Jacob Lofland on Cooper’s Big Leap in the Landman Season 2 Finale: “A Lot of Trust”

By the time the Landman Season 2 finale wrapped, Cooper Norris had gone through more life changes in a year than most people manage in a decade.

He struck oil worth millions. Fell in love. Lost that love. Got it back. Faced the fallout of a brutal assault on Ariana. Nearly went down for a death he didn’t cause. 

And then, in a move that reshaped the entire series, was named president of a brand-new company: CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle.

For Jacob Lofland, who plays Cooper, the season was every bit as overwhelming as it looked on screen.

“There’s been a lot of changes this season,” he said with a laugh. “There’s so much going on in Cooper’s life that it’s kind of hard to pinpoint one favorite thing.”

That sense of constant motion — of a character being pushed forward, whether he’s ready or not — is exactly what made the finale land.

Growing Up Fast — On and Off the Rig

When asked what he’s enjoyed most about Cooper this year, Lofland didn’t immediately jump to the emotional milestones. Instead, he pointed to the sheer scale of the work.

“The oil rig blowing up was a lot of fun to shoot,” he said. “And oddly, the scene in [Landman Season 2] Episode 9 with Ariana behind the bar — even though it was such heavy material — we actually came out of that day feeling really good about it.”

But beyond the spectacle, what stood out most was Cooper’s evolution.

“He’s learning,” Lofland said. “He’s just forming how to be a businessman, how to work in this industry, how to navigate the relationship, and now trying to step up as a father figure. There’s a lot happening all at once.”

That learning curve has been central to Cooper’s arc. He started the season riding high after securing valuable leases, only to have reality crash in when it became clear he hadn’t handled the basics — forming a company, securing funding, and understanding the business side of oil.

Looking ahead, Lofland hopes the dynamic between Cooper and Tommy becomes more instructive.

“I hope now that we’re in the position we’re in, Tommy’s going to show him step by step what needs to be done,” he said. “Instead of Cooper just flying blind and taking the best deal he can find.”

Why Tommy Put Cooper in Charge

One of the most striking moments in the finale was Tommy Norris naming Cooper president of CTT — a move that felt less like a reward and more like a leap of faith.

“That says a lot of trust,” Lofland said. “A lot of trust.”

He doesn’t imagine Cooper suddenly knowing everything overnight, either.

“It’s definitely going to take a team effort,” he said. “They’ll be working side by side, figuring this thing out together. Tommy will be helping Cooper take each step of this business.”

There’s also something deeper motivating Tommy’s decision — something the finale quietly underscored.

“I definitely think Tommy senses he’s not going to be here forever,” Lofland said. “Losing Monty, reconnecting with his own father — he understands how precious time is. That’s a big part of why he’s doing this.”

A Family Business — In Every Sense

CTT isn’t just a new company; it’s a new structure for the show itself. The antagonists aren’t people anymore — they’re risk, pressure, and the industry itself.

“It really is a family thing,” Lofland said, extending that definition beyond blood. “Tommy, Cooper, TL, Dale, Nate — we’re really going to get to see how that works.”

He’s hopeful the show leans into that dynamic rather than introducing a traditional villain.

“I’d love to see them on solid ground and working together,” he said. “Let the oil and the business be the challenge.”

As for where things go next, Lofland is as much in the dark as the audience.

“Until Taylor gives us scripts, we really don’t know where this thing’s going,” he said. “But his writing is so spot on — the emotion is already there on the page. He really makes our job easy.”

Cooper and Ariana: Fast, Messy, and Somehow Right

Despite the chaos surrounding them, Cooper and Ariana have remained one of the show’s emotional anchors — even as their relationship moved at breakneck speed.

“For some reason, it just works,” Lofland said. “The chemistry is great. We have a lot of fun with those scenes.”

And yes, he’s aware of the inevitable question looming over them.

“Possibly a wedding,” he said with a grin. “It’s got to happen at some point, maybe.”

Whether it’s one wedding or two, extravagant or dust-covered, remains to be seen — but Lofland clearly enjoys the uncertainty.

Cooper and Ainsley: Sibling Chaos With a Lot of Heart

As much as Landman leans into legacy, business, and survival, some of its most entertaining moments come from the friction inside the Norris household — particularly between Cooper and his younger sister, Ainsley.

On screen, the two are constantly butting heads, trading insults, and pushing each other’s buttons, often with zero concern for timing or tone. Off-screen, though, that dynamic is built on trust.

“We talk about it all the time,” Jacob said of working through the sibling tension. “We’ll be like, ‘Okay, maybe this next scene lightens up,’ and then it’s just — we’re going harder.”

That escalation isn’t accidental. Both actors understand that the chaos is part of what makes the relationship feel authentic.

“We love each other off set,” he added. “We really do. But we have fun with those scenes. They’re enjoyable whenever we get to go at each other like that.”

The friction also serves a purpose. As Cooper steps into greater responsibility — as a partner, a leader, and now the president of CTT — Ainsley remains one of the few people willing to call out his blind spots without hesitation.

Asked how Ainsley might react to Cooper’s sudden promotion, Jacob laughed.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll have some sort of comment to make about it.”

Possibly about his competence — or his hygiene.

“Yes,” Jacob joked. “Or smell something.”

It’s that blend of affection, annoyance, and familiarity that keeps the relationship grounded — even as Cooper’s world grows bigger and more dangerous. No matter how high he climbs, Ainsley ensures he never forgets where he came from.

What Comes Next for Cooper

If he could steer Cooper in any direction moving forward, Lofland’s wish is simple and grounded.

“Definitely becoming more business savvy,” he said. “I just want CTT to be successful. That’s the goal.”

Not power or dominance, just survival — and growth. After a season defined by sudden responsibility and hard lessons, that feels exactly right.

Like Cooper himself, Lofland is content to see where the road leads. “I’m excited to grow him even more,” he said. “And see where we wind up.”

As for how all of this actually unfolded on screen — from Cooper’s near-undoing to Tommy’s last-second pivot and the formation of CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle — we’ve got you covered there, too. 

If you want to walk through every beat of how the Landman Season 2 Episode 10 pulled it all together, head over to our full recap at that link. 

And if you’re more interested in the bigger picture — why the finale worked, what it finally unlocked for the season, and what it set in motion for what comes next — you can dive into our Landman Season 2 finale review as well.

This was a finale that rewarded paying attention.

If you’ve got thoughts about Cooper’s promotion, Tommy’s endgame, or where this family business goes from here, don’t be shy — the comments are open.