James Jordan’s character inYellowstone, Livestock Agent Steven Hendon, was quite a hateable role, but his other Taylor Sheridan show character is much better. James Jordan is one of the manyactors who reappear in Taylor Sheridan’s shows, and he’s arguably the popular writer’s favorite collaborator. He appeared inYellowstoneand one of its spinoff shows,1883, along withMayor of Kingstown,Lioness, and two of Taylor Sheridan’s movies:Wind RiverandThose Who Wish Me Dead. Each one of those projects put Jordan in a different role and highlighted some of his versatility, but one character in particularredeemed his awfulYellowstonerole.
Livestock Agent Steve Hendon wasn’t a major character inYellowstone, but he was memorable. A big reason mostYellowstonefans remember Hendon is because he was awful: he killed a teenager while on duty, and he also beat two men to death after being told to scare them off. Steve was such a nuisance that he basically became a tertiary antagonist inYellowstoneseasons 2 and 3, even though he was working directly underneath Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes). While it isn’t Jordan’s fault that Steve was so easy to hate, it was nice that he got a chance to play an infinitely more likable character in another of Taylor Sheridan’s shows.
James Jordan’s Landman Character Is The Exact Opposite Of Steven Hendon In Yellowstone
Jordan Plays Petroleum Engineer Dale Bradley In Landman
Luckily, James Jordan’s character inLandmanwas the exact opposite of Steve Hendon.Where Hendon was cruel, cowardly, and self-centered, Jordan’s petroleum engineer Dale Bradley inLandmanwas kind, brave, and loyal to his friends. In fact, the only time Dale ever used violence inLandmanwas when Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) asked him for help finding the people who beat his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland). Even then, Dale only helped Tommy rough them up a bit, whereas Steve would have abused his power and killed them both himself.
The real sign of how different Dale and Steve were inLandmanandYellowstoneis, paradoxically, how similar they are.Dale and Steve are both oafish people - Dale routinely tried to microwave beans while still in the aluminum can, for example - but Dale comes across as lovable while Steve comes across as loathsome. It’s hard not to like Dale; he’s basically the perfect friend and a great bit of comedic relief inLandman. Conversely, it’s hard not to hate Steve; he’s basically just a thorn in the side of Kayce Dutton for the earlier seasons ofYellowstone.
Landman Is The Perfect Series For Yellowstone Fans
Landman Has Everything That Made Yellowstone So Great: Stars, Drama, Action, Humor, & Great Writing
James Jordan’s characters aren’t the only reason to watchLandmanafterYellowstone, however. In many ways,Landmanis the perfect companion show for fans ofYellowstone. Both are written by Taylor Sheridan, meaning they both have the same compelling and almost soap opera-esque drama fueling each episode.Landmanalso features quite a bit of action as Tommy battles with a local cartel, which is very similar to John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) frequent fights with everyone who wanted his land. In fact, Tommy and John III are extremely similar characters - strong men who take the law into their own hands to protect their families and their businesses.
Taylor Sheridan’s Upcoming and Potential Series and Movies
6666 Yellowstone spinoff
Mayor of Kingstown season 4
Tulsa King season 3
Landman season 2
1944 Yellowstone spinoff
Lioness season 3
Rumored
Landmanmay swap out the soaring Montana mountains for the arid plains of the West Texas oil fields, but it’s still just as good of a neo-Western asYellowstone. Another major similarity between the shows that should appeal toYellowstonefans isLandman’s focus on family. John III was constantly trying to keep his family safe and provide a future for them inYellowstone, while Tommy was trying to heal his fractured family and reconnect with his ex-wife and children inLandman. Actually,Landmanis a much more heartwarming take on family drama thanYellowstone, which may even give it an edge over Taylor Sheridan’s flagship series.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 26, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
Landman
Set in West Texas, this series explores the world of oil rigs and the fortunes they create. It portrays a modern upstairs/downstairs narrative of roughnecks and billionaires, highlighting the profound impact on the climate, economy, and geopolitics in these boomtowns.
