If you’ve been keeping up with my blog or just love spotting familiar faces in the Taylor Sheridan universe, you know James Jordan is one of those actors who always makes an impact, no matter the size of the role. From Yellowstone’s impulsive Steve Hendon to the comic relief of Two Cups in Special Ops: Lioness, Jordan has become the “Where’s Waldo?” of Sheridan’s world, popping up in nearly every major project. But what’s next for this versatile actor, and why are fans (myself included) so excited to see where he goes from here?
Lioness Season 3: Two Cups Is Back
Season three of Lioness landed on Paramount+ on August 2, and Jordan is back as Two Cups, Tucker’s right-hand man on the QRF team, alongside LaMonica Garrett, Austin Hébert and Jonah Wharton. New episodes land weekly on Sundays, with the finale expected September 20 — Paramount+ hasn’t put out an official episode count, though the first two seasons ran eight apiece. So if you’re reading this mid-season, that’s the short answer to “what’s next” — he’s on your screen right now.
Landman: Dale Bradley, and a Longer Wait for Season Three
Jordan’s other big role is Dale Bradley in Landman, Sheridan’s West Texas oil drama, where he plays a petroleum engineer navigating the moral grey areas of the business with a dry wit that makes him more than the sidekick the role could have been. Season two wrapped on January 18, and Paramount+ had already renewed the show for a third season off the back of record viewing figures. The catch is timing. There’s still no announced release date, and Jordan has said filming shouldn’t start until September 2026 and will run into early 2027 — which puts season three somewhere in 2027 at the earliest.
Season two was also the one where the cast shifted around him. Demi Moore’s Cami Miller moved to the centre of the story after Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller died at the end of season one, and Sam Elliott turned up as Tommy’s father — a casting move that felt overdue in the best possible way.
One thing viewers noticed in season two: Jordan dropped roughly 35 pounds between seasons, enough that “why does Dale look different?” became its own conversation. He’s said it was partly his own health and partly about matching where Dale had landed in the story.
Still a Sheridan Favourite
Jordan’s ongoing collaboration with Taylor Sheridan seems as strong as ever. Since his chilling turn as Pete Mickens in Wind River, he’s become a recurring presence in Sheridan’s projects, including Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown, and Special Ops: Lioness. Sheridan clearly values Jordan’s ability to play complex, often morally ambiguous characters, whether it’s a prison guard, a livestock agent, or a CIA operative. This partnership doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, and given Sheridan’s ever-expanding slate of series and films, it’s a safe bet we’ll see Jordan in more of his work soon.
Beyond Sheridan: Independent Films and New Frontiers
While his most high-profile roles have been with Sheridan, Jordan hasn’t limited himself to just one creative partnership. He continues to take on roles in independent films and other television series, showing the same range that’s made him so memorable in the Sheridan-verse. From thrillers like Those Who Wish Me Dead to indie dramas and even the occasional comedy, Jordan’s filmography is as diverse as it is impressive.
Fan Hopes: What Roles Should James Jordan Tackle Next?
So, what’s the dream for James Jordan’s next chapter? Personally, I’d love to see him take on a true leading role, maybe as a small-town detective in a slow-burn mystery, or as a flawed hero in a character-driven drama. His knack for playing layered, unpredictable characters could shine in a series that gives him even more screen time and emotional range. Given his theatre background and ability to balance humour with intensity, he’d be perfect for a prestige miniseries or even a darkly comic film.
With Sheridan’s new projects always on the horizon (Landman isn’t the only show in the works) and Jordan’s reputation as a reliable, scene-stealing actor, the possibilities are wide open. Maybe he’ll surprise us with a turn in a period piece, or even step behind the camera for a directorial debut.
Join the Conversation
What about you? Which James Jordan character has stuck with you the most, and what kind of role do you want to see him in next? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep celebrating the unsung MVPS who make our favourite shows unforgettable. There’s more of this sort of thing in my Books, TV & Media writing.
Jordan is the rare character actor you notice in the credits before you notice him on screen, and then can’t stop watching once he shows up. Two Cups has the rest of the Lioness season to run, and Dale Bradley will be back whenever Landman finally rolls cameras again. Both shows sit on my TV show power rankings, updated monthly.
