Landman stars Ali Larter and Michelle Randolph form one of the most dynamic on-screen mother/daughter duos to inhabit the streaming landscape in recent years, thanks to Paramount+. As Angela Norris, the wife of Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), Larter is a force to be reckoned with. She snarls, she flirts, she yells, she curses, she cooks, and audiences eat it all up. As Ainsley Norris, Angela and Tommy’s teenage daughter, Randolph brings boundless energy to her role as a wide-eyed optimist on her way to becoming every bit as savvy as her mother. While Randolph’s career is just beginning (though she’s very well known to Taylor Sheridan fans from her work in 1923), Hollywood veteran Larter feels that she is just entering her “prime.” “I get to play a character who is incredibly alive,” gushed Larter. “She’s fiery and loves to break the rules, but has the capability to be incredibly vulnerable at times.” Though Angela is incredibly sure of herself, the same cannot be said for her daughter, Ainsley. “We first meet Ainsley when she’s 17,” said Randolph. “As an actress, I find it so fulfilling to play a character with so much room to grow.”

Both women are looking forward to their characters’ changing dynamics as Angela must reckon with the fact that Ainsley is leaving the Midlands to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. “Ainsley is going to TCU , but Angela is not letting go easily,” said Larter. Randolph, however, sees Ainsley as “just now realizing her independence.” “She’s learning how to navigate her identity and the attention she receives,” said Randolph. Will Ainsley’s new sense of self disrupt Angela’s perfect family? Fans will have to tune in to find out! Both Larter and Randolph spoke with Decider at a press junket to chat about what’s next for their characters, laugh about Tommy’s phone contact photo for Angela, and hint at whether we’ll see Randolph’s character Elizabeth Stanton in Sheridan’s upcoming 1944.

DECIDER: Ali, I look forward every time to seeing Angela on screen. What’s it like to play a character as complex and vivacious as her at this point in your career?

ALI LARTER: It’s enthralling. I’m so honored that Taylor chose me to bring Angela to life. I get to work with such extraordinary actors on this, in addition to our amazing crew, including our DP and director Steven Kay, who directed all the episodes. I’ve had to elevate my game, so that’s been challenging, but in the best of ways. Landman is not easy, but my God, it is fulfilling.

I feel like I’m a woman in my prime, and I get to play a character who is incredibly alive. She’s so present in her body. She’s fiery and loves to break the rules, but has the capability to be incredibly vulnerable at times. That’s the brilliance of Taylor’s writing. This season, we dig into the dynamics of the family as well as Tommy’s and Angela’s relationship. There are so many layers to the show. That’s what excites me the most.

Michelle, Ainsley is every bit as much of a force of nature as her mother. What can you tease about her journey in Season 2?

MICHELLE RANDOLPH: We first meet Ainsley when she’s 17. As an actress, I find it so fulfilling to play a character with so much room to grow. She’s still figuring out who she is in this world, and she’s just now appreciating her independence. She’s learning how to navigate her identity and the attention she receives.

This season, we’ll see her going off to college and exploring what it’s like to be on her own. I am as excited as the audience to figure out where that goes. Ainsley’s surprising me all the time. As she heads into her most formative years, I find I’m also growing with her.

Ali, how does Tommy becoming the president of M-Tex affect his and Angela’s relationship?

AL: She wants him to step into that role. She’s pushing him forward in his career, but she’s pushing him also to step up within his family. Tommy suffers a loss and that affects Angela. Family comes first now for her, and we really start to explore that this year. Ainsley is going to TCU , but Angela is not letting go easily. You’ll see how that transpires. If we’re lucky enough to do a third season, we will dig into the Norris family dynamic now Tommy and Angela are back together, but the kids are living their own lives.

I am also obsessed with Tommy’s contact photo for Angela in his phone. Why do you think he hasn’t yet changed it , even though they’ve rekindled their relationship?

MR: {Laughs} It’s hysterical!

AL: [Laughs] I had no idea that was going to be on there. It’s a screen grab of Angela yelling, and it obviously makes Taylor laugh. So that’s why he keeps it. Taylor has told me enough times that when he’s writing for my character, he honestly is cracking up as he goes along. If Taylor finds something funny, usually the audience does too.

Lastly, Michelle, are there any updates you can share about 1944? If Elizabeth’s story continues, what would you like to see?

MR: I’d love to see how she is doing after all that happened in 1923. She left so abruptly. I’m like, does she go back to the city? Does she stay in Montana after all? I don’t know anything about 1944, but I do know that if I could, I would love to be part of it and play Elizabeth once more.