‘Landman’ Star Paulina Chávez Shares Advice From Taylor Sheridan About Filming Ariana’s Assault: “You Never Stop Fighting, Ever”

Paulina Chávez is the perfect choice to play one of Landman‘s most resilient characters. After the death of her oil worker husband, Elvio, Ariana Medina was left with a baby and no source of income. Thanks to the kindness of Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland), she was able to get back on her feet and learn to love again. After a brief break, the two recommitted themselves to each other. “When you’ve gone through the trauma Ariana has experienced, you need to take a step back and figure out what you truly want,” explained Chávez. ‘She’s very sure that she and Cooper will be able to walk through life and handle any situation—bad or good—together.”

With Ariana and Cooper happily engaged, it seemed that everything was looking up for the lovebirds. Cooper began working for his father, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), and running a crew, and Ariana found a job at The Patch, the local West Texas watering hole frequented by roughnecks, oil men, and an all-around tough crowd. “Ariana had never applied for a job before. She never had to worry about finances,” said Chávez. “Getting a job at The Patch her chance to prove to herself that she’s a badass in her own right.”

Unfortunately for Ariana, a patron—whom she once embarrassed because of his bad behavior—returned to The Patch to confront and sexually assault her in the back alley of the establishment. “I definitely was not expecting it,” said Chávez when asked to share her initial reaction to reading the scene. “It’s terrifying to think about that happening.” Luckily, creator Taylor Sheridan was on-hand to offer her advice. “He told me, ‘No matter what, even though you get knocked out for a second, you never stop fighting, ever.’”

Chávez hopped on a Zoom to discuss the pivotal moment, why Ariana and Cooper’s relationship is stronger than ever, and which Landman characters she’d like to have more scenes with.

DECIDER: Paulina, one of the brightest spots in this season of Landman has been watching Ariana’s and Cooper’s relationship continue to blossom. How did that brief separation reaffirm their devotion to each other?

PAULINA CHAVEZ: When you’ve gone through the trauma Ariana has experienced, you need to take a step back and figure out what you truly want. She’s thinking: “Is this real? Is this what I want? Is his being in the oil industry going to tear us apart? I have a baby to consider!” I also think that Ariana’s going to the funeral with Cooper and seeing his family dynamic helps her to understand him a little bit better. At the end of the day, they are people that want to see each other thrive, and that makes everything a little bit easier.

What do you think pushed Ariana to encourage Cooper to propose so quickly?

It’s common in Mexican families not to move out until you’re married. It’s something that’s so embedded in our heads that we don’t even realize it until we’re in a committed relationship. It’s just like, “I need a ring on my finger just so I’m comfortable,” which is so weird. That mentality is still a very real thing nowadays.

Ariana doesn’t just date people for fun. She dates people with intention. If that person is not right for her, then she’s not going to waste her time with them. She’s very sure that she and Cooper will be able to walk through life and handle any situation—bad or good—together.

Also, they both know how fleeting life can be, especially for oil workers. She learned that the hard way with Elvio’s passing. She knows how rare it is for her to meet someone who becomes her best friend. Why let that go? Why be scared to take that leap? There are no rules when it comes to true love.

I liked that Ariana made Cooper seek permission from both her own family and Elvio’s family. How important is it to respect her late husband?

Family is so important to her. Family is where Ariana gets her strength. Elvio’s mother, Isabel, has known Ariana since she was in diapers. She is like a second mom to her, in a way. Ariana will always respect her son.

For someone as savvy and smart as Ariana , it was interesting to see her doubt herself when applying for the job at The Patch. How important is it for her to get out of the house and gain some agency ?

She wanted to prove to herself that she can absolutely handle things on her own. She can get a job. She can pay the bills on her own. She doesn’t need Cooper to take care of her, which was important for her to find out. Ariana had never applied for a job before. She never had to worry about finances. Getting a job at The Patch gave the chance to prove to herself that she’s a badass in her own right.

I think I speak for audiences everywhere when I say that it was really tough to watch Ariana get attacked in the back alley of The Patch by that unruly patron. What was your initial reaction to reading that in the script?

I definitely was not expecting it. It’s terrifying to think about that happening. We as women are always watching our surroundings, making sure that nobody is following us, and doing what we can to protect ourselves. I remember having the conversation with Taylor after reading the script, and he told me, “No matter what, even though you get knocked you out for a second, you never stop fighting, ever.”

It was very important for me to show that Ariana was never going to quit. I had to work with the show’s stunt team for the first time, which was interesting to explore as an actor. It was a nerve-racking day to be on set. The first time we ran through that sequence was rough. I had to allow things to feel real for the brief time the camera was on.

I think it’s a gift when a series has one director like Stephen Kay. How did he help you mentally prepare for that scene?

I love Stephen. He is an absolute dream to work with. He, along with everybody else on that set, is so respectful. He has a daughter too so he really was able to take in the weight of what Ariana was going to experience. He was very much just like, “give it all you’ve got, kid.” Stephen, Taylor, and I all agreed that Ariana would never quit fighting. If Cooper hadn’t showed up, I know Ariana could have killed that man.

What can you say about the impact this event will have on Cooper’s and Ariana’s relationship?

This event is not going to define her, and it’s not going to define the dynamics within Ariana’s and Cooper’s relationship. Cooper now has a better understanding of the fear that women deal with on a daily basis. This experience has been eye-opening for him. If anything, what they went through together is just going to bring them closer.

I wish we could see Ariana regularly interact with more people in Cooper’s world. Is there any one character you wish Ariana had more scenes with? And why?

I would love to act more with Kayla Wallace, who plays Rebecca. I would love for them to form a friendship because they both need connection. I would also love to see Ariana, Ainsley, and Angela go to the spa together or go shopping [laughs]. Ainsley and Cooper have such a weird sister brother relationship too. Ariana could say, “wait, why do you all hate each other?”

The animosity between Ainsley and Cooper fascinates me because there’s no real reason for it. Maybe Ariana could be the one to bring them together?

I agree! She could be besties with Ainsley and make her see that if Cooper can get a woman like Ariana to fall for him, he can’t be all bad [laugh].