The television series Landman has captured national attention for its raw portrayal of life in the oilfield. For New Mexico and Texas workers and families, its storylines hit especially close to home. Rather than glamorizing drilling operations, the show highlights the unrelenting pace, high stakes, and constant exposure to danger that define this industry. From the long shifts to the unpredictable equipment and the pressure to keep production moving, Landman mirrors the lived experience of countless oil and gas workers across the state.
The show’s insistence on authenticity underscores an important truth: the oilfield remains one of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. While the drama unfolds on screen, the risks it portrays are very real for those who work on rigs, in refineries, or on well sites every day.
The People Behind the Work
What separates Landman from typical television depictions is its focus on the individuals who keep the energy sector running. Each character carries personal burdens, family struggles, health concerns, and financial pressures, and those storylines reflect familiar challenges faced by workers in New Mexico and Texas’s oil-rich regions. The series captures the emotional toll of long-distance commutes, missing milestones at home, and the constant worry about workplace accidents.
By putting a human face on the industry, Landman invites viewers to understand not just how demanding the job is, but how deeply it shapes the lives of those who perform it.
Hazards Brought to Life Through Storytelling
The Physical Dangers of the Job
Whether it’s a blowout, a fall from height, or a split-second equipment failure, Landman does not shy away from illustrating the physical dangers baked into oilfield work. Scenes showing malfunctioning machinery or high-pressure lines echo the types of incidents we regularly see when representing injured workers. These moments serve as a reminder that even with proper training, severe injuries can occur without warning.
The series forces audiences to confront the reality that many of these hazards — burns, crush injuries, toxic exposure, and traumatic accidents stem from preventable safety failures.
Health Risks You Don’t See on the Surface
Beyond the immediate physical threats, Landman also explores the long-term health effects of oilfield operations. In New Mexico and Texas, workers often report exposure to hazardous chemicals, fracking fluids, silica dust, and volatile gases. The show’s handling of these themes is subtle but powerful, emphasizing that injuries are not always visible and may worsen over time. These risks demand more than awareness as they require accountability.
Social and Environmental Costs That Hit Home
Impact on New Mexico and Texas Communities
Landman also shines a light on the communities surrounding drilling operations. Many rural towns in New Mexico and Texas experience the same ripple effects portrayed in the series: economic swings, infrastructure strain, and changes to community identity. Families often feel both the benefits and the burdens of living near oilfield development.
Environmental Effects You Can’t Ignore
The show’s environmental storylines, including oil spills, groundwater contamination, and habitat loss, mirror concerns that we see firsthand in cases involving environmental negligence. While dramatized for television, these issues have real consequences for workers, families, and entire regions.
The Pressure Workers Carry Every Day
Mental and Economic Strain
The psychological weight borne by oilfield workers is another theme Landman handles with care. The show’s characters wrestle with exhaustion, fear, and financial necessity — pressures familiar to many New Mexico and Texas workers who feel they must choose between providing for their families and putting themselves at risk.
When the Story Becomes Real, You Deserve Support
Landman may be fiction, but the dangers it portrays are all too real for oilfield workers in New Mexico and Texas. If you or a loved one has been injured in the oil and gas industry, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Simon Perdue Law is here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Reach out — your clarity and protection begin with a conversation.