‘Landman’ star Paulina Chávez on her personal Texas connection to Fort Worth series
Paulina Chávez didn’t have to travel far to work on “Landman.”
The 22-year-old El Paso native plays Ariana on the Paramount+ series. Ariana is a young mother who loses her oilfield worker husband early in the season and soon forms a bond with Cooper Norris, the sole survivor from her husband’s accident.
After moving him into her home, Ariana is tested by those around her who question why she would help and care for Cooper so soon after her husband’s death. In episode eight, everything comes to pass for Ariana.
Ahead of the Dec. 29 episode, Chávez spoke with the Star-Telegram about her connection to this Texas story, working with the cast and why she’s hopeful for a second season.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length and contains spoilers for “Landman” episode 8.
Star-Telegram: Paulina, thanks so much for the time today. You’re from El Paso, right?
Paulina Chávez: Yes, I was born in El Paso and grew in San Antonio.
ST: Gotcha. Most of the “Landman” cast I’ve spoken to are not from Texas and didn’t know much about the state or oil industry. Being from here, did you know anything about the industry?
PC: I didn’t. Obviously, driving from El Paso to San Antonio back and forth, you see a lot of the oil fields and the oil rigs. But I never knew how dangerous it is and how high stakes it is. That’s something that’s very interesting going into this project.
Reading the little description about it, very short ones that they gave me while we’re auditioning — I obviously was hooked, because I didn’t know anything about the oil industry, or not much any of it. It’s fun being able to read the scripts and learn a little bit more about it and listening to the podcast “Boomtown,” by Christian Wallace. It really sucks you in. It’s so interesting.
ST: It’s a big show with a great cast behind it. What’s it like joining such a big project? Does it feel a little sweeter since it’s a Texas story?
PC: My goodness, I’m pinching myself still. It’s surreal to be on on a show like this. I mean, it’s Taylor Sheridan. He is amazing and so intelligent in telling these stories that are so important. I love Texas stories and to be able to stay at home and shoot stuff here, it’s amazing. It’s amazing being able to tell our stories and all of it.
ST: Ariana has been through a lot this season. Her husband dying, trying to rebuild her family and potentially pursing a relationship with Cooper. How would you describe her journey thus far and what’s driving her?
PC: Oh, my goodness. As soon as I read the very first scene of Ariana, I absolutely fell in love with her. Because through the face of grief, you see how strong of a woman she is and how resilient she is. It’s that strength that carries her through everything.
There’s so many heartbreaking moments in this show. It’s amazing to see a character who has been through so much, receiving those heartwarming moments, through friendship, through those human connections. It’s a beautiful journey that Ariana is going through this first season.
ST: Ariana and Cooper’s story has been one of the most interesting storylines this season. From their first interaction in episode three, to Cooper moving into Ariana’s home in episode seven. What’s it like working with Jacob Lofland, and how did y’all build chemistry together?
PC: Working with Jacob is amazing. He is brilliant on camera. It was very easy to just allow our characters to explore what they needed to explore. We always tried to keep it very lighthearted when we were behind camera and in-between takes. I mean, we were both very passionate about telling Cooper and Ariana’s story correctly. It is such a beautiful story. It was very easy to just allow it to happen.
ST: There’s a joke in episode seven, where someone likens the Cooper and Ariana romance to that of Romeo and Juliet. It does feel like forbidden love and that these two sides shouldn’t be together, but they are. Did that resonate with you?
PC: Definitely. I think that there’s that fear within Ariana of, “What are people going to say? How is Elvio’s family going to react to this? Is it worth it?” I think at the end of day, there is that small battle within her like, “My husband just died, but at the same time, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. No one’s ever made me feel this way.”
I think she truly believed when she was with Elvio that he was the love of her life, and then he dies. Then this guy comes in, showing her what love is supposed to be like. I think episode eight, when she is discussing that with Tommy, she’s just like, “I don’t know what this is, but it feels good. No one’s ever treated me the way that Cooper treats me.” I think that’s kind of cute. Like, “Oh, what do you mean?”
ST: Their story does feel like a bright spot in this rough journey. Speaking of episode eight, I would call it the “Ariana show.” She gets two major scenes in the episode, from the settlement scene with Nathan and Rebecca, to the dinner scene with Tommy. As an actor, what is it like to read the script and know you’re getting a big episode?
PC: I feel like this show has been a dream, honestly. It’s a dream to be able to explore this character as much as I have been able to and continue to do so. I mean, every episode I’m just like, “Yeah, she’s a badass.”
It’s amazing, because that’s the way I view all the women in my life. My mom, my grandma, my sisters, the people who raised me, they are Ariana. To be able to actually portray that, is so fun. I always say, especially episode five where I’m yelling at Manuel, I’m like, “That was my mom.”
The person that just came out of me was my mom and my grandma. It’s wonderful to be able to explore that. Reading the scripts, I’m just like, “Yep, that’s my girl Ariana.” Shooting that scene in episode eight with Kayla [Wallace], every single time we shot that scene, I was more and more shocked by the words that were being said. Every line, I heard it a million times that day, and each time I was like, “Damn.” [Laughs]
ST: The dinner scene in episode eight is also great. It’s not everyday you get to tell Billy Bob Thornton to leave your house. How was filming that?
PC: Oh, my goodness. I remember calling Taylor Sheridan, being like, “What is your vision for the scene? Because I have my own idea. What do you want from this scene?” We were both on the same page of what we wanted. I was a little, I mean, it’s Billy Bob Thornton and that scene, it’s all Ariana really, so that was really nerve wracking. But once we were able to do it, I think it was like an all day thing that we were shooting.
We started off with my coverage and each take, I was finding something new and playing with it. Then when we ended up turning around, I was like, “[Director] Stephen [Kay], can you turn back around? I found something new.” I’m super excited to watch that episode, I have not seen it yet. I’ve only seen the very raw cut. I’m super excited to see how it turns out, but it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun kicking Billy Bob Thornton out of my house. It felt amazing.
ST: At the end of episode eight, it seems like Ariana and Cooper may have finally found a happy moment. With two episodes left, does that happiness last?
PC: Well, you’ll have to wait and watch. I think that scene was really Ariana thinking out loud through the whole thing. But yeah, I’m excited for everyone to watch what comes next.
ST: The show filmed in Fort Worth for a bulk of production. Had you been there before?
PC: It was my first time actually being there. I would take acting classes in Dallas, in Lewisville, Texas, actually. My mom would drive me there almost every weekend when I was growing up for acting classes, but I never really explored Dallas or Fort Worth. Being able to shoot there was really cool, because again, it’s super close to home and I’m used to the drive. I’m hoping, if we do get another season, I’m hoping to stay there more, because I was going back and forth. Because there’s a lot of great places to go. Great barbecue.
ST: You mentioned season two, have you heard anything about that?
PC: I haven’t heard anything, but my fingers are crossed, all my toes are crossed. I think there’s so much story to tell. Again, fingers crossed. Haven’t heard anything but I’m very excited. I mean, Billy Bob Thornton was nominated for a Golden Globe. So, come on, give us a second season. [Laughs]
“Landman” airs new episodes weekly on Sundays on Paramount+.
This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 12:00 AM.
