Ali Larter on the Honor of Portraying Angela Norris in Landman

      Taylor Sheridan may possess a true Midas touch. Everything he pens seems to transform into gold—well, actually, into streaming television success—beginning with the cultural sensation Yellowstone, a $3 billion franchise that generated two successful prequels (1883 and 1923) and rejuvenated the Western genre. The writer, producer, director, and actor has established his own "Taylorverse," which now features two additional blockbuster hits for Paramount+: Tulsa King and the star-studded Landman, which delves into the perilous landscape of the booming oil industry in West Texas. The latter was just renewed for a third season after its viewership surged by over 260% from the premiere of season 1 to season 2. What’s Sheridan's secret? Ali Larter has her thoughts. The actress joins our Zoom call from her luxurious bed in Idaho. Following a promotional tour for Landman season 2 that took her through three countries and seven hotels, there’s no place she prefers right now than nestled in her own bed dressed in "sweaties"—a chic white set—as she unwinds for the holidays.

      In her role as the fiery Angela Norris in Landman, the mother of two and spirited wife to Billy Bob Thornton's cynical Tommy, Larter has won over women everywhere, with many praising her character for being bold and unapologetically herself. Larter shares that one of Sheridan's fundamental elements is crafting incredibly dynamic and authentic women with whom people can identify globally. It’s also why the 49-year-old was so determined to land the role; it's not often that older women are portrayed as daring and sexually confident as Angela is on screen. Larter adds both flair and a heart of gold as the show's matriarch.

      In our latest Portrait Sessions, we discuss with Larter her connection to Angela, her dynamic with Thornton, and her '90s Calvin Klein-inspired looks for her recent promotional tour.

      You've mentioned how hard you fought for your role in Landman. Why was being part of the Taylor Sheridan universe so appealing to you? I think he's an exceptional storyteller. I have great respect for him for stepping away from Hollywood to carve his own path and for taking risks by just writing—demonstrating a trust and belief in himself to live as an artist and narrate the stories he wanted to share. That’s incredibly rare and difficult to achieve in our industry, where many people contribute their ideas, often dulling a vision.

      With this show and character, it was thrilling for me to portray a bold woman my age, who is both provocative and broken. He writes scenes that incorporate intense comedy and nearly satirical moments, followed by deeply simplistic scenes... As an actor, this challenged me in myriad ways and pushed me to the next level. I didn’t anticipate that, but working with such talented individuals makes you rise. My scene partner… Sharing the screen with Billy most days, along with everyone—Michelle [Randolph], Jacob [Lofland], Demi [Moore], Andy [Garcia], Sam Elliott… Collaborating with him this season was a dream. … He assembles the very best crew, and everyone is just fully engaged and performing at their highest level. Being in that environment as an actress has been remarkable.

      What do you believe resonates with audiences regarding his storytelling? Clearly, it’s effective. I think it begins with exceptionally dynamic characters. Everyone has a messiness to them. When I refer to brokenness and flaws, he always highlights that while also providing pure entertainment. It's not merely a prestigious drama aimed at winning countless awards only to be seen by a limited audience. He connects with viewers in a way that is remarkable. The biggest surprise for all of us was that our small show, set in a remote part of West Texas, became an international sensation. It's hard to put into words; we feel humbled and astonished, and I attribute this success to his portrayal of families that everyone can relate to. Notably, in our show, he's incorporated an unprecedented range of tones. Transitioning from a serious, intense romantic moment to a satirical scene to an action sequence really keeps viewers engaged—that's his storytelling technique.

      It keeps us viewers alert, and it keeps all of you actors on your toes. Angela is such a vibrant and enjoyable character. What appealed to you about her when you first read the script? When I initially auditioned, it was just four pages featuring the initial FaceTime scene, and even within that, there’s this playful dynamic. Angela and Tommy are constantly engaged in some sort of game, and you can never tell if it will end in conflict, laughter, or affection. I found that to be an authentic representation of relationships—not following a single trajectory, but a rollercoaster of emotions.

      I think I ended up auditioning with 19 pages, and what mattered most to me was performing the significant monologue in episode 3