dress + shoes. Dolce & Gabbana
Ali Larter is no stranger to iconic roles. With a career spanning multiple genres — from the satirical charm of Legally Blonde to the gripping intensity of Final Destination and the action-packed escapades of Resident Evil — Larter has carved a niche for herself as an actor who can do it all. But even for someone who has embodied so many memorable characters, her latest role in Paramount’s Landman stands out as one of her most transformative.
When Schön! caught up with Larter — surrounded by a swarm of gorgeous puppies — she exuded the same energy and enthusiasm that have defined her career. “I just feel incredibly lucky that I’ve gotten a chance to play so many different roles in my career,” she says. “ There’s not always this exact plan. Our business is fickle, and Hollywood is a very challenging place to really try to build a career in. But I’ve always tried to never lead with fear, to look at every opportunity as a chance for growth.”
Her optimism has certainly paid off. Over the years, Larter has embraced a diverse range of characters, each leaving an indelible mark on her fans. From the fiery, resilient Claire Redfield in the Resident Evil franchise to the comedic delight of Brooke Taylor Windham in Legally Blonde, or the smart, should-have-been final girl Clear Rivers in Final Destination, her choices have consistently showcased her versatility. “I’ve been thinking about Resident Evil a lot lately,” she admits. “There are probably only a handful — maybe ten — female action stars, and the fact that I got to do that with Milla [Jovovich] really kind of broke open that glass ceiling. To see women in those kinds of roles was exciting.”
dress. Prada
shoes. ByFar
Her role in Landman, however, presented a fresh set of challenges. The series dives into the high-stakes world of West Texas oil, exploring the human cost and triumphs of those who thrive — and struggle — in this volatile industry. Based on Christian Wallace’s podcast Boomtown and brought to life by Taylor Sheridan, Landman is a gritty and emotional drama about love, loss, and reinvention amid the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil fields. At its heart, the series captures the resilience, ambition, and complexity of life in a world where fortunes are made and lost with the turn of a drill.
Angela, Larter’s character, embodies this complexity. A woman shaped by the success and hardships of her environment, she navigates a deeply personal journey within the oil-dominated landscape. Larter describes Angela as “so bold and provocative” yet profoundly vulnerable — a combination that made the role irresistible. “She’s a woman who’s been through the boom and the bust. Her husband became an alcoholic, and she had to figure out what to do with two young children. She found a way to marry a billionaire to take care of her family, but her story isn’t about staying in that high-flying lifestyle. It’s about going back to where she was born, to the oil fields, and finding herself again.”
Landing the role of Angela wasn’t handed to Larter on a silver platter. “It was a really slow process,” she reveals. “I auditioned three times for it and had to screen-test with 19 pages of dialogue. A lot of the time in Taylor [Sheridan]’s world, these roles go to massive movie stars, and they’re written for them. I came from the other side of it. This was something I fought for and believed in.”
It’s easy to see why Larter was drawn to Sheridan’s writing. Known for crafting layered, dynamic characters, Sheridan’s scripts challenge actors to explore the depths of their craft. “Taylor has a way of writing that delivers something the audience is thirsty for while creating characters who are deeply human. Angela is one of those characters. She made me laugh; she’s so inappropriate and doesn’t follow the rules. I loved stepping into her world.”
Working alongside powerhouse actors like Billy Bob Thornton — who portrays her ex-husband and crisis executive Tommy Norris — added to the allure of the project. “Billy is maybe the best actor working in our business right now. To spar with him, to go head-to-head — it was another opportunity to learn and grow. He’s extraordinary.”
top. Bottega Veneta
skirt. Nour Hammour
The dynamic between Angela and Tommy unfolds in a way that makes it harder to pick a side, revealing the complexities of their relationship. “It really came down to the fact that they both love each other for who they are and they don’t judge each other,” Larter explains. “They can fight and say the worst things and be totally inappropriate, and then give a sweet kiss goodnight. When we started to find that, we kind of ran after it and really played against the tone of the scene a lot.”
Playing Angela wasn’t just an emotional challenge — it was also a technical one. To authentically embody a woman from West Texas, Larter worked meticulously on Angela’s accent and mannerisms. “When you work on Taylor’s shows, everything is incredibly authentic,” she explains. “We had people on set ensuring everything was true to the world we were portraying, from the accents to the way people dressed. I loved working on the accent. It was something I had to chew on and really make my own. And once you’re at work, you have to let it all go and let the cards fall where they may.”
Beyond the technicalities, Angela’s larger-than-life confidence posed a unique challenge. “It’s so much harder to walk onto a set with extreme confidence than to do a quiet, subtle scene,” Larter admits. “Angela commands a room. It doesn’t matter if I’ve had a rough day in my personal life —when I step into her shoes, I have to find her zest and her joy. That was definitely a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding.”
jacket + skirt. Escada
shoes. Prada
Angela’s journey is far from linear, and Larter embraces every twist and turn. “She’s a rollercoaster of emotion,” Larter says. “At first glance, she looks like a trophy wife — eccentric and high-flying. But as the story unfolds, you see her vulnerability, her humanity. She’s a woman trying to put her family back together, and she’s willing to fight for what matters most to her.”
One of the most compelling aspects of Angela’s story is her relationship with her daughter, Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph. The dynamic between the two characters is unconventional, to say the least. “Angela sees her daughter as a playmate and a best friend. She thinks taking her to bars and teaching her about men is being a good mom. It’s completely misguided, but it’s all she knows,” Larter says with a laugh.
Despite their differences, Larter and Randolph formed a close bond during filming. “Michelle and I were together practically every single day for five months. We lived in the same apartment building, worked out together, had dinner together. She’s an amazing young actress — so beautiful, flirty, and sexy in this role. We’re playing a version of these girls, and we’re proud of the work we did.”
As a mother of two, Larter found herself reflecting on her own parenting style while stepping into Angela’s shoes. “We’re complete opposites when it comes to motherhood,” she says. “Angela’s approach is endearing because she’s trying, but it’s so far from the way I parent. For me, it was about trusting the process and embracing this very different perspective on motherhood.”
dress. Gucci
shoes. ByFar
The authenticity of Angela’s character shines through in every scene, thanks in part to Sheridan’s commitment to grounding his stories in reality. “Taylor’s writing doesn’t rely on clichés,” Larter notes. “Angela’s journey isn’t about becoming a bright and shiny trophy wife. It’s the reverse — she’s leaving that world behind and rediscovering herself. That’s what makes her story so compelling.”
Larter’s portrayal of Angela is the latest chapter in a career defined by bold choices. Whether she’s battling zombies, making us laugh, or diving into the emotional complexities of a character like Angela, Larter approaches her work with relentless passion. “I’ve always tried to lead with curiosity instead of fear,” she says. “Every role is an opportunity to expand as an actress and as a person.”
For Larter, Landman isn’t just another project — it’s a reflection of her passion and drive. “I feel incredibly lucky to still be working in this business,” she says. “To play a character like Angela, who’s so unapologetically herself, is a gift. She takes a bite out of life, and I hope viewers see that and connect with her journey.”
As the series continues to captivate audiences, Larter is already looking ahead to what’s next. But for now, she’s savouring the experience of bringing Angela to life. “This role has been one of the most challenging and rewarding of my career,” she says. “Angela’s story is about reinvention, resilience, and finding joy in the unexpected. That’s something I think we can all relate to.”
In Landman, Ali Larter proves once again why she’s a force to be reckoned with — a storyteller unafraid to dive deep, take risks, and remind us of the beauty in imperfection. Whether you’re drawn to Angela’s boldness, her vulnerability, or her relentless spirit, one thing is certain: Larter has crafted a character who will stay with us long after the credits roll.
jacket + trousers. Prada
top. Bottega Veneta
skirt. Nour Hammour
shoes. Dolce & Gabbana
Landman is now streaming on Paramount+.
photography. Michael Spencer
creative direction + production. Studio Spencer
fashion. Marc Eram @ A-Frame Agency
talent. Ali Larter
hair. Adir Abergel @ A-Frame Agency using Virtue Labs
make up. Sandy Ganzer @ Forward Artists using Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
creative production. Clara La Rosa
retouch. Kassie Jackson
photography assistant. Mahzar Badani
production assistant. Ben Campbell
hair assistant. Giuliana Bartolotti
location. Sunbeam Studios
words. Gennaro Costanzo
