Ali Larter has opened up about the most demanding scene she faced during the second season of the popular Paramount+ series Landman, revealing it had nothing to do with wearing a bikini.
The Emotional Core of Season Two
The 49-year-old actress, best known for her role in Heroes, identified episode nine as particularly challenging. Titled 'Plans, Tears, and Sirens', this installment features her character Angela Norris taking her daughter Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph, to TCU cheerleading summer camp.
'I think it was one of the toughest scenes,' Larter confessed in a recent interview with People magazine. 'Angela feels like it's a loss in her life, with her daughter leaving. I have a lot of friends that are empty-nesters, and I have seen those ugly sobs.'
Personal Connections to the Role
The New Jersey-born actress, who now resides in Idaho, brings personal understanding to these maternal themes. She is mother to two children - 15-year-old son Theodore and 11-year-old daughter Vivienne - from her 16-year marriage to actor Hayes MacArthur.
'I've been hearing from all these mamas about being able to see that moment, and that it made them emotional,' said Larter, who serves as a L'Oréal Paris paid partner. 'Because that's the reality of it when you raise these babies, and then they take off and start their life, and who are you? What's your identity without them?'
She elaborated on her character's psychological state: 'I think that Angela doesn't really feel like she has a purpose without her daughter. What is her life going to look like, with her growing up?'
Contrasting Scenes and Co-Star Chemistry
While the emotional departure scene proved challenging, Larter identified her favorite moments as those shared with on-screen husband Billy Bob Thornton. 'My favorite is when I get to have a real, honest quiet exchange between Tommy and Angela,' Larter revealed with enthusiasm.
'I just love that...I live for those scenes because so much of Angela, when I'm playing her, is high stakes, high emotion, something wild is happening.'
Landman's Continuing Success
The series, created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace as a small-screen adaptation of Wallace's 2019 Boomtown podcast, features an impressive ensemble cast including Demi Moore, Sam Elliott, Michelle Randolph, and Andy Garcia.
Paramount+ renewed the Texan oil drama for a third season on December 5, following the second season premiere's impressive performance of amassing 9.2 million viewers in its first two days of availability. Production for the new season is reportedly scheduled to begin this April or May.
Awards Recognition and Personal Milestones
Larter will next compete alongside twelve of her Landman castmates for the outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series trophy at the newly renamed 32nd Actor Awards. The ceremony will air on Netflix on March 1.
Before the awards ceremony, the Varsity Blues alumna will celebrate a significant personal milestone - her 50th birthday on February 28. This professional recognition and personal celebration come as she continues to explore complex maternal themes through her portrayal of Angela Norris, resonating with audiences facing similar life transitions.
