Taylor Sheridan’s “Landman”: Introducing Francesca Xuereb as Cheyenne

In the world of prestige television, Taylor Sheridan has established himself as a powerhouse creator. Beginning his career as an actor before transitioning to writing for television, Sheridan’s crowning achievement came with the massive success of “Yellowstone,” which aired from 2018 to 2024. This success allowed him to expand his creative universe through spinoffs like “1883” and “1923,” with more series on the horizon including “The Dutton Ranch,” “The Madison,” and “Marshals.” Beyond the “Yellowstone” universe, Sheridan has created original series such as “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Lioness,” “Tulsa King,” and most recently, “Landman.” This latest project, inspired by the “Boomtown” podcast series, delves into the complex and often turbulent world of the West Texas oil industry, with a particular focus on crisis executive Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, and his complicated family dynamics.

“Landman” introduced viewers to Thornton’s character, a corporate fixer working for oil titan Monty Miller (Jon Hamm). The first season built toward significant plot twists, culminating in a finale that saw Hamm’s character killed off and Tommy named as the new president of M-Tex before being kidnapped and brutally beaten by a drug cartel leader. Though eventually released, Tommy faces a new reality – a forced partnership with the cartel. The second season raised the stakes further by introducing Demi Moore’s character Cami more prominently into the storyline, while other characters including Ali Larter’s Angela, Jacob Lofland’s Cooper, and Michelle Randolph’s Ainsley navigate their own complex dramas within this high-stakes universe Sheridan has crafted.

It was near the end of the second season that viewers were introduced to Cheyenne, a character with an intriguing trajectory – a former stripper who has transitioned to becoming a physical therapist. Played by emerging actress Francesca Xuereb, Cheyenne was hired to help Tommy’s father T.L., portrayed by the legendary Sam Elliott, who was suffering from multiple health conditions. What began as a professional relationship developed into something deeper as the two characters bonded during aquatic therapy sessions and through meaningful conversations, with hints of unexpected chemistry emerging between them. This character introduction has set the stage for potentially significant storyline developments in the upcoming third season.

For Francesca Xuereb, “Landman” represents her first collaboration with Taylor Sheridan, a creator known for maintaining a consistent stable of actors across his various projects, including James Jordan, Barry Corbin, and Graham Greene. Following her debut episode, Xuereb expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing, “nice to finally meet y’all 🩷” and adding that she was “beyond grateful” for the opportunity. Her casting as Cheyenne marks a significant step in her acting career, which, like many in the profession, has had its share of challenges. In an interview with The New York Times, Xuereb revealed the reality of her journey as a working actress – having left restaurant work in 2023 to focus on acting, only to return to waitressing during the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes. With remarkable candor about the unpredictable nature of the acting profession, she shared, “It definitely felt like slowing down, and that doesn’t necessarily feel good,” while also noting pragmatically, “I don’t mind working in the restaurant.”

Prior to her breakthrough role in “Landman,” Xuereb built her resume with appearances in several notable television series and projects. Her credits include roles in “SEAL Team,” the interactive series “Swipe Night,” the biographical drama “Pam & Tommy,” the popular sitcom “Young Sheldon,” the comedy-drama “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” and the series adaptation of “Ted.” These diverse roles demonstrate her versatility as an actress and her ability to work across different genres and formats, preparing her for the complex character work required in a Taylor Sheridan production. With her compelling portrayal of Cheyenne, Xuereb has positioned herself as a performer capable of handling nuanced character development alongside veteran actors like Sam Elliott.

Looking ahead, Francesca Xuereb’s career appears to be gaining momentum. Beyond her continuing role in “Landman,” she has several upcoming projects in various stages of development, including short films and independent features such as “Music on the Bones at the Whisky” and “Sigil.” Her emerging presence in Taylor Sheridan’s creative universe could potentially lead to additional opportunities within his expanding slate of productions, following the pattern of many actors who have become regular collaborators with the prolific creator. As viewers anticipate the third season of “Landman” and the further development of Cheyenne’s relationship with T.L., Xuereb stands poised to bring additional depth and complexity to a character whose unexpected introduction has already added intriguing new dimensions to the show’s narrative landscape.