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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ali Larter on playing an 'emotional rollercoaster' opposite Billy Bob Thornton on ‘Landman'
Ali Larter has played a variety of roles in her nearly 30-year career, but none has compared to Landman. "This is one of the most layered, complicated roles and shows I've ever had a chance to work on," she tells Gold Derby. The role "really has stretched me in every single way." The latest series cocreated by Taylor Sheridan, Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, the right-hand man for a powerful West Texas oil executive (Jon Hamm). Larter plays Tommy's ex-wife, Angela, who is first introduced during a FaceTime call while vacationing with her new husband. It doesn't take long for her to make her way back to Texas, where she attempts to reconcile with her ex and rebuild a household with their children, Cooper (Jacob Lofland) and Ainsley (Michelle Randolph). More from GoldDerby Inside 'The Daily Show': From furry friends to political punchlines Get a taste of 'The Valley' (literally) with this food and beer FYC event 2025 Emmy nominations voting: Here's the number of slots in the major categories Larter was immediately drawn to working with Sheridan, who "loves his women to be emotional roller coasters. That to me, as an actress, is so exciting because I'm trying to hold it together for my family and figure out how I'm going to piece this together." She adds, "I love getting to play this woman who lays it all on the line. She wears everything on her sleeve. It's really exciting to get to play somebody that powerful." Sheridan's talents as a writer, Larter believes, extends to his ability to "write different tones within the same show. You just don't see that. That's what makes our show stand out from the rest, and makes it so incredibly original, being able to shift in all these different ways." Sheridan "knows when the audience needs a change" from drama to romance to farce. "He knows when they need to breathe, when they need to laugh, and then he knows when to draw them back in. He's a master storyteller, and it's incredible to get to read each script." So many of the show's tonal shifts revolve around Angela's relationship with Tommy, which is filled with love, spite, regret, tenderness, and laughter. "It's one of those old-school, classic romances," Larter says. As the season goes along, audiences get a glimpse of what initially tore them apart, from Tommy turning to alcohol after his successful oil business goes bankrupt to Angela retreating to a new wealthy husband when she's forced to sell off everything she owns. "I think when you realize what they've been through together, it just shows the depth of their relationship," Larter continues. "That was very important for me to be able to portray in this character." When Tommy and Angela decide to give their marriage a second chance, she does her best to rebuild what was lost, starting with an elaborate family dinner she prepares from scratch. But when Tommy fails to show appropriate appreciation, the usual arguments ensue, and they're back to square one. Angela is "trying everything to show her love," and her husband "just will not give that to her. Tommy keeps cutting her down and doesn't realize that," in the same way he works to provide, "she's giving everything she can for the family, and they're the same amount of energy." When Tommy "demeans her and doesn't really respect how much time and effort she's giving to try and repair their family, it's super sad." The kitchen confrontation between them "was not written to be emotional at that point, but the way that Billy works is we're really living," Larter continues. "That's the beauty of the show. It's not planned out that we're going to laugh here and cry here. We just know that my character wears her emotions on her sleeve, and I have to go onto set and just live and find it, and see where it's going to go." To capture authenticity during shooting, the entire scene — from Angela preparing dinner through her fight with Tommy — was played in continuity from start to finish as opposed to broken up. That way, Larter and Thornton were able to find the right emotional tone for the moment when Tommy "tells her that he sees the effort, but she can't ask that of him. You watch this in scenes over and over, these two people in a messy, complicated relationship trying to find who they are, and who they are together." Ryan Green/Paramount+ That dinner scene gives a glimpse not only into Angela's relationship with Tommy, but with Ainsley and Cooper as well. When Cooper arrives for supper, filthy from oil drilling and yard work, you see "the difference in how she treats her children," Larter explains. "She has her mini me" in the form of Ainsley, "and then she has the son who wants to push you away," which "for me is very real and organic." Yet even though their relationship is strained, Angela shows how quickly she'll be there for her son when he's put in the hospital after getting badly beaten. "That was a really hard day on set for me," Larter recalls. "I had to come in and really fall apart. There was no time to process." Midway through filming the moment when Angela sees her son has been beaten to a pulp, "we broke for lunch, which is the worst in the middle of those scenes." She remembers going to her trailer and crying to Sheridan, saying, "'This scene is horrible, it's not working.' He just had to walk me back off the ledge because I have to be so there in this role, and I have to put myself out there every single day, every single scene, every moment when I'm Angela." Sheridan helped her "really hold my space as this woman" before the cameras started rolling again. For Larter, Landman represents a high point in a career that has included films like Final Destination and TV shows like Heroes. "I'm very lucky to be working at my age," she says. "There are so many peaks and valleys in a career," from years where "the sail is up and you have incredible opportunities," to years where "people aren't interested" because "you're at the wrong age. For me, it was very hard every time I had a child because people didn't want to see me in that way. The pressures of this industry, and what it demands of you as a woman, are really difficult, but I love what I do," and so she would "fight my way back" after prioritizing her family. Landman came along after Larter had spent a few years raising her kids in Idaho, and in many ways, that time away really informed her performance as Angela. "That time with my family unit, and really getting them settled and getting to be very present as a mother, has allowed me to be so bold in this role," she says. "It's never easy to work away from your children and your life, but what's built me for this is I feel like I've made choices in my life that align with my integrity, and the values of how I want to raise my family. Once I have that, I can go and I can play this." Season 1 of Landman is streaming now on Paramount+. SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge on building an aspirational hero — who's not a superhero Jonathan Pryce on the 'great responsibility' of playing a character with dementia in 'Slow Horses' 'Feel good about not conforming': Christina Ricci reflects on her iconic roles, from Wednesday Addams to Misty Quigley Click here to read the full article.
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Landman' star Ali Larter's spring shopping list: cowboy hats, luxe bags
'Angela is a force of nature!' Ali Larter tells Alexa about her sexy and 'unabashedly bold,' quick-with-a-comeback, slow-to-back-down character on 'Landman,' Taylor Sheridan's Texas oil drama. 'It takes a lot of energy to play her! I am game for a debaucherous night, but this woman really walks the walk.' While Larter — who now calls a ranch in Idaho home — might not be lassoing up a bus full of senior citizens to hit up a strip club, like Angela Norris on Season 1 of 'Landman' (now streaming on Paramount+ and available on DVD and Blu-ray May 13), she is a proud mama bear who would do anything to protect her cubs. 'I adore my children [son Theodore, 14, and daughter Vivienne, 10],' says Larter, 49, who had early roles in 'Legally Blonde' and 'Varsity Blues.' 'They serve me up lots of laughs and lessons! They are the greatest things that have ever happened to me.' This Mother's Day, the actress will be away from her kids and husband, comedic actor, Hayes MacArthur, filming Season 2 of her new hit show in Fort Worth. But she looks forward to a do-over celebration with her family bringing her coffee in bed and playing gin rummy, followed by a round of calls to her mother and mom friends, to toast them with some bubbles. 'Billecart-Salmon Champagne Le Rosé, please and thank you,' she says with a laugh. Cheers to the other little luxuries Larter feels any woman would love. 13 Courtesy of Ray-Ban USA 'These are timeless, classic Ray-Bans. I've worn them forever, and I'm sure I've bought a dozen over the years!' FAVORITE KITTEN HEEL: Alaïa Le Coeur Slingbacks 13 Courtesy of Maison Alaïa 'I wanted a sexy little kitten heel for spring — the heart on the toes and the sheer sides are fun, yet elevated.' 13 Courtesy of Everything But Water 'I love a fresh white bikini every summer to highlight my glow.' 13 Courtesy of Jakki Leonardini 'Energy healing sessions are my self-care treat. Jakki Leonardini just helps to calm and ground me through all the pressures of being a working mom.' FAVORITE BAG: Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Purse 13 Courtesy of Bottega Veneta 'This bag is the perfect size and made of the softest leather. Bottegas are my favorite investment pieces. You can see the quality without a showy logo.' FAVORITE BEAUTY: Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream 13 Courtesy of Augustinus Bader 'The eye cream is perfectly rich for night, but I also use it under my concealer in the daytime. It gives my undereyes a good plump!' FAVORITE HAT: Stetson Shasta 10X Premier Cowboy Hat 13 Courtesy of Stetson 'I wear my cowboy hats as sun hats. The more you wear them, the better they get, and I appreciate that they are naturally waterproof. They have definitely become a staple for me, whether I am shooting in Texas or on my ranch in Idaho.' FAVORITE LIP: YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 13 Courtesy of YSL Beauty 'My makeup artist, Georgie Eisdell, introduced this lip shine to me while doing press. It keeps my lips hydrated. I especially like the 'Rosewood Blush' color.' FAVORITE PENCIL: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner 13 Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury 'I line my lips with this after I put on the YSL lip oil. It's a waterproof barrier and gives you a great pout.' 13 Courtesy of L'Agence 'I pair this with a kitten heel, a slide or cute sneakers. You can throw a jean jacket or spring trench over it. And it's perfect for traveling because it takes up no space. It's light as air and great for warmer weather.' FAVORITE CANDLE: Byredo Bibliothèque Candle 13 Courtesy of Byredo FAVORITE CANDLE: 'I can't get enough of this peach-plum-vanilla-patchouli scent.' 13 Courtesy of Olaplex 'My colorist, Tracey Cunningham, put me on to Olaplex years ago. I highlight my hair, and it bonds it to make it stronger.' FAVORITE LISTEN: Mustache Tales Podcast 13 Courtesy of Mustache Tales 'My hubs is pretty darn funny. He and Jay Chandrasekhar interview everyone from Navy Seals to actors to nature photographers.'
