Ali Larter, the acclaimed actress portraying Angela in Taylor Sheridan's hit drama Landman, has candidly revealed which scenes she finds most uncomfortable to film during production. In a recent interview, Larter admitted that certain moments in the popular Paramount+ series rank as her "least favourite" to shoot, despite their narrative significance.
Challenging Scenes for the Actress
The 49-year-old actress, who plays Tommy Norris's free-spirited yet unpredictable ex-wife Angela in the Texas-based family drama, explained that while her character's tumultuous relationship with Tommy creates plenty of on-screen tension, those aren't the scenes that cause her the most discomfort. Instead, Larter pointed to Angela's frequent appearances in bikinis and other revealing outfits as particularly challenging moments during filming.
"Nobody Wants to Do It"
"I don't think there's an actress alive that's like, 'Woo! Got a bikini scene!'" Larter confessed in her interview with People magazine. "Nobody wants to do it." The actress elaborated that while these scenes are important for showcasing Angela's confidence and character development, they remain her "least favourite" aspects of filming the drama series.
Larter explained the considerable preparation required for such scenes, noting she has to maintain rigorous fitness routines to feel prepared. "Those are the hardest for me. I don't enjoy them," she stated frankly. "It's just part of the story that I'm telling, and I'm an actress, so I get on board. But those are definitely my least favourite."
Building Confidence for Demanding Scenes
The actress further revealed the psychological preparation necessary for filming these revealing scenes, describing how she must overcome personal insecurities before stepping onto set. "No matter what, it's like, I've got to spend all this time fighting off my own insecurities, my own anxiety, to be able to put on that bikini and walk into these scenes," Larter added, highlighting the emotional labour involved in such performances.
Character Context and Series Development
In Landman, Larter's character Angela represents Tommy Norris's complicated past, with the petroleum landman and operations president attempting to mend their relationship after years of separation. Their volatile interactions frequently disrupt the Norris household, particularly during family gatherings that showcase the show's dramatic tension.
The series follows Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Norris as he navigates the Texas oil industry after being fired by his new boss Cami Miller, portrayed by Demi Moore. The second season concluded with Tommy, his son Cooper (Jacob Lofland), and father TL (Sam Elliott) establishing their own company, setting the stage for future developments.
Broader Context of Female Representation
Larter's revelations come amid ongoing discussions about female representation in the series, with Angela's revealing wardrobe choices being just one aspect of this conversation. Tommy's daughter Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph, also wears clothing that leaves little to the imagination, much to her father's discomfort and that of his colleagues living with the Norris family.
Season two introduced additional complexity when Tommy discovered that TL's new physical therapist Cheyenne, a stripper portrayed by Francesca Xuereb, had stayed overnight wearing minimal clothing. Given that Tommy originally hired Cheyenne, future seasons may explore whether this decision leads to regret or acceptance of the body-confident women in his life.
Landman continues to be available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+, with fans eagerly anticipating how these character dynamics will evolve in potential future seasons.
