Billy Bob Thornton recently shared that working on some of the more intense and entertaining scenes in Landman brought on unexpected memories from his own life. The seasoned actor, who stars as Tommy Norris, the Vice President of Operations at M-Tex Oil in the popular Paramount drama, discussed how shooting alongside Ali Larter reminded him of earlier experiences, shining a light on his approach to portraying the character.
Portraying a crisis manager known as a fixer within the world of oil industry drama, Thornton’s character often collides with his ex-wife Angela Norris, played by Ali Larter. Their on-screen relationship is lively and fraught with energy, which Thornton says sometimes mirrored moments from his real-life relationships. Larter’s character, Angela, is depicted as unpredictable and spirited, creating a dynamic that fans of the show find both exciting and authentic.
Lively On-Screen Dynamic With Ali Larter
Discussing his collaboration with Larter, Thornton reflected on just how much enjoyment he finds in their shared scenes. According to the actor,
“Every time we do scenes together, it’s just a load of fun.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
This sense of enjoyment comes to the forefront during several memorable moments in Landman, including a scene where Larter’s character throws plates of pasta around her living room in response to a pointed comment from Norris. Scenes like these provided fodder for Thornton’s sense of déjà vu, stemming from his six real-life marriages to Melissa Lee Gatlin, Toni Lawrence, Cynda Williams, Pietra Dawn Cherniak, Angelina Jolie, and Connie Angland. The actor openly joked about how these scenarios felt all too familiar, noting,
“I get flashbacks from my past, every now and then, from various times of my life. Oh yeah.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Easy Rapport With Co-Stars Sparks Chemistry
Thornton went on to share that his natural working relationship with Ali Larter was evident from the very start of filming Landman’s first season. He elaborated on this immediate connection, saying,
“Automatically, Ali and I were just passionate friends.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Beyond his partnership with Larter, Thornton spoke highly of Michelle Randolph, who plays Ainsley Norris, the daughter of Tommy and Angela in the show. The actor emphasized his protective instincts towards Randolph and the camaraderie he shares with his co-stars, explaining,
“I mean, automatically, I was protective of Michelle.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Comparing Larter and Randolph, Thornton described being part of their dynamic as demanding yet deeply rewarding, stating,
“It’s been awesome. I mean, those girls, we love them — in real life and as characters.”
— Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Ali Larter has also voiced her admiration for Thornton’s work and their collaboration on-set. She said in a recent interview,
“I get to work, I think, next to one of the best actors working in our business, and he brings out the best in me. In our world, when we’re working together, there’s just never an inauthentic beat, and that is incredible. I love him so much.”
— Ali Larter, Actress
What’s Next for Landman and Its Cast
Landman continues to draw viewers with its blend of personal drama and industry intrigue, and the chemistry between Thornton, Larter, and Randolph helps drive the narrative. The series, now in its second season, recently released the first two episodes—“Death and a Sunset” and “Sins of the Father”—on Paramount+. The upcoming episode, titled “Almost a Home,” is scheduled to premiere on November 30, promising to build further on the intense and relatable moments that have come to define the show.
As Billy Bob Thornton’s reflections highlight, the energetic dynamics both onscreen and off contribute powerfully to Landman’s appeal. The actor’s candid experiences and memories continue to bring depth and authenticity to his role, sparking interest in how the story and characters will develop in the episodes ahead. With its compelling cast and real-life connections reflected in character chemistry, Landman stands out in the current television landscape.
