Michael Kelly is joining Landman for its third season, and Nicole Kidman played a surprising role in helping him secure the opportunity. The actor recently revealed that a simple suggestion from his Lioness costar encouraged him to contact Taylor Sheridan, eventually leading the creator to develop a character specifically for him.

During an appearance on One On One with Kris Fade, Kelly explained that his interest in the hit Paramount+ drama began after he took part in a photo shoot for Rivay, a men’s clothing company owned by his friends.

“I had done this photo shoot for my friends who own a men’s clothing company called Rivay, and I wore a cowboy hat,” Kelly recalled.

The look made him imagine himself in Sheridan’s West Texas-set series. Since he was already working with Kidman on Lioness, he decided to show her the photograph and share his interest in joining Landman.

“I was like, ‘I want to be on Landman,’” he said. “I showed Nicole, and she was like, ‘Send it.’”

Nicole Kidman’s Encouragement Led to an Unexpected Opportunity

Although Kelly already knew Sheridan through their work on Lioness, contacting the prolific television creator was not something he normally did.

“I texted Taylor, and we don’t text,” Kelly explained. He described Sheridan as an exceptionally busy writer responsible for an impressive volume of television work.

Kidman’s encouragement nevertheless convinced him to take the chance. After sending Sheridan the photograph, Kelly put his phone away and returned to filming a scene with his costar.

When he checked his messages afterward, he was stunned by what he saw.

“I come back, I pick up my phone. I was like, ‘Oh, my God,’” he recalled.

The initial exchange did not immediately result in a role. Instead, Kelly received another unexpected message from Sheridan approximately six months later.

“He texted me, ‘Can you talk?’” Kelly said.

He showed the message to his wife, who urged him to respond. “Call him,” she told him.

Kelly wasted no time calling Sheridan, who had some exciting news: he had figured out how to bring the actor into the world of Landman.

“He’s like, ‘I figured out how to get you in Landman,’” Kelly recalled. “I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ He’s like, ‘No.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’”

Sheridan had created a new character for him, turning what began as a casual expression of interest into a major career opportunity.

“This great new character that he wrote for me, and I just, again, beside myself,” Kelly said.

Michael Kelly Will Play Oil Industry Leader William Crockett

Kelly is set to join Landman as a series regular in its upcoming third season, portraying William Crockett, the leader of the world’s largest oil management firm.

According to the show’s official character description, Crockett is a powerful businessman and industry titan known for his wealth and efficiency.

The casting marks another collaboration between Kelly and Sheridan, whose Paramount+ thriller Lioness also features Kidman, Zoe Saldaña and Morgan Freeman.

Kelly has built an extensive television career, including his role in House of Cards, which earned him four Emmy nominations. He has also appeared in The Penguin and Jack Ryan.

What to Know About Landman Season 3

Created by Sheridan and Christian Wallace, Landman explores the fortunes of oil workers, corporate leaders and billionaires navigating the booming energy industry in West Texas.

The series stars Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter and Sam Elliott, among others. Kelly’s addition introduces another prominent character to the show’s increasingly expansive oil-industry landscape.

While Kelly’s cowboy-hat photograph initially served as little more than a playful expression of interest, it ultimately helped open the door to a new role. The actor described the experience as difficult to believe, even after learning that Sheridan had written a character specifically for him.

“It’s one of those pinch-me moments,” he said.

Landman is available to stream on Paramount+.

Source: Compiled from various sources