the odds were stacked against our protagonist, Garcia's Gallino made a surprise entrance and shockingly rescued Tommy from the cartel. However, characters can't be trusted too easily in Sheridan's world and Gallino soon revealed his true motives and his plans to enter the oil industry.

The third episode in Landman Season 2 reintroduced Gallino, who is suspiciously operating under a new identity.

In a recent interview with Collider, Andy Garcia was all praise for Sheridan and his co-actor Thornton and revealed how Gallino's character was written for him:

''I know he [Sheridan] wrote the part for me.''

More on this in our story.


Landman Season 2 star Andy Garcia praises Taylor Sheridan's writing

Andy Garcia's Gallino lets his presence be known in Landman Season 2 Episode 3 titled 'Almost a Home'. While the first two episodes of the sophomore season carried whispers about Garcia's enigmatic character, the recently released episode confirmed that he is Danny Morrell, the man running a seemingly 'innocent' bank Sonrisa, that lends money to oil companies.

Landman Season 2 Episode 3 revealed how 'Danny's' bank helped Cooper's new oil venture, making good on Gallino's promise made to Tommy in the Season 1 finale. While Sheridan barely touched the tip of the iceberg with Gracia's exciting introduction back in the Season 1 finale, he feels like the most important addition in the current season.

Andy Garcia certainly pulls off his dual persona of Gallino/Danny with perfection. Each move by Sonrisa is a calculated risk taken by the mastermind behind it, who is likely running his bank as a front for his cartel activities.

Since Landman Season 2 will expand on Andy Garcia's Gallino character, the actor shared behind-the-scenes details about his role and how Sheridan wrote the part specially for him:

''His [Sheridan] characters are so well drawn. They're unapologetic. They're opinionated. They're free. The way he structures his stories, the drama, the stakes in his stories, he's a great storyteller. And I think it stems from his love of film, his knowledge of film, his knowledge of stories.''

Garcia added:

''He has people in mind, or he writes a character, and he says, “I want that actress or that actor. [The part] wasn’t written when we met. He said, “I have an idea about this part. I want to write it for you.” And then you go, “Of course.” That's a blessing that you have someone like that who wants to write for you. So, for me, it was very simple. I said, “I'm all in. Tell me when to start.”

Andy Garcia will have a bigger role in Landman Season 2

Landman fans were shocked by Andy Garcia's debut in the Season 1 finale, as he saved Tommy Norris from the cartel. While the show wrapped the cartel narrative, it's certainly clear that Gallino is a dangerous man.

Gallino's threatening message for Tommy, to become 'friends' and 'coexist,' carried a lot of weight and he is here to make good on all those promises. Now that Tommy has stepped in as M-tex's President after Monty's death in Landman Season 2, Gallino will likely try to secure leverage by the protagonist's new position. Elsewhere, he is also strengthening his control over Cooper and his oil company as Danny, which suggests that Gallino might trap Tommy from all sides before revealing all his cards.

For now, Andy Garcia's presence seems important in the narrative, one that will surely bring more problems for Tommy Norris.

Landman Season 2 releases weekly episodes on Paramount+ every Sunday.


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Edited by Aashna