‘Landman’ star Michelle Randolph on reuniting with Taylor Sheridan on Fort Worth series
Michelle Randolph enjoyed her time in Texas making “Landman.”
The 27-year-old California native plays Ainsley Norris on the Paramount+ series. Ainsely journeys to Midland to reunite with her father Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), with her mother Angela (Ali Larter) quickly following.
After settling into her new home, Ainsley is starting to explore life in Midland and potentially a new love interest in “Landman” episode seven.
Ahead of the Dec. 22 episode, Randolph spoke with the Star-Telegram about reuniting with Taylor Sheridan after starring in “1923,” her character’s journey thus far and how much she enjoyed filming in Fort Worth.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length and contains spoilers for “Landman” Episode 7 — “All Roads Lead to a Hole.”
Star-Telegram: Michelle, thanks for the time today. I’ve asked some of the “Landman” cast this question before and have gotten a variety of answers. How much did you know about the oil industry before joining the show?
Michelle Randolph: Honestly, I was not familiar with really anything concerning the oil industry and Texas in general. But as soon as I booked the show, I listened to Christian Wallace’s podcast “Boomtown.” I learned so much from that podcast. The oil booms and busts and how drastically it can affect the town overnight, and how dangerous it is. I found it really interesting. It was fun to then go to Texas and feel like I was kind of living in the world of the podcast a bit.
ST: Right, and of course you and Taylor Sheridan worked together on “1923.” When y’all were making that show, did he mention having a role for you on “Landman”? [Editor’s note: Randolph stars as Elizabeth Strafford in “1923.”]
MR: No, I hadn’t heard - well, I had heard of “Landman” kind of at the end of when “1923” was coming out. I just assumed there was no way I would even be considered, because I’m doing “1923.” Like, I just don’t know how that would work, schedule-wise. Then I got a call from Taylor telling me about the show and the character. I mean, I wanted the chance to work with him again, 100%.
Also I knew that Billy Bob was in the show. When I read the first two scripts, my scenes were all with Billy and I was just so intrigued by the project and the character. I was already obsessed with the show and I had only read two episodes.
ST: Ainsley has been a fun character to watch this season and she’s been through quite a bit. Breaking up with her boyfriend, moving to Midland, reuniting with her father and potentially finding new love. How would you describe her journey thus far?
MR: I mean, she’s moved from Aledo to Midland, so that was a pretty bold jump, I’d say for Ainsley and for Angela. Especially Ainsley, considering she’s leaving behind her life and her friends and everything that she’s known there. We’re starting to see her world expand a bit. I think in episode six, she’s kind of getting an idea that there are things going on that are different than what her tunnel vision sees, typically. It’s been fun to kind of find those moments in the scripts and see where we can find growth for her.
ST: You mentioned Angela, played by Ali Larter, who is great on the show. The mother and daughter relationship feels very authentic and you can tell they truly have a bond. How did you and Ali build that relationship together?
MR: It really felt that way with all of our characters. As people, we all hung out because we shot on location, so we were all together for such an extended period of time. Anytime we weren’t on set, we were together in life. I think we all were just so passionate about the show and really cared about the characters and story, and that translates, thankfully.
But it’s so helpful when you do have such a fun friendship with the actors, because it does change a scene. Especially playing family, I mean, I think it’s crucial. I’m lucky that they’re all such wonderful people in real life and very close friends of mine now.
ST: You mentioned Billy Bob Thornton. What was it like working with him? Are you a fan?
MR: Yes, oh my gosh, I just admire his work. I always was just so impressed by him on set. There’s definitely certain scenes where I would have moments while we were filming and I would just be like, “Oh my gosh, I’m working with such an amazing actor.” I learned a lot from him. I mean, he’s just so grounded and so natural. I learned from him on set every day. Even watching him in the show, I’m impressed.
ST: In episode seven, there’s finally some time for Ainsley to explore Midland and this new chapter of her life. Part of that is when she and Angela go to a nursing home and have this big party. Was that as fun filming as it seems in the show?
MR: Yeah, oh, it was so fun to film. I love that it’s such a random thing for Ainsley and Angela to do. But Taylor’s wife [Nicole] in real life, is a huge part of her local nursing home and we shot at that nursing home. I actually got to go and hang out and play games with some of the people in real life. Then to go and film there with great actors was just a fun and kind of interesting dynamic for the show to have in it. Because you don’t see it coming, and it gives Ainsley and Angela a purpose.
ST: Yeah, it does. That sequence starts with y’all’s characters working out and then you drive by the nursing home. Next thing you know, we’re there.
MR: Unexpected [laughs].
ST: The show filmed in Fort Worth. Was that your first time there?
MR: Yeah, I hadn’t spent really any time in Texas and I fell in love with Fort Worth. I mean, it’s amazing. I mean, a huge part of why I love anywhere is when I’m with people that I adore. It felt like a family on set. We have all our special spots in Fort Worth and I miss it a lot.
ST: Did y’all do anything fun like go to the Stockyards?
MR: Yeah, we went to the Stockyards way too often. I watched that little rodeo that they do on Fridays and Saturdays, so many times. Anytime someone would visit me, I took them to the rodeo. Even though, I guess it’s not like a real rodeo, but it is. When you’re from California, it’s a real rodeo. What else?
We went to Seventh Street a bunch. I went to Teskey’s [Saddle Shop] in Weatherford. Yeah, I took anyone who came to visit there. Like, this is cowboy Costco. Everyone needs to see cowboy Costco when they’re in Texas. I went into Dallas a few times. I mean, there was just so much to see.
ST: Cowboy Costco, I’ve never heard that term before.
MR: Who actually said that to me is Taylor. I met with him one time and he was like, “You got to go to cowboy Costco.” I’m like, “Well, I’m intrigued. I must see what this place is.”
ST: “Landman” wrapped filming in early summer and “1923” season two production began later that summer. Did you roll from one into the other?
MR: I did. I had a little over a month between the two, which was needed to come down from Ainsley. I couldn’t drop the accent for a second. Anytime I would read any dialogue or read a script and say words out loud, it would come out in an accent for some reason. But you know what? It was nice to go straight into “1923,” because I didn’t have to mourn “Landman” for too long. I had to adjust my focus quickly elsewhere.
“Landman” airs new episodes weekly on Sundays on Paramount+.
