Michelle Randolph Has Seen the Reactions to Her ‘Landman’ Character: “It’s Sparking Conversation”

Michelle Randolph Has Seen the Reactions to Her ‘Landman’ Character: “It’s Sparking Conversation”

As a young actress, I can only aspire to have the kind of diverse and rich career that Madison Davenport has built for herself. From her breakout role as Ainsley Whitlaw in Taylor Sheridan’s Landman to her captivating portrayal of Caroline Dutton on 1923, it’s clear that Madison possesses a rare talent for bringing complex characters to life.

[This story contains some spoilers from the Yellowstone season 5B finale and 1923 season one.]

Michelle Randolph has only scratched the surface with her Landman character.

In Taylor Sheridan’s latest series on Paramount+, titled “Yellowstone”, Billy Bob Thornton portrays Tommy Norris, a corporate troubleshooter. He works for an oil magnate (Jon Hamm) and manages the oil fields referred to as “the patch”. The stakes are high, evident by last week’s near-fatal assault on his son, played by Jacob Lofland. However, it’s his family dynamics that cause him the most (humorous) strife – particularly his reconciled ex-wife, Ali Larter, and their 17-year-old daughter, Randolph.

In a widely shared scene, the character of Ainsley, portrayed by Randolph, entered the storyline and had an open conversation with her father about her personal rules regarding relationships. She moved freely throughout his house, which is cohabited by three other middle-aged oil tycoons, often wearing bikinis or underwear. The premiere of Landman, airing subsequent to Sheridan’s flagship series Yellowstone, marked Paramount+’s largest launch in the past two years. Along with the increased viewership came a variety of responses to the writing style chosen for the 17-year-old character, Ainsley.

Randolph shares with The Hollywood Reporter that it’s tough not to notice the reaction to her character. However, she invested a whole year in creating Ainsley, even crafting a backstory for the teenager, which hasn’t been shown yet. “She means a lot to me, and there’s more depth to her than you might initially perceive,” Randolph says. “I can’t dictate how people interpret my character, but at least it’s stimulating discussion. I’m really proud of the series we produced.

In the second series for Randolph, titled “Sheridan,” he is preparing to debut season two of the prequel to “Yellowstone,” called “1923.” In this historical drama, Randolph portrays a character distinct from his role in the main series – Liz Dutton, an ancestor of the Montana ranch family. The first season ended on a tragic note for her. Regarding the challenges faced in “1923,” Randolph remarks, “Well, it’s 1923; who doesn’t face hardships?” She refers to this new Western tale as a saga.

Below, in a chat with THR, Randolph dives into playing Ainsley on Landman, teases 1923 season two and reacts to the Yellowstone finale — which may have settled a key theory about her character and John Dutton (the character played by departed star Kevin Costner).

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It’s quite intriguing to witness you in the role of Landman, having seen you on 1923. The characters you play seem remarkably distinct. Could you share your journey of being cast for the character of Landman by Taylor Sheridan?

1923 was wrapping up its release when I found myself immersed in its world. I was confident we’d be diving into season two soon after. However, the unexpected delays due to Hollywood strikes pushed back our return for a couple of years. In the meantime, whispers about Landman started circulating. The plotline intrigued me, and I eagerly anticipated the introduction of new characters like Ainsley. Yet, it was still too early to share any details with my gaming crew as I wasn’t authorized to do so at that stage.

One time, out of the blue, “Taylor Sheridan” appeared on my phone screen. At that moment, the last thing on my mind was “Landman.” I assumed he was contacting me about something related to “1923.” But instead, he proposed a new project and character for me to audition for by the next morning. The script was 18 pages long, and I only had 12 hours to record it. He mentioned that the character spoke with an accent. I wondered how on earth I would manage a Southern accent in such a short time. So, I decided not to attempt it, as I didn’t want to deliver a poor performance. The next day, he called me back and said I had landed the role! It was such a shocking experience. I still can’t believe it, and I am overjoyed to be part of this project.

I’ve had a conversation with Dawn Olivieri regarding her taking on multiple roles for Taylor Sheridan, much like you are doing within the broader Sheridan-verse. Notably, Olivieri played two distinct characters within the Yellowstone universe, and you’re performing dual roles in different shows under his purview. It’s interesting to note that 1923 and Landman aren’t connected. Olivieri mentioned to me that this demonstrates Sheridan’s creative freedom, as he has actors play across various productions within his slate. Can you share some insights about your experience working with him?

I’ve learned that Taylor Sheridan is a genius, and he can write any and all different types of shows. Working on 1923 and then working on Landman, and then going back to 1923 [for season two], they are just so separate and different, and equally interesting to me. The fact that he is able to write so many different characters and every storyline is so unique and specific, I think he’s an incredible writer and I love working with him. Put me in something else — I’ll do a third!

Have you noticed the various opinions on your Landman character? Are you keeping up with the responses it’s generating?

It’s tough not to notice it, but I manage to distance myself from it. What’s important is that I’ve got the script, read it, and experienced my own thoughts and feelings about it. Some of Ainsley’s lines are startling, and there were instances when I wondered how I would pull off certain scenes. My goal was to find a genuinely human portrayal for this character, and I put in a lot of effort to achieve that. However, once I finished my last day on set, my role ended, and I let go of it. The show was released, and people could make their own interpretations about my character. But at least our show is generating discussions, and I’m really proud of the work we accomplished together.

Michelle Randolph Has Seen the Reactions to Her ‘Landman’ Character: “It’s Sparking Conversation”

Who did you base Ainsley on; where did you get your inspiration?

I collaborated with three coaches – dialect, movement, and acting – and spent an extensive amount of time studying for the role. I had approximately a year’s worth of preparation time beforehand. Unfortunately, a strike occurred and filming was postponed. The extra time allowed me to delve deeper into my character, which proved incredibly beneficial. I put in a lot of effort to rationalize her actions and portray a fully rounded person, rather than just a 17-year-old as the character might initially appear. However, individuals like this do indeed exist in reality.

I recently enjoyed Jane Fonda in “Barefoot in the Park” and many of her early comedic roles because she’s incredibly funny. Similarly, Ainsley possesses a knack for comedy that I found inspiring. I was particularly moved by the film “Sideways,” which showcases a more down-to-earth humor. Additionally, I immersed myself in country music and spending time with Ali [Larter], Billy [Bob Thornton], Jacob [Lofland] in Texas greatly contributed to the development of Ainsley’s character. She embodies a carefree spirit and has a wild side that I found captivating throughout the entire process.

Sounds like different prep work than you did at Taylor Sheridan’s cowboy camp for 1923.

Absolutely. Preparing for this took me ten times more effort than usual, as I wanted to ensure Ainsley’s portrayal was spot-on. While there are certain aspects that are beyond my control, as an actor, you have a significant role in shaping your character. As for cowboy camp, I must admit, it was fantastic! Essentially, it was like a summer camp for adults.

Have you watched the Yellowstone finale yet and do you know how it ended?

I haven’t seen the finale yet.

Are you OK if I spoil something for you? It’s more of a 1923 spoiler than a Yellowstone spoiler.

Yes, go ahead.

In the closing scene of Season 5B finale, Elsa Dutton (portrayed by Isabel May, who also narrates the Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923), made a voice cameo appearance to assert that the Duttons had been present for seven generations. Many viewers have been intrigued in mapping out the Dutton family tree, and it appears that Elsa’s character in 1923, Liz Dutton, may be the grandmother of John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner – a theory that many had already considered after Season 1 of 1923.

It’s news to me! During season one, we all joked about being the grandparents, with statements like “I’m the grandparent” and “No, I’m the grandparent”. However, none of us truly understood it at the time. That’s quite intriguing. I’ve examined numerous family trees myself, and I too am eager to find out more about this.

Previously, we found your 1923 character in a difficult situation following a miscarriage. She and her husband Jack (played by Darren Mann) had to confront the possibility that she might never be able to bear children. Now, let’s discuss some intriguing hints about season two, which will air on February 23. So, where do we resume Liz’s story?

Everything’s quite chaotic, but it’s an exhilarating journey, like the second season. Playing Elizabeth was a blast as we get to explore a new facet of her character in this season. Now she’s a Dutton and she faces immense challenges. And everyone else does too. I mean, it’s 1923, isn’t everyone tested? They all went through their share in the first season as well.

The anticipation was absolutely justified. I must admit, I was quite intrigued since I had no clue where Taylor was steering season two. Once we received the scripts and began filming, my response was simply, “Wow.” It was more than worth the two-year gap. Your high expectations are not only met but exceeded.

Michelle Randolph Has Seen the Reactions to Her ‘Landman’ Character: “It’s Sparking Conversation”

In an interview with THR, Brandon Sklenar mentioned that season two serves as the concluding part of the 1923 tale that Taylor Sheridan intended to share. Since we’ve wrapped up filming, does it seem like a closing chapter for this story?

It undeniably has that post-intermission vibe. You see, when one truly cherishes characters and a narrative, one never wishes for it to conclude. Even if it provides resolution for the viewers, it seldom seems sufficient. However, it unquestionably feels like the second part.

Jennifer Carpenter joined the 1923 season two cast. Did you two have any scenes together?

In 1923, Landman, and what I find fascinating about Taylor’s performances, is that he creates numerous storylines. Sometimes, these tales intertwine, resulting in a blend of different character dynamics. This could potentially be reflected in season two.

Returning to the topic of Landman, Billy Bob Thornton expresses optimism about the series running for several more seasons. Do you share this hope and think it might continue?

There’s a wealth of untapped potential in the character of Ainsley that I yearn to explore further. To truly bring a character to life, it seems essential to craft a rich backstory or hold firm convictions about their relationships. At this juncture, I could envision an entire series centered around Ainsley, and it might deviate significantly from viewers’ expectations. She holds a unique significance for me, and there are layers to her personality that may not be immediately apparent.

What would you want to dig into more with Ainsley?

At seventeen, Ainsley is maturing more than one might expect from her on-screen appearances. Occasionally, you can sense that she has a knack for understanding and navigating her parents’ emotions, showing signs of cunningness without being manipulative per se. She knows how to maneuver situations to get what she wants, yet she deeply cares for her family. Ainsley is discovering her identity, interacting with new friends at school, and balancing these experiences with her family life. It’s important to remember that beneath the character of the bratty daughter lies a complex individual, Ainsley. We are given a glimpse of only five percent of who she truly is, but as the series progresses, we hope to uncover more about this intriguing character.

Michelle Randolph Has Seen the Reactions to Her ‘Landman’ Character: “It’s Sparking Conversation”

Were you and Ali Larter able to become so coordinated playing mother and daughter during filming by spending a considerable amount of time together prior?

We’ve spent countless hours together, and my affection for her is profound. Strangely enough, without noticing it, we’d often synchronize our actions, even when on opposite sides of the room. I can’t help but wonder if our energies somehow merged, because during filming sessions, it didn’t feel like work at all; it was as if Ali and I were just enjoying each other’s company!

Is there another Sheridan-verse show you would want to pop over to?

I’m looking forward to checking out the Yellowstone spinoff series titled The Madison. It piques my curiosity quite a bit, as I don’t know much about it yet. Since Taylor’s team often works on several productions simultaneously, I gather that it’s bound to be something special.

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Every Sunday, you can find new episodes from Landman streaming on Paramount+. The seventh installment of the ten-episode season became available on December 22nd.

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2024-12-22 23:25