On a weekday morning in Fort Worth, somewhere between a gated driveway and a perfectly trimmed hedge, Stephen Reich did what he has done for years — showed a house, talked square footage, and smiled as he met with his client. The difference this time was the camera crew, the call sheet, and Ali Larter standing beside him as Angela Norris on Paramount+’s “Landman.”
For Reich, a Williams Trew agent with ranch dirt in his blood, it was just another workday — one that millions would soon watch from their living rooms.
“I’ve had the pleasure of doing some real estate transactions with Taylor Sheridan and have got to know him on a personal level,” Reich says over the phone. “He called me one day and said, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about writing you into “Landman.” Would you be opposed to that?’ And I said, ‘Of course not.’ A couple of months went past, and I got a phone call that said, ‘Hey, you need to be on set Monday morning.’”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know Sheridan has turned North Texas into a cinematic proving ground. Fort Worth, especially, has become a recurring character in his expanding universe, less backdrop than co-star. Of all the projects filmed here, none has drawn more attention than “Landman,” the oil-soaked, power-driven drama shot across Cowtown’s most recognizable streets, steak houses, and social corridors.
But Sheridan didn’t stop at locations. He folded Fort Worth people — real ones — directly into the narrative. That’s how Williams Trew, a luxury brokerage firm, found itself woven into multiple episodes of the show’s second season. And that’s how Reich ended up playing, essentially, himself.
Reich appears on screen in episode three, “Hell Has a Front Yard,” alongside Larter and Billy Bob Thornton. The setup is deceptively simple: Angela Norris is house hunting, but the authenticity is unmistakable. The Williams Trew sign stands at the gate to 4400 Overton Crest, and Reich walks her through the property. No acting required.
The local nods started early. In episode one of season two, “Death and a Sunset,” Angela casually tells her husband, Tommy Norris, over dinner, “I’m thinking of using Stephen Reich.” Thornton’s character notes, “He does ranches.” Angela fires back with a snarky line: “If he can find a ranch, he can find a five-bedroom house in Mira Vista.”
It’s not just dialogue — it’s reality. Reich specializes in the kind of properties the show highlights. Raised in a ranching family south of Cisco and armed with an MBA from Tarleton State University, he has built a career since 2008 that has spanned cutting-horse ranches, equestrian estates, and seven-figure residential deals across North Texas, combining ranch-first credibility with city-polished expertise.
The nods keep coming. In episode four, “The Sting of Second Chances,” Demi Moore’s Cami Miller, Birkin in hand, instructs her assistant, “I’m gonna list the house. Call Martha Williams at Williams Trew and ask her to come out.” Williams, the firm’s co-founder and one of Fort Worth’s most respected real estate leaders, doesn’t appear on screen, but the mention lands with weight.
Williams Trew, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, has helped shape Fort Worth’s modern luxury market. Williams herself has spent more than 37 years mentoring agents, setting standards, and quietly defining what residential excellence looks like west of the Trinity.
This type of authenticity helps root “Landman” in Fort Worth lore, which adds to our local pride.
Reich noted that filming took longer than one might expect, but with only a few people in the scene, the process was relatively straightforward. He also spoke highly of the cast. “Ali did a very good job of making you feel like you belonged and put me at ease. I didn’t really have a scene with Billy Bob, just met him there on set that second day, but super nice guy.”
What lingers most isn’t the screen time but the sense of gratitude. Reich circles back to where it all began — a small farm south of Cisco and a career built deal by deal — and the opportunity to appear on the big screen. “Oh, I’m telling you, it is awesome. I’m humbled that it was me, but in the same token, extremely thankful, and it was a great experience.”
As “Landman” Season 2 continues to stream on Paramount+, Fort Worth isn’t just the backdrop — it has become one of the show’s most celebrated stars. For Reich, a small-town Texan with a big career, the opportunity to appear on screen was unforgettable, a moment that combined personal achievement with hometown pride.
“I don’t know that any of us would say that we’re proud, but I will tell you that we all are very thankful for what Sheridan’s done for us,” Reich says. “We’re very appreciative and very thankful to be part of it.”