Billy Bob Thornton Defends Co-Star Ali Larter Against Critics of ‘Landman’ Performance

Golden Globe-nominated actor pushes back on characterization of Larter’s role as “cartoonish,” citing authentic regional representation

Key Points:

• Billy Bob Thornton vigorously defends Ali Larter’s portrayal in Taylor Sheridan’s Landman
• Actor argues character reflects authentic women from Texas-Arkansas region
• Thornton also shields creator Taylor Sheridan from critical backlash

Standing Up for Co-Star

Billy Bob Thornton has mounted a passionate defense of his Landman co-star Ali Larter following critical reviews describing her performance as overdone or “cartoonish.”

Landman represents the latest series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who developed the show alongside Christian Wallace. Based on Wallace’s podcast Boomtown, the series follows oil rig executive Tommy Noris (portrayed by Thornton) as he navigates his company toward success amid an industry boom.

In the series, Final Destination and Heroes actress Ali Larter portrays Tommy’s ex-wife Angela—a performance that has drawn criticism from reviewers who characterized her acting as excessive.

Thornton’s Counterargument

However, Thornton, who recently received a Golden Globe nomination for his role, strongly disagrees with this assessment. In a new interview about the show, he acknowledged that while Sheridan has achieved success with his television empire, the creator “has had a hard way to go with the critics over the years.”

The 69-year-old told Deadline: “I mean, he’s such a powerful guy. It’s easy to knock him down. But he’s had the best reviews he’s ever had for Landman.”

“Some of them mentioned the women and how Ali’s character may be a little cartoonish or whatever. And I got to tell you, I was raised down there in Arkansas and Texas, and women like Ali exist. It’s hard to look that good, but some of ’em do.”

Authentic Regional Representation

He continued: “I mean, there are women around that Dallas-Fort Worth area who look like models, and they’re just like elbows and eyebrows every minute.”

Thornton’s defense rests on his personal experience growing up in the region where Landman is set, arguing that Larter’s performance accurately reflects real women from these areas rather than representing an exaggerated characterization.

Defending the Creator

Beyond supporting Larter, Thornton also shielded Sheridan from broader criticism, noting the creator’s challenging relationship with critics despite his commercial success.

Yellowstone’s Conclusion

One of Sheridan’s other shows, Yellowstone, is approaching its conclusion later this month.

Spoilers for Yellowstone follow

The conclusion to the series following ranch owners in Montana has featured multiple character deaths, including Kevin Costner’s lead character—whose departure from the series has been extensively documented and surrounded by controversy.

Following the airing of his character’s death, the Oscar winner stated: “I didn’t see it. I’m going to be perfectly honest. I didn’t know it was actually airing last night. I didn’t realize yesterday was the thing.”

In the most recent episode of Yellowstone’s final season, Sheridan himself appeared alongside supermodel Bella Hadid, whom he cast as his girlfriend.

Availability

Landman is available to stream on Paramount+.

Industry Impact

Thornton’s vigorous defense of both his co-star and the show’s creator represents a notable instance of an established actor using his platform to push back against critical narratives. His argument that Larter’s performance reflects authentic regional characteristics rather than caricature challenges reviewers’ interpretations while drawing on his personal credibility as someone familiar with the geographic and cultural context.

Performance Debate

The disagreement over Larter’s portrayal highlights ongoing tensions in entertainment criticism regarding what constitutes authentic versus exaggerated performance, particularly when depicting regional characteristics and cultural specifics. Thornton’s intervention suggests that what critics interpret as “cartoonish” may instead represent unfamiliarity with the authentic behaviors and presentation styles of women from specific geographic regions.

Supporting Cast Members

Thornton’s willingness to publicly defend Larter demonstrates professional solidarity and suggests confidence in both the performance and the creative vision behind Landman. His comments may influence how audiences and critics reassess Larter’s work, potentially reframing perceived exaggeration as accurate regional representation.

The defense also underscores Thornton’s own investment in the project’s authenticity and his relationship with Sheridan’s creative approach, positioning him as not merely a performer but an advocate for the show’s artistic choices and cultural accuracy.

As Landman continues its run on Paramount+, Thornton’s high-profile defense may shift conversations around the series from criticism of individual performances toward appreciation of regional authenticity and cultural specificity in television storytelling.