Ali Larter has run from death in Final Destination, bent minds in Heroes, and gone toe-to-toe with Hollywood heavyweights. But in Landman, her role as Angela Norris may just be her most layered—and most grounded—character yet. As Season 1 garnered critical acclaim and buzz builds for the already-in-production second season (with Demi Moore returning and Sam Elliott joining the cast), Larter sat down with us to reflect on the grit, the growth, and the gear she’d happily steal from the set.
“When I first read Angela, I thought, This woman is steel in heels,” Larter said with a grin. “You don’t fully know who she is at first, but by the end of the season, she’s someone you respect and root for—and that was a journey I loved building.”
Angela Norris exists in a world where power, money, and survival aren’t abstract themes—they’re daily negotiations. Larter embraced the show’s West Texas oil field setting, which she credits with grounding her emotionally in the role. “There’s something about the dust, the heat, the tension in the air. It seeps into your performance whether you mean it to or not. You leave set, but the stakes stick with you.”
Describing Angela as “commanding, resilient, and unexpectedly vulnerable,” Larter said it was that third quality that surprised her most. “I’ve played women who fight to survive, but Angela isn’t just reacting to danger—she’s navigating a world built to shut her out. That’s a different kind of strength.”
Fans of Larter’s past work might expect high-octane action or supernatural showdowns—but Landman offers a quieter, more psychological tension. “This isn’t about monsters or explosions. It’s about people in pressure cookers,” she explained. “There’s something scarier—and more real—about a character who could lose everything with just one wrong move.”
Part of what makes Landman sizzle is its cast, which Larter describes as “a true ensemble in the best sense.” Working alongside Billy Bob Thornton pushed her to new places creatively. “Billy doesn’t act. He inhabits. It’s like he dares you to show up with your A-game—or not show up at all.”
Reflecting on her career, Larter sees Landman as an evolution. “I’ve always played women who fight to be seen, to be heard, to survive. Angela does all of that—but with subtlety, strategy, and real stakes. This isn’t just a new role—it’s a new era.”
Larter is proud of what she has brought to the table with Angela in Season 1 and is excited to build on the story in Season 2. She says, “I want to tell stories about complicated women in impossible situations.”
With the next season underway and the potential of what’s to come stirring up excitement, Larter is already looking ahead. “I’m so excited to explore where Angela goes next. We’ve only scratched the surface.”
Catch up on Season 1 of Landman on Paramount+.
