Ali Larter’s portrayal in Taylor Sheridan’s nuanced depiction of female empowerment in Landman continues to spark heated conversation as filming for season two unfolds in Fort Worth, Texas. Despite initial backlash accusing the show of objectifying women, Larter asserts that her role explores the complex dimensions of womanhood, a theme that is only set to deepen in the upcoming season.
Ali Larter Embodies Complexity in a Challenging Role
A decade ago, few would have predicted that Ali Larter—once recognized for her memorable “Varsity Blues” scene—would serve as the moral anchor in a Texas oil drama like Landman. But as she returns for season two, Larter once again steps into Angela Norris’s shoes, defying critics who previously dismissed the character as overly sexualized and shallow. Filming is underway in Fort Worth, where Larter stands at the heart of Taylor Sheridan’s creative vision, ready to challenge perceptions and deepen her character’s layers.
Sheridan, well aware that his female characters would be debated, deliberately wrote Angela Norris as a multifaceted force, not a supporting accessory to Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy. He envisioned her as
“loud and emotional, like a tornado of energy,”
a quality that Larter fully embraces. Angela is not simply an alluring figure—she is a woman facing the pressures of aging, holding her family together, and eventually discovering purpose by connecting with residents at an elder care home. These experiences, Larter emphasizes, reveal a character who is, “very multi-dimensional..” —Ali Larter, Actress
Throughout the show, Angela juggles ambition, frustration, love, and vulnerability, all while navigating society’s scrutiny. It is precisely this balancing act that sets Angela apart as a fully formed individual instead of a simplified archetype.
Taylor Sheridan Anticipates the Conversation on Empowerment
Sheridan did not leave room for ambiguity about his intentions. The early cultural conversation about Landman criticized its handling of female characters such as Angela Norris and Ainsley for supposed objectification. Yet as Larter recalls, Sheridan incorporated these critiques into the foundation of the series, constructing characters whose stories were packed with contradiction and realism.
“This is Taylor’s baby. Anytime I would take my foot off the pedal, Taylor was on step. He wants her loud and emotional, like a tornado of energy. The way he envisioned this show is that it has so many tones.”
—Ali Larter, Actress
This approach means characters like Angela transition seamlessly from glamorous moments to emotional breakdowns, reflecting real women’s lives. Sheridan resists the temptation to spell out empowerment in obvious ways, preferring instead to let empowered moments arise out of tension, challenge, and vulnerability.
“This character is a full rainbow.”
—Ali Larter, Actress
Through Sheridan’s lens, female empowerment does not come in a single, easily digestible form. Rather, it emerges from the constant interplay of confidence, uncertainty, aging, and ambition. If some viewers focus only on the dazzling surface, Larter and Sheridan suggest, they risk missing the deeper, stormy truth beneath.
Ali Larter Confronts Controversy with Assurance
When the show faced accusations of reducing Angela to an object, Larter chose not to retreat or respond with defensiveness. Instead, she responded boldly to the criticism, turning it on its head.
“I’m also like, ‘Objectify me. C’mon.’ [Laughs] Nobody’s putting me in a position that I’m not comfortable being in. 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.”
—Ali Larter, Actress
Larter’s reaction is unwavering—she stands by her choices and refuses to let critics define her or her character. With years of personal and professional experience, she asserts both agency and pleasure in portraying Angela. Her performance disregards the artificial boundaries society places between sensuality and seriousness. Through Angela, Larter demonstrates that a character can be unapologetically enticing and still carry deep emotional weight.
Angela Norris exists on her own terms, never limited to a binary category of “serious” or “sexy.” Larter’s confidence extends past the screen, as she resists simplistic expectations for female representation. Her grounded moments with Thornton’s Tommy further highlight the chemistry and realism of her portrayal.
“If I didn’t have the really grounded moments with Billy, it would be a different show for me.”
—Ali Larter, Actress
Larter’s ability to bring vulnerability and fire to Angela underscores why she resonates with audiences who crave authenticity, not one-dimensionality.
The Broader Impact: Female Characters Reimagined in the Sheridan Universe
Ali Larter’s Angela Norris joins the roster of fierce, flawed women that populate Sheridan’s narrative world. Alongside characters like Beth Dutton—herself famous for combining explosive emotion with complexity—Angela illustrates the modern woman’s struggle and triumph on screen. Sheridan’s shows do not put empowerment on a pedestal; instead, they embed it in characters’ contradictions, allowing for messiness and growth.
Through the choice of casting, plot development, and dialogue, Landman extends beyond simple entertainment. It invites viewers to rethink what strength and empowerment look like for women in contemporary American drama. The honesty of Larter’s responses and portrayals invites ongoing conversation about how TV can both challenge and reflect the anxieties of its audience.
What Awaits in Landman Season 2
With filming underway in Texas, anticipation for Landman’s sophomore season intensifies. Collider has confirmed that the series will return to Paramount+ in November 2025, setting the stage for even more intricate storytelling. As audiences await fresh episodes, the current season continues to stream on the platform, offering viewers new opportunities to engage with Angela Norris’s evolution and the continued exploration of Taylor Sheridan’s nuanced portrayal of female empowerment in Landman.
The ongoing debate and discussion around the representation of women in Landman prove that Sheridan and Larter are steering the conversation, not shying away from it. In turning objectification into an opportunity for layered drama, the show demonstrates how modern storytelling can flip criticism into a platform for empowerment and complexity, both onscreen and off.
