Nothing about Landman's success should surprise Ali Larter. She's been here before as part of the cast for the whirlwind hit Hero's.
However, while she is well-versed in handling the media attention that comes with being a key part of a hit TV show, there are still aspects of her job that make her feel uncomfortable. During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Larter detailed how, for her, the toughest part of filming is the bikini scenes.
"I don't think there's an actress alive that's like, 'Woo! Got a bikini scene!' " Larter said. "Nobody wants to do it. Those are the hardest for me. I don't enjoy them. It's just part of the story that I'm telling, and I'm an actress, so I get on board. But those are definitely my least favorite."
To viewers, the bikini scene often involves sitting poolside, sipping cocktails and soaking in the sun. On set, things are far different. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of people involved. Cameras are rolling. And, it's fair to assume that you feel exposed.
"But no matter what, it's like, I've got to spend all this time fighting off my own insecurities, my own anxiety, to be able to put on that bikini and walk into these scenes," Larter explained.
Ali Larter Loves Her Role as Angela on Landman
Bikini scenes aside, Larter is loving her time as Angela on the Paramount+ hit. She detailed her joy during an interview with Variety ahead of the premiere of season 2.
"I think it's incredible that Taylor's writing for a woman in her late '40s who's still very alive in her body, who still wants to be intimate with her husband," Larter said. "Is that why it's so confusing to some people? I think that Taylor is a provocateur, and we'd like to put a mirror up to certain things, so I think that's part of it."
Larter, 49, can likely relate to Angela. And, in some ways, those bikini scenes could be part of the bonding process.
"I love playing a woman that's this alive," she said. "...I have so many women come up to me who always want to have that ... they want to find that little bit of Angela in them, because we're always asked to live within the societal norms. There's something so delicious about playing a character who does it by her rules, who just lives her life as she wants to live it, who loves hard and free. I think it's exciting at this point in my career and at my age to get to play someone who's this emotionally complex and bold."
Fortunately for Larter and for all of us, Landman has been confirmed for a third season. And while that means some more awkward bikini scenes, it also gives Larter an opportunity to get even closer with her character. Because of that, we're all winners.
