Ali Larter Defends Taylor Sheridan’s Writing Amid ‘Landman’ Backlash

Ali Larter makes a striking return to prestige television in Landman, bringing sharp wit and emotional edge to Taylor Sheridan’s oil-industry drama. Starring opposite Billy Bob Thornton, Larter plays Angela Norris, the unapologetically bold and complex wife of Thornton’s hard-bitten fixer. Known for her commanding screen presence, Larter’s role on Landman marks a notable evolution in her career while matching Sheridan’s gritty, character-driven style. In early January 2025, she explained why she believes Sheridan is bringing “incredible” writing to the table despite the critics. Here’s what she said.

‘Landman’ star Ali Larter says Taylor Sheridan has produced top-notch writing, especially for his female characters

In Landman, Ali Larter’s Angela Norris is a disruptive force who thrives on confrontation and candor in rooms dominated by men and money. Angela’s sharp tongue and unapologetic confidence challenge the power dynamics around her. Through Larter’s performance, the character becomes a mirror for the chaos and excess of the world she inhabits. She balances dark humor with raw vulnerability, making Angela one of the series’ most unpredictable presences.

In January 2025, Larter spoke to Variety about Sheridan’s writing. She’s aware of some of the backlash the showrunner has received for his work and doesn’t agree with it.

“I think it’s incredible that Taylor’s writing for a woman in her late ’40s who’s still very alive in her body, who still wants to be intimate with her husband,” Larter told the publication. “Is that why it’s so confusing to some people? I think that Taylor is a provocateur, and we’d like to put a mirror up to certain things, so I think that’s part of it.”

Larter noted that she loves playing a character who’s as “alive” as Angela. “[Angela and Tommy] kind of feel like they’re in high school again,” she continued. “They’re rekindling this love story, and for me to play a woman who just doesn’t care about all the judgment of others is so freeing….”

Additionally, Larter noted that fans who feel frustrated by the show’s arc should trust the process.

“People only saw the first two episodes, and Taylor loves to throw you a hook,” she explained. “Nobody knew when they saw the first two episodes that our show was really about the family. So, you see this beautiful arc in the first season. He knows what he’s doing and has a vision and an idea for seasons of this show. I think that when you only see one or two episodes, it’s really hard to understand the kind of work that we put in for the entire season.”

The actress ‘loves’ that Taylor Sheridan ‘writes for older women’

Ali Larter has continued to defend Taylor Sheridan’s writing through her time acting on Landman. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she noted that Sheridan wants her character to stay “loud and emotional” on the show.

“I love that Taylor writes for older women — women in their prime, that were still allowed to be alive!” she said.

And Larter pays no mind to those who believe her character is “objectified.”

“Nobody’s putting me in a position that I’m not comfortable being in,” she noted. “I have two children. I’ve been married for 19 years. I love playing this character. If there was something I was uncomfortable with, I wouldn’t do it. What’s more uncomfortable is that people are so uncomfortable by their sexuality.”

Billy Bob Thornton says filming scenes with Ali Larter is a ‘load of fun’

Landman fans adore watching Tommy and Angela Norris’ dynamic — and it’s clear that the actors love filming their scenes together. Billy Bob Thornton told People that filming with Ali Larter as his on-screen wife is a “load of fun” and even reminds him of some of his own past relationships.

“I get flashbacks from my past, every now and then, from various times of my life,” Thornton said, referencing his six marriages.

Thornton went on to explain how he and Larter “had a natural chemistry” when they first met before filming. He also feels connected to his on-screen daughter, Michelle Randolph.

“It’s an amazing crew — best crew I’ve ever worked with — and we have the great words from Taylor, the great story from Taylor,” Thornton noted. “I mean, honestly, I feel blessed every day because of this show. There’s never a day when I’m like, ‘Wow, I wish I could get the hell out of here.’ It never happens. It’s a wonderful place to be.”