Ali Larter says a new family member has completely changed the audience’s perspective on her Landman character. With the arrival of Sam Elliott as T.L. Norris in Season 2, viewers are now seeing the often-criticized mother-daughter duo of Angela and Ainsley Norris through the affectionate eyes of the family patriarch.
Larter explains that the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, intentionally uses T.L. to give viewers permission to see Angela and her daughter, played by Michelle Randolph, in a new and more compassionate light.
The Divisive Reception of Angela and Ainsley Norris
Since Landman premiered in 2024, the characters of Angela and Ainsley have faced significant criticism. Their storylines, described as “out-there” and often highly sexualized, have made them two of the most debated characters on the show. Ainsley, in particular, sparked viral reactions in Season 1 for sharing explicit details about her sex life with her father, Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton).
Ali Larter has addressed this divisiveness before, noting that Taylor Sheridan loves to create characters that provoke strong reactions and feelings from the audience. She considers Sheridan a “provocateur” who writes “wildly original and authentic” characters. Michelle Randolph has similarly stood by her character, stating that Ainsley’s comfort with her sexuality is something to be celebrated and that she is proud of the show they made.
How T.L. Norris Sees the Norris Women
The dynamic shifted with the introduction of Sam Elliott’s T.L., Tommy’s elderly and estranged father. In a key scene from Season 2, Episode 5, T.L. is sitting quietly in the family home when Angela and Ainsley return. Larter points to this moment as pivotal.
“He’s just sitting at the counter and he watches them โ it’s like Taylor’s showing the audience how to think about Angela and Ainsley through T.L.’s eyes,” Larter said.
She emphasizes the power of this new point of view, contrasting it with how other characters, including Tommy, often perceive Angela.
“The way that he sees us is so amazing,” Larter said of Elliott’s character. “Because a lot of times, people even within the show are coming after herโฆ I love that T.L. loves us, instead of, like Tommy, always provoking her and getting frustrated with her.”
This unconditional fondness from T.L. allows the audience to see the joy, energy, and life that Angela and Ainsley bring to the screen, rather than just their chaotic or controversial actions.
Behind the Scenes Chemistry and Season 2 Developments
Larter’s admiration extends to her veteran co-star off-screen as well. She called working with Sam Elliott “an absolute dream” and described an immediate connection. She recalled a quiet moment before filming a scene where Elliott spoke about his own family, which helped deepen their on-screen relationship.
T.L.’s arrival is part of a larger focus on Tommy’s family in Season 2. Following the death of Tommy’s mother, Dorothy, T.L. moves out of his assisted living facility. It is Angela who invites him to live with the family, a decision that brings the three generations under one roof.
This new living situation sets the stage for both conflict and healing. Elliott hinted that his character has a “fractured relationship” with Tommy and that the season presents an “opportunity to come and heal a little bit”. Billy Bob Thornton was emotional about Elliott’s casting, telling Entertainment Tonight, “Heโs been an inspiration to me and a hero of mine for so longโฆ when Taylor told me I was so excited, and I started crying. I knew it was right”.
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After the Season 2 Finale
The second season of Landman concluded with major changes for the Norris family. Tommy, after being fired by Demi Moore’s character Cami, strikes a dangerous deal with a cartel boss played by Andy Garcia to start his own independent oil company, CTT Oil. The company initials stand for his son Cooper, his father T.L., and himself.
In the final scene, a calmer Tommy seeks advice from Angela, who encourages him to find joy in the present moment. Larter reflected on this quieter interaction, which contrasted with their usual heated exchanges.
“Most of the time, you see Tommy and Angela in these heightened moments where heโs provoking her and sheโs reacting, and the reality is that when theyโre actually in deep crisis, things are very quiet,” Larter said.
She noted that Angela’s perspective is about living in the now, a lesson she imparts to Tommy. However, the threat from the cartel deal looms large, with Garcia’s character explicitly threatening to destroy everything Tommy loves if the deal goes wrongโa threat that Larter acknowledges could directly target Angela and Ainsley.
With Season 3 already renewed and set to film in the spring, the evolving dynamic between T.L., Angela, and the rest of the family will continue to be a central part of the story. The audience, now equipped with T.L.’s more affectionate viewpoint, will watch as this unconventional family navigates new dangers and their complicated relationships with each other.
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