Guy Burnet’s Engineering the Drama
If someone had told British actor Guy Burnet a couple decades ago that he’d trade his football boots for Texan boots and start talking “frac jobs” and “flowbacks,” he probably would have grinned and made a cheeky remark. Well, here we are. For Season 2 of Landman, Burnet isn’t just trading the Queen’s English for a Texas drawl — he’s also diving headfirst into the oil patch as Charlie Newsom, a role that’s turning more than a few heads.
From The Queen’s Land to Oil Country
Let’s rewind a little. Guy Burnet, born on August 8, 1983, started out thinking he’d make his name in professional football. He trained at the legendary Queens Park Rangers Football School and even chased the dream across Europe. But as fate (or divine TV intervention) would have it, he wound up wandering into drama instead of a locker room. He hit his stride on the British soap “Hollyoaks,” and boy, did he hit the ground running.
Burnet joined “Hollyoaks” in 2002, landing the part of Craig Dean. His character’s journey got folks talking, especially thanks to a storyline that boldly tackled a same-sex romance — a big deal in the early 2000s for British soaps. His performance stuck with viewers and critics alike, and Burnet didn’t waste time soaking up the applause. Instead, he packed his bags for bigger adventures, heading across the pond where even more unpredictable roles were waiting.
Hollywood’s New Brit in Town
Blink, and you’ll spot Guy Burnet on American screens. After his whirlwind UK exit in 2007, Burnet quickly landed gigs in some of the most buzz-worthy TV series around:
- In “Ray Donovan,” he brought a gritty edge to the show.
- Showtime’s “The Affair” let him flex dramatic muscle.
- Starz’s mind-bending “Counterpart” proved Burnet could juggle complicated plots and multiple realities.
- And don’t forget Amazon’s edgy “Hand of God,” where he tapped into darker territory.
Burnet didn’t stop with TV. He waltzed into “Pitch Perfect 3” for comic relief, then suited up for the box-office behemoth “Oppenheimer,” the Christopher Nolan flick that conquered theaters and awards lists worldwide. There, he caught the eye as George Eltenton, sharing scenes in a film stacked with heavyweights.
Besides, if you’re someone who likes quirky sci-fi, you might have spotted him in “Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams.” The guy doesn’t shy away from weirdness or challenge.
Enter: Charlie Newsom, Oil’s Most Charming Engineer
Now, for 2025, Burnet’s circling back to TV. Except, he’s not brooding in the rain-drenched streets of London — he’s stomping through West Texas and the eye-wateringly complex world of oil. “Landman,” Parmount+’s high-stakes drama helmed by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, has already drilled deep into corporate greed, environmental mayhem, and post-pandemic business.
Season 2 ramps things up. Burnet’s Charlie Newsom isn’t just any engineer. He’s the guy who knows industry lingo better than most Texans and can go toe-to-toe with Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris. Newsom brings a new flavor to the series — a character bristling with charm, savvy, and enough oil patch know-how to make a roughneck nod in respect.
How Does a Brit Sound Like a West Texan?
Here’s where things got interesting (and probably a bit hilarious). To nail this role, Burnet had to ditch his British accent — the same one that made him beloved back in his “Hollyoaks” days. Instead, he jumped into hours of dialect training, picking up that rural Texas twang and memorizing the kind of oil jargon most Londoners have never even heard. Words like “downhole,” “spudder,” and “frack” are now part of his toolkit.
But accent isn’t everything. If you’re going to pull off a believable engineer in this high-stakes world, you can’t say “drilling log” like you’re reading from a script. Burnet reportedly met with real-life energy workers, hung out on drilling sites, and even watched walkthroughs of rig operations. He dove into technical language and procedure, pushing past mere memorization and into the “speak-it-by-heart” category.
In interviews, Guy joked about not knowing a “Christmas tree” from an actual holiday decoration before signing on, but now he can explain how it controls the flow of oil. Now he uses phrases like “pressure blowout preventer” as easily as he used to recite “Hollyoaks” lines.
A Life Outside the Limelight, Too
Guy Burnet isn’t a one-note performer. That footballer’s heart? It never left. He’s kept fit and competitive, regularly taking part in charity football matches whenever filming schedules allow. Plus, he took up boxing and directed a documentary about British featherweight champion Derry Mathews. So, if you catch him in a local gym shadowboxing between takes, don’t be surprised.
He’s also a regular on the red carpet and makes waves in social circles for both his sharp looks and easy, self-deprecating wit. While he’s not one to blab about relationships or splash personal life all over the press, he’s built a reputation as an approachable celeb who actually knows how to laugh at himself.
What Fans and Critics Are Saying
Not surprisingly, the news of Burnet’s casting in “Landman” Season 2 has set fan forums buzzing. Some longtime Burnet-watchers are thrilled — finally, their favorite ex-soap star is getting a role with some real dirt under its nails. On Reddit and social media, folks point out his knack for picking roles that zigzag across genres. He refuses to be typecast, which makes him the kind of actor you want in a sprawling, unpredictable drama.
Industry insiders, meanwhile, say casting Burnet as Charlie Newsom feels inspired. He’s got the kind of on-screen presence that draws viewers in but keeps them guessing. When mixed with the unpredictable world of West Texas oil and an all-star cast, this new energy just might shake up the show.
Looking Ahead: Why Burnet’s Texan Turn Matters
Sure, Hollywood churns out British actors with American accents all the time — but it’s not every day you see one master the greasy, jargon-filled heart of the Permian Basin. Burnet’s preparation for Landman aligns with Taylor Sheridan’s vision: every character should feel authentic, right down to how they say “pump jack.” And with the oil industry at the core of season two, authenticity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the price of admission.
Burnet brings a little edge, some humor, and a sense of possibility to Charlie Newsom. He’s not just another outsider parachuting into Texas. He’s someone who might just win over the old hands, even as he butts heads with the powerful Tommy Norris.
- So, what’s next?
Fans are itching to see Guy face off against Billy Bob Thornton. There’s talk of big confrontations and even bigger stakes as season two starts drilling into deeper, stickier plots. Will Burnet’s Charlie become a hero or a cautionary tale? Time (and a lot of spilled oil) will tell.
Why Burnet Makes This Season Unmissable
If you’ve been watching Guy Burnet’s career from the start, none of this comes as a shock. He’s always taken risks, tackled unexpected characters, and slipped from blockbusters to indie dramas with whip-smart ease. Now, with “Landman,” he’s adding one more feather to his (probably very dusty) hat.
Keep both eyes peeled this August when “Landman” Season 2 premiers. Chances are, you’ll come for the oil but stay for Burnet’s Texas-sized turn as Charlie Newsom. In the wild world of Landman, that’s just about the best energy play you can make.
So, grab your boots, pour some sweet tea, and buckle up. Because the British invasion is coming to West Texas, and this time it’s all business — with just enough Burnet charm to make the rigs shake.
