An unexpected character from Yellowstone may hold the key to uniting Taylor Sheridan’s TV universes — and Landman is the perfect place for his return.

A New Chapter for Sheridan’s Universe?

As Landman continues its gritty climb in Taylor Sheridan’s western TV empire, fans are asking a big question: will this oilfield drama ever cross over with Yellowstone? For now, the two shows exist in separate story worlds. But that might not last much longer.

One minor figure from Yellowstone’s pilot episode — Craig Martin — is suddenly standing out as the perfect link between the two. He may not have had much screen time back then, but his role could grow into something much bigger in Landman.

The Oil Magnate Everyone Forgot

Craig Martin, portrayed by Christopher May, made his brief debut as the CEO of IL Energy. He was the unfortunate recipient of one of Beth Dutton’s most ruthless business takedowns. In a single brutal scene, she dismantled his company with surgical precision — and viewers never saw him again.

But Sheridan rarely introduces a character without a purpose. With Landman diving deep into the world of Texas oil drilling, Martin’s background aligns perfectly. He’s a seasoned oil executive, now free from the corporate shackles that Beth forced on him.

Martin & Tommy: A High-Stakes Texas Collision?

Landman follows Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a seasoned oilfield negotiator navigating cutthroat contracts in Texas. Imagine this: Craig Martin, seeking redemption or simply a new empire to build, arrives in Texas and locks horns — or joins forces — with Norris.

It’s a compelling prospect. Both characters represent different ends of the energy industry’s power ladder. One is a corporate survivor with scars, the other a ground-level hustler with grit. Their meeting could ignite a major arc in Landman’s future.

Rip, Beth, and Texas Ties

There’s more. In Yellowstone Season 5, Rip Wheeler travels to Texas for ranch business — foreshadowing possible crossover moments. With Rip and Beth heading into their own spinoff (rumored to be Texas-based), the idea of running into Craig Martin again isn’t so far-fetched.

Beth’s past humiliation of Martin could return to haunt her — or perhaps they find themselves uneasy allies in a bigger oil war. Sheridan loves circling back to old wounds. This could be one of them.

The Buyout That Sets Him Free

Ironically, Beth’s forced buyout of IL Energy might be the very thing that opens the door to Martin’s second act. Stripped of power but not experience, he could head south and rebuild — not as a victim, but as a rival force in the oil world of Landman.