Do you remember shows like Dynasty and Dallas? They, and nighttime dramas like them, such as Knots Landing and Falcon Crest, once ruled the evening TV airwaves in the 1980s. You had great good guys like Krystle Carrington on Dynasty, played with sumptuous glamour by Linda Evans. And the best villain of all, J.R. Ewing, who was nastily brought to life by actor Larry Hagman on Dallas.
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Those shows had fascinating families. There were battles, reconciliations, underhanded maneuvers, and a cliffhanging sense of never knowing what's coming next. Audiences could not get their fill of these and other multi-dimensional, emotionally rambunctious characters.
Landman, Taylor Sheridan's latest smashing success, has that same riveting family dynamic. It's rooted in great acting and powerful scripts. Actress Ali Larter, who portrays Angela, recently dived into the reasons for the Paramount+ drama's sizzling popularity.
Larter Said That Viewers "Love the Dynamics" on 'Landman'
The actress, 49, shared with Fox News Digital what she believes is the secret to the success of Landman. Not only do audiences find the characters magnetic, but they also, in Larter's opinion, like the varied nature of the show. It's an emotional grab bag with "something... for everyone."
She said, "I think that we were incredibly surprised our second season premiere was so big. People love the messy family, they love the dynamics. There's something in our show for everyone. I think some people love the marriage storyline, other people love Jacob [Lofland] or laugh with Michelle [Randolph]'s comedy. There's a little something for everyone."
Ali Larter Discussed the Appeal of Angela
Larter feels that her character's appeal stems from Angela's intense sensuality, her vibrance, and her openly passionate personality. She liberates herself from the ordinary restrictions often imposed by society on women. Angela empowers herself to be exactly who she really is. Seeing a female character in her 40s with that kind of unbridled moxie is definitely thrilling and unusual.
Larter told Variety that, "I love playing a woman that's this alive. [Angela and Tommy, the character played by Billy Bob Thornton] kind of feel like they're in high school again. They're rekindling this love story, and for me to play a woman who just doesn't care about all the judgment of others is so freeing. 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...."
