‘Landman’ star Mustafa Speaks on working with Billy Bob Thornton on Fort Worth-filmed show
Mustafa Speaks knows the ins and outs of his “Landman” character.
The 39-year-old New Jersey native plays a seasoned oilfield worker on the Paramount+ series. Speaks’ character, Boss, enters the fray in Episode 3 as the new crew chief for Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland).
Throughout the season, Boss has been a mentor and protector to Cooper. However, trouble finds Cooper more often than not, which leads to a call for Boss’ help in Episode 6 (out Sunday).
Ahead of the episode, Speaks spoke with the Star-Telegram about creating his character and working with Billy Bob Thornton.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length and contains spoilers for “Landman” Episode 6 — “Beware the Second Beating.”
Star-Telegram: Mustafa, thanks for the time today. I know you’re originally from New Jersey, so how much did you know about this world of oil before joining the show?
Mustafa Speaks: Not at all. My first introduction to this world was this show. As you mentioned, I’m from Jersey. Being from the city, the inner city like the Booker T. Washington projects, the only thing I knew about oil was gas prices. No idea what went into it, but I just knew that I needed my gas prices to be anywhere between $2 and $4 at the time. Now, it’s ridiculous.
Having the opportunity to be a part of this show, tell this story and then specifically being in Fort Worth. We stayed in Fort Worth, absorbing that atmosphere, seeing what that culture was like and then going into this world of rigging. It was just fascinating to me. Fascinating, still.
ST: The deep world building is one of the most interesting things that Taylor Sheridan does. What’s it like joining one of his projects?
MS: I was such an admirer of his work before ever becoming a part of this world. Actually, I said to my reps a while ago, maybe a year before I got the call for this, “I really would love to partner with Taylor Sheridan.” Because I was a huge fan of “Sicario.” That was, and is, still one of my top films, just because of the entire world.
One of the things I admire most about his work and his writing is the education that he pours into everything he does. While you’re being entertained, you’re being enlightened. I respect that. Then he creates such rich characters.
ST: Speaking of rich characters, I feel like “Boss” is one of those characters that you immediately gravitate toward. His vibe and even attire is so interesting. He wears this neon orange undershirt and has “Boss” carved into his hard hat. Were those details in the script or were those things that you brought into the character?
MS: Yeah, this was something that I had liberty to do. I was able to create the character, create his wardrobe, his vibe, his feel. Taylor did an amazing job at putting him on the page for me. Then I did my job of bringing the other elements to it, understanding who he is, and he signed off on it, which is the main thing. He approved it all, he loved it all. I was able to to really live in him.
ST: I feel like Boss is such a shift compared to the first crew Cooper had in the first episode. That crew was tight-knit and all family members. He joins Boss’ crew in the third episode and they’re not all family. In fact, there’s an antagonizing nature toward Cooper, and Boss has to try and steer the ship so they can do their job. Could you speak to Boss’ relationship with Cooper thus far?
MS: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that’s just Boss. Boss is a nurturer at heart, he’s a protector at heart, he’s a warrior at heart. He understands what went down with that crew and understands what went down with Cooper. He was already curious as to how he could help. But knowing who Cooper Norris is, knowing that he’s Tommy’s son, and he and Tommy are like this. He knows, he loves Tommy dearly. Anytime he had the opportunity to take Cooper up under his wing, that’s what he was going to do. He’s going to look out for him no matter what.
ST: We first meet Boss in the third episode and toward the end of it, there’s a callback to a scene in Episode 1. Boss and crew go get coffee at the Babes N’ Brews, where you think they’ll order four black coffees and be on their way. Instead, Boss orders like a caramel mochaccino and then gets out of the truck to yell at the people honking at him. It seemed like a fun scene to shoot, was it?
MS: [Laughs] Yeah, I’m glad you brought that up because I really enjoyed that scene. The reason why is, because I wasn’t privy to Episode 1. I didn’t know that, that happened with the other guys when I read it. To see how it tied in, and that callback to that joke at the beginning, I was like, “Brilliant. Taylor, bro, you are brilliant at doing that.”
It also established the character in such a way that I could truly appreciate and admire about the work. I enjoyed that scene thoroughly. My co-star in that scene — Brook Sill — she was amazing to work with. She’s gorgeous as well. She gave such passion to that role. Then to be able to be a badass and yell at people on the street, I love it.
ST: I spoke with Jacob Lofland and he said most of the cast had to go through an oil rig boot camp before shooting. I saw that you posted a video of yourself operating a machine on set. It seems like a lot to act, while also operating this machinery. What was that experience like?
MS: Absolutely, that’s one of the things that I appreciated most about this journey and this experience working on Taylor’s project, is what’s called the “man camp.” We had an almost two-week camp, where all of us just got together to fully understand the business. We were in conference rooms, with actual landmen, actual riggers, actual owners of oil rigs, so that we can absorb as much information as possible. Then we got to bond as a unit, as a crew, so that when we did show up on camera, everything was authentic. I loved every bit of it.
ST: It all feels authentic, especially the relationships. There’s a few scenes in Episode 5 with Boss, Tommy and Dale checking rigs. In the interactions alone, it feels like Tommy and Boss have this long working relationship together. Did you, Taylor and Billy Bob talk about the character’s past at all or why they have such a bond?
MS: No, we didn’t talk about that. That’s just the work of Billy Bob and I. We created that for ourselves, created that on set and through the work. I’m glad it translated, I take that as a compliment.
ST: I actually had a chance to speak with Billy Bob in May while the show was filming in Fort Worth. He mentioned the great cast around him, including yourself. What was it like working with him?
MS: It’s a dream come true, man. Honestly, if I could just fan out for a second. I mean, working with Billy Bob was so serendipitous. I remember, and I shared this story with him too, sitting on the couch as a kid with my father, who was a big fan of Billy Bob’s, watching “Sling Blade,” bro. We’re watching “Sling Blade” and I thoroughly enjoyed that movie so much that I used to imitate him. I used to just do that all around the house and my pops was like, “Boy, stop talking like that.” [Laughs] To be sitting across from him, being in a scene with him is just a truly serendipitous story.
But here’s the thing that I want to make sure I share with you about him. He’s just a real one. He’s just a real guy, real dude, cool down to earth, absolutely giving without any pretentiousness or any pretenses. That’s the best part about him and working with him.
ST: There’s scenes in Episodes 5 and 6, where Billy Bob is delivering speeches to characters with you standing next to him. I’m talking about the cartel scene in 5 and Manuel confrontation in 6. I’m curious, as an actor, what are you thinking about in those scenes while another actor is delivering those big chunks of dialogue?
MS: For us, James Jordan and I, who’s also another amazing actor. The brilliance of Billy Bob Thornton is all you have to do is just be there and be present. Because he’s going to tell a story and you’re going to be captivated by that story. He has long monologues and because of his professionalism, a way to internalize it in such a manner that you’re captivated every time.
It’s not going to be the same, even though the lines are the same, it’s not going to be the same way. But then again, as an actor, you do just have to be able to be present and make sure that every moment is a fresh moment, regardless of what’s happening. We had the cheat code with Billy Bob Thornton, because he was telling us great stories every time.
ST: Episode 6 is a big one for Boss. After Cooper is attacked and transported to the hospital, Tommy calls Boss about the fight. Boss springs into action and puts a crew together to go rough up Manuel and Antonio. It doesn’t seem like its the first time Boss has put a crew together for Tommy. Why do you think he springs into action against some of his own crew members?
MS: I mean, that’s just Boss. Boss is a protector. Boss is a nurturer. Boss is going to be there for the ones he loves. He loves Tommy dearly because of their history, because of the relationship that you see. Because of that, he loves his son Cooper dearly, and he’s going to do everything that he needs to to protect him and come to arms for him. When Tommy makes a call, Boss is going to be there. Now, he may have his apprehensions, but he’s always going to do what he needs to do to protect his family. His family is Tommy, Cooper and any other people that he loves.
ST: In that scene there’s a funny moment, well maybe not funny, where Antonio says he’s not going to talk so Boss and his guys take him into another room to get some answers.
MS: Like you said, it’s not the first time Boss had to handle business like that.
ST: This show was filmed in Fort Worth and West Texas. Was this your first time in Fort Worth? If so, what was that like?
MS: First time there and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I spent quite a bit of time there. I love just walking the streets and experiencing the people and the characters walking around with cowboy hats and cowboy boots. I was downtown, so I got a chance to absorb some of that cuisine out there. Just the scenery, it was great. It is a place that I’m going to frequent, I won’t be a stranger.
ST: Did you do anything fun while in town like go to the Stockyards or to a rodeo?
MS: What did I do? Did I have much time to do that? Just sightsee. I didn’t really get to do any of the Stockyards or rodeos this time around. Maybe next time, if Season 2 comes around, I could get to do something like that.
ST: Maybe so, feels like things are going y’all’s way with the Golden Globe nomination. But yeah, I have time for one more question. We’re six episodes into the show thus far, what can you tease about the rest of the season and how Boss fits into things?
MS: Well, for the rest of the season, I would just say be prepared. Be prepared for any and everything. Just remember who Boss is and who he established himself to be in Episode 3 and what his goal is, which is to protect his family at all costs. No matter what he’s going to do that, so stay tuned and just be ready for a ride.
“Landman” airs new episodes weekly on Sundays on Paramount+.
