Wade Allen won’t just choreograph a brawl — he’ll throw you into the dust, toss sparks overhead, and make you actually feel the grit under your boots. With “Landman” smashing its way through the Paramount+ lineup, Allen leads the charge behind every fistfight, oil rig explosion, and heart-pounding escape. See, Allen doesn’t just coordinate stunts — he builds living, breathing worlds where getting it right can mean the difference between a great scene and a trip to the ER. For Season 2, “Landman” cranks the dials even higher on danger — and you can bet Allen’s stunt team is right at the center of all that mayhem.
The Brains Behind the Bruises
Let’s start with some basics. Wade Allen? He’s no rookie. Born in 1972, he’s spent more than two decades refining the fine art of getting actors to look both heroic and, frankly, terrified. His resume? Oh, just a couple of heavy-hitters — Ever heard of Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Michael Mann, or even Kevin Costner? Allen’s worked with every one of them at some stage. On top of that, he landed two Emmy Awards in back-to-back years (2022 and 2023) for stunt coordination on HBO’s “Barry.” That’s a flex you bring up at dinner parties.
- More than 25 years in the stunt world
- Two Emmy wins for Outstanding Stunt Coordination (“Barry”)
- Experience on everything from “Heat” to “Inception”
But don’t let the trophies fool you; Allen’s happiest when he’s ankle-deep in dust, grease, and the sheer adrenaline of a well-planned chaos.
How Wade Allen Got Roped Into the Oil Patch
When Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace decided to bring “Landman” to life, they needed someone who could nail the wild energy of Texas oil fields. Sheridan, of course, is the guy behind “Yellowstone,” so expectations were sky-high. They didn’t just want action — they wanted the kind of action that left you sweating even while sitting on your couch. Enter Wade Allen, stunt legend and all-around adrenaline wrangler.
In a gutsy move, Allen set up what they called a “roughneck camp.” Instead of just running scenes on a soundstage, the team shipped the main cast out to real oil fields. Yes, actual oil rigs, actual grease stains, actual sunburns. Jacob Lofland (who plays Cooper Norris), along with all the other bold-faced names, learned the ins and outs of the rigs. They slung tools, braced against the wind, and came away with a few bruises — and a boatload of respect for everyone doing this job for real.
Inside the Camp: Making Actors Feel the Heat
The idea behind “roughneck camp” wasn’t just to toughen up the cast. Wade Allen and the “Landman” stunt crew wanted every move to feel lived-in. They focused on:
- Drilling safety 101 (no fingers lost, thank you very much)
- Handling actual rig equipment, not rubber props
- Real emergency protocols, because stuff explodes
And it paid off. Every time you see someone clinging to a ladder or yanking a lever, it’s not just acting. It’s muscle memory combined with raw nerves — the kind of movement that only comes from someone who’s had their hands on cold steel. Even better? The actors who thought they’d be sipping lattes were suddenly knee-deep in mud, and the realism shows up in every close-up.
Explosive Moments: Oil Rig Disaster, Stunt-Style
Remember that oil rig explosion in “Landman”? It felt so real you half-wondered if Paramount+ had actually blown up half of West Texas. Guess what? Wade Allen and his special effects wizards made that fireball look as authentic as possible without endangering a soul.
First, Allen worked closely with local fire departments. They scouted locations, mapped the wind, and even ran fire safety drills until everyone could recite them backwards. On shoot day, the team rigged up controlled fireballs and layers of smoke, blending practical effects with a sprinkle of movie magic. The result? Every shot crackled with danger, but nary a singed eyebrow among the cast. It’s a wild ride to watch, knowing how much of that chaos happened right there in camera.
Brawl Room Brawls: No Faking Allowed
It wouldn’t be “Landman” without at least one good old-fashioned Texas barfight. But Allen knows audiences can spot fake punches miles away. So, he dived in with intensive rehearsal schedules. Every punch, table smash, or beer bottle whack was plotted out like a chess game.
Here’s how he keeps it real:
- Extensive pre-fight training for the cast
- Micro-managing stunt angles so actors sell impacts without real risk
- Rotating doubles in for the messiest falls and tumbles
Actors, like Lofland and a handful of tough-as-nails supporting players, raved about the process. According to behind-the-scenes interviews, Allen ran them through their paces until “muscle memory took over.” When that burly bouncer swings for the jaw, you want everyone in the room to believe it hurts.
Staying Safe in a World Built for Risk
You might think a show built on explosions and fights would rack up quite the hospital bill. Not on Allen’s watch. Safety sits at the core of his philosophy. He’s been clear about strict safety meetings, clear communication, and trusting only experienced stunt professionals for the wildest jobs.
But Allen’s also the guy to call out any on-set shortcut. He’ll delay a shot if the wind shifts the wrong way. He’ll pull his team out if anyone looks tired or distracted. No excuses, because one bad call can change everything in a split second.
To top it off, Allen holds a special place in the stunt community because he insists the cast understands the ‘why’ — not just the ‘how.’
Critics Still Find the Nits to Pick
Now, “Landman” aims hard at realism, and Allen’s stunts do the heavy lifting there. Still, a few eagle-eyed oil pros pointed out stuff that didn’t match real-life drilling — maybe an extra lever, or a crew member handling gear differently than the roughnecks would. But, hey, Hollywood’s not a documentary, and even the harshest reviews agree the chaos feels terribly genuine, overall.
On social media, fan buzz around the explosions, fights, and wild maneuvering routinely tags Allen as the unspoken hero behind the carnage. Some have even called for an Emmy nod just for the oil rig sequence alone. And who could blame them?
Gear Up: What’s Coming in Season 2?
With “Landman” officially greenlit for its second run, Allen faces a fresh round of adrenaline-pumping challenges. The creative team teased even bigger, messier oil disasters and more up-close, dirty work for the actors. Teaser photos from filming show complex rigs, menacing clouds of fire, and Allen in the thick of it — adjusting harnesses, consulting with firemen, and barking instructions through a megaphone.
He’s already mentioned in interviews he wants to raise the bar again, both for safety and spectacle. So, if you thought you’d seen chaos before, buckle up. Season 2’s about to lift the stakes, and Allen’s got every intention of turning those big Texas skies into a stuntman’s playground.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Rumors swirl about an underwater well accident (Allen’s prepping the team with special dive drills)
- New cast members to shake things up, requiring even more intense training
- Allen’s growing team of local stunt performers, eager for a shot at TV’s wildest oil field job
Why Allen’s Stunt Work Sets Landman Apart
Other shows might use CGI to fake a near-miss or a hard landing. Allen prefers sweat, training, and a fast hand on the safety harness. That dedication earns respect on set — and it keeps viewers glued to their screens.
But, probably most important, Allen gives his team and the actors that precious combination of thrill and trust. It’s the reason none of “Landman’s” stunts ever feel hollow. Oil sprays, earth shakes, and when the fists start flying, you know you’re watching something built on hours of practice — not just clever editing.
Get Ready for the Ride
When you settle in for “Landman” Season 2, pay close attention to those moments where chaos looks too real. That’s Wade Allen’s signature — expert hands turning danger into art, and never letting the safety net drop. With Hollywood buzzing and the stunt community cheering him on, Allen is set to shape “Landman’s” most explosive season yet.
And if you ever wondered how much grit, sweat, and caffeine it takes to survive a day in West Texas — or to survive one of Allen’s stunt sequences — just watch what happens next. Buckle up, “Landman” fans. The best mayhem’s yet to come.
