Mustafa Speaks didn’t need much convincing to join the Taylor Sheridan universe with Landman. Known for his roles in series like Joe Pickett and All American, Speaks was ready to go in a different direction. “I’m originally from the Washington Projects of Jersey City, so I jumped at the chance to learn about the business of oil,” explained Speaks. “It’s a world and a type of work that I know nothing about.”
The role of Theodore “Boss” Ramone appealed to Speaks on several levels. As the head of a roughneck for crew for M-Text Oil, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) trusts him to have his back and take care of his son, Cooper (Jacob Lofland). In addition to “I liked that Boss was a protector and a nurturer,” said Speaks. Speaks admits he always looks for “elements of brotherhood, of protection” as well as the “warrior aspect” in the characters he plays. “As I got to learn more about the project and [Boss], I knew that I’d be able to play Boss in a way that elevates the story overall.”
A self-proclaimed “admirer” of Sheridan, Speaks is happy to report that the experience of working with Sheridan was everything he dreamt of. “As a director and showrunner, [Sheridan] absolutely welcomed the things I was trying,” said Speaks. “[He] helped push me in directions [with the character] that I found curious at times.” Speaks was glad to have Sheridan’s counsel while exploring Boss’ arc this season.
Speaks chatted with Decider over Zoom to discuss his character, the internal “struggle” he deals with after Cooper’s beating, and his reaction to Thornton landing a Golden Globe nomination for the freshman series.
DECIDER: Your career is so eclectic. Seven Seconds, Joe Pickett, All American… what intrigued you about Landman?
MUSTAFA SPEAKS: Taylor Sheridan. I’m such an admirer of his work and the worlds he creates and the characters that he builds. Once I got the call for this and read the script, it was a quick easy “yes” for me. One of the most intriguing things about the project was that it portrays a world and a type of work that I know nothing about. I’m originally from the Washington Projects of Jersey City, so I jumped at the chance to learn about the business of oil.
What was the audition process like?
It was a typical audition process. I did a self-tape audition. Once I submitted it, the strike happened. So, I didn’t hear anything for a while, but for me, that’s the game, right? I just put myself on tape, didn’t hear anything about it, but then I got a call maybe two, three months later saying that I booked the role.
What drew you to the character of Boss aka Theodore Ramone?
Pretty cool name, right? I liked that Boss is a protector and a nurturer. He’s a big brother/ mentor for Cooper Norris, but he’s also like a companion/brother to Tommy Norris. That stuff makes me excited as an actor. You mentioned a few of my previous projects. In all of my roles, I look for elements of brotherhood, of protection and the warrior aspect. I felt those things in Boss from the first read. As I got to learn more about the project and the character, I knew that I’d be able to play Boss in a way that elevates the story overall.
In my other conversations with your cast mates, I’ve been pleasantly surprised that Taylor is only a phone call or a text away. What conversations did you have with him about your character?
I’m glad you asked me that. I’ll give you two instances. The first happened when I read a script for one of the episodes that contained something that I wasn’t too comfortable with. Now, at that time, he and I had not communicated at all. The only connection to the project I had was through my reps sending me scripts back and forth. I shared my concerns with my reps. Immediately, I got a call from Taylor Sheridan himself and he was like, “Hey, what’s up, Mustafa? What’s going on? Good to meet you.”
I was shocked when he said, “I heard you had a concern about one of the scenes. Please tell me about it.” After I shared my concerns with him, he reassured me: “At the end of the day, I’m going to do my best to make sure that you feel comfortable. I’ll even be there on set.” He told me his intentions for the scene and how it was going to go the day of filming and absolutely alleviated my concerns. That type of conversation doesn’t typically happen, especially with someone on Taylor’s level.
The second instance happened my first day on set. Taylor happened to be the director of that episode. I’m trying to understand who Boss is, right? The first time you step into character, you try on some things in a couple of takes. As a director and showrunner, he absolutely welcomed the things I was trying and helped push me in directions that I found curious at the time. He helped me color in the character and elevate my performance.
It’s very clear that Tommy respects and trusts Boss. How did you establish that rapport with Billy Bob Thornton?
Once I got past being starstruck, I found that Billy Bob is just a regular guy. In our first conversation, we talked about life. We talked about the business. We talked about family aspirations. We connected as human beings, which is the most important thing to me. Billy Bob is a real guy. He’s someone you can have a beer or coffee with without any pretense. I truly admired and appreciated that. Our genuine connection just translates on screen.
I spoke to Jacob who reported that the cast went through “roughneck camp” before filming started. How important was that experience to building your character?
It was really important. While I wasn’t previously privy to the world of oil, I do have a background in marine environmental science, specializing in shark behavior. I’m very familiar with geology, geo tectonics, and all of that. However, I had no idea of the toll it took physically to work on the oil rigs in the patch. It was fascinating to hear the stories of the rig workers and their completely different lifestyle. It was vital for me to absorb their knowledge and culture.
I loved that brief scene at Babes N’ Brew when you see just how much the men respect Boss. Did Boss’ drink order, an ice blended mochaccino with two pumps of caramel plus whipped cream, surprise you?
It really took me by surprise because, of course, that’s not a typical drink that you would think a guy like that would order. Taylor really blew my mind with that one because not only was it a great story point, but it also helped establish who Boss is a character.
Boss doesn’t seem phased when the cartel rolls up to the oil rig that he, Tommy and Dale are servicing. Is he used to dealing with guys like that?
Boss has a past. Nothing he’s going to encounter today is ever going to compare with what he had to endure and overcome in his youth. So, when he comes up against the cartel or any other situation, he’s more than prepared to deal with them, especially if it means protecting the ones that he loves.
Let’s get into this week’s episode. I love that brief scene of Boss and his son at home playing video games before Tommy calls him with the news that Cooper has been beaten by Boss’ crew. Do you think Tommy and Boss relate to each other as fathers which takes their relationship to the deeper level?
Absolutely. As men, there’s something instinctual about fatherhood and about protection. So, when he hears that the news about Cooper, it taps something inside Boss that’s primal. He knows what it’s like to have a son. He is on the couch playing video games with his son, but Tommy’s son is in the hospital. He immediately jumps into action when he gets that call.
Boss is so good at his job and with running his crew. Does he feel like he dropped the ball by not seeing how angry Manuel was with Cooper?
Yes, and that guilt is another reason that he feels he needs to be there for Tommy and for Cooper. When he has to get the information out of Antonio about who else beat Cooper, he has to do so by force. There’s another level of guilt there because Antonio, Manuel, these guys are his family.
What was it like filming that sequence in the trailer?
Boss’ struggle in that moment was tremendous. His relationship with his guys, Antonio and Manuel, goes much deeper than it does with Cooper. He just met Cooper. Ultimately, what’s right is right. Boss knows there has to be retribution for their actions.
Will Boss continue to mentor Cooper? Does he feel responsible for him now?
At this point, Boss is wondering: how did I let this happen on my watch? And is this boy going to survive? If he does, what are my next steps? Do I have to rebuild my crew? Do I bring him? Is he even going to be in the business anymore? Do I want to stay in the business anymore because of what I had to do? There are so many questions swirling around heading into Episode 7.
One last thing! This week, Billy Bob received a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a TV drama series for Landman. What was your reaction?
Makes sense [laughs]. That was my reaction, especially knowing the work that he put into the role. He absolutely deserves it. There’s no question about it.