Ali Larter defends Taylor Sheridan from criticism for ‘Landman’ character

Ali Larter is sticking up for Taylor Sheridan.

During the first season of his Paramount+ show “Landman,” Sheridan, 55, faced criticism for sexualizing Larter’s character, Angela Norris, who wore a bikini or tight dresses in most scenes.

But in a new interview with People, Larter, 49, defended Sheridan, calling him “a provocateur.”

“He loves to write characters that make people respond, that initiate a reaction, a feeling. And I think that what’s incredible about our show, and a lot of the shows that Taylor makes, is that they’re all wildly original and authentic to themselves,” the actress said.

Larter also applauded Sheridan’s “exciting” storytelling, including how he created a character for her who “beats to her own tune.”

“It’s incredible how Taylor made oil fascinating, and the landscape,” Larter continued about the series, which returns for Season 2 on Nov. 16. “You would never know that — this is why he’s such a genius — you would never know on paper that this show would be so riveting or so many people would love it, different generations of people who live in different places.”

“That they find a connection to it, I think, is super fascinating,” Larter added.

In “Landman,” Larter plays the ex-wife of Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a crisis manager for an oil company. The show, set within the world of oilfields in West Texas, also stars Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Michelle Randolph and Jacob Lofland.

Larter, who shares two children with husband Hayes MacArthur, also noted that she relates to Angela being a “fierce mama bear.”

“That’s a through line. I would move heaven and earth for my children,” the “Heroes” alum shared.

The “Legally Blonde” actress even revealed that Sheridan infused her “incredible love of cooking and food” into her character, which made the role that much better.

“Taylor started really pushing that after I was cast for the role,” said Larter. “I joked with him that during COVID, I was making Michelin-star Bento boxes for [my kids’] lunch.”

Sheridan created “Landman,” “Yellowstone,” “Special Ops: Lioness,” “Tulsa King” and more hits shows under Paramount. But in a shocking move, he’s decided to leave Paramount for NBCUniversal.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Sheridan had multiple disagreements with Paramount’s new CEO David Ellison, including refusing to make a show tied to America’s 250th anniversary next year because Sheridan thought it would be “too politically charged.”

There was allegedly also drama over “Lioness” star Nicole Kidman being cast in a separate Paramount series, “Discretion,” without Sheridan having a heads up.

Sheridan’s contract with Paramount isn’t over until 2028, but his time at NBC begins with a film deal going into effect in 2026.