Jacob Lofland reflects on difficulty of filming with co-stars Landman’s

Jacob Lofland was starstruck filming his first scene alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Sam Elliott in Landman’s second season. 

Already thrilled to play the son of Thornton’s character, Tommy, Lofland says having Elliott join as his grandfather, T.L., “was even more surreal.”

The Nov. 16 premiere introduced Elliott’s character in an assisted living facility, with viewers learning about his wife Dorothy’s death, Tommy’s mother, and Cooper’s grandmother. 

Lofland’s Cooper accompanied his father and grandfather onscreen, highlighting the family tensions and his character’s distant relationship with T.L.

“It was hard to act,” Lofland tells PEOPLE. “Honestly, the first take, I probably had just the most dumbfounded look on my face. I was sitting, watching these two legends do amazing things in front of me.” 

He added that it took him out of the scene, then he realized, "Oh, I got to say something. Hold on."

Lofland praises the energy Thornton and Elliott bring to set. “There’s a thing in the air when those guys are around,” he says. 

Costar Paulina Chávez, who plays Cooper’s love interest Ariana, agrees: “Seeing the three of them together is so beautiful and so cool.”

For the Arkansas native, working with both actors is a dream come true. 

“If we didn’t think it was cool enough, let’s bring more legends!” Lofland laughs, noting how Thornton offers guidance while remaining humble, making the experience “absolutely amazing.”

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