Michelle Randolph recently shared her perspective on the controversial scene featuring her and co-star Billy Bob Thornton in the premiere episode of Landman on Paramount+. The episode aired last month, sparking discussions among viewers.
The 27-year-old actress, known for her role in the Yellowstone prequel 1923, portrayed the character of Ainsley, Thornton’s outspoken teenage daughter in the show created by Taylor Sheridan. This role marked another significant project in Randolph’s acting career.
The scene in question involved Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, engaging in an awkward conversation with Ainsley during a high school football game. Tommy’s character delves into personal matters by inquiring about Ainsley’s relationship with her football player boyfriend, creating a tense moment between the two characters on screen.
She honestly told him they were, and also disclosed a ‘rule’ they both followed to ensure that she does get pregnant. Upon hearing it, a stricken look appeared on Thornton’s face before he uncomfortably excused himself to get a soda.
The scene went viral on social media, and Randolph broke her silence on the clip during a recent interview with The Wrap.
‘I just thought to myself, “How am I going to say this with a straight face, looking into Billy’s eyes?”‘
Michelle Randolph, 27, has finally addressed the infamous scene with co-star Billy Bob Thornton, 69, in the premiere episode of the Paramount+ series, Landman, which aired last month
Upon hearing his daughter’s ‘rule,’ a stricken look appeared on Thornton’s face before he uncomfortably excused himself to get a soda
‘I was Ainsley in that moment. I was not Michelle. And as Michelle, I will never be saying that to my father. Let’s be clear,’ she continued.
The actress further reflected that, ‘there was definitely a point where my face turned bright red and we started laughing, because I just couldn’t help it.’
Randolph then told the outlet that the scene was actually filmed during a real football game.
‘There’s people watching, and I’m like, “They don’t know anything about the show. They don’t know the scripts. They don’t know the premise, and if they can overhear this one line, what do they think that we’re filming?”‘
While talking to The Wrap, she also discussed about stepping into the shoes of Ainsley – who is 17-years-old in the show.
‘I just had to really find a way to understand why someone would be this candid – she’s so unbridled and free spirited and confident.’
‘I just had to really tap into that every single day on set, and it was challenging, but it was so fun to just kind of go into her mindset,’ Randolph explained. ‘I wish I was more unfiltered as a person.’
The budding star later opened up about working alongside Billy Bob Thornton – who is known for other projects such as Bad Santa, Fargo and Monster’s Ball.
The scene went viral on social media, and Randolph broke her silence on the clip during a recent interview with The Wrap
‘I was Ainsley in that moment. I was not Michelle. And as Michelle, I will never be saying that to my father. Let’s be clear,’ she continued
The actress further reflected that, ‘there was definitely a point where my face turned bright red and we started laughing, because I just couldn’t help it’; seen earlier this month in L.A.
‘I had just come off working with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford so I was like, “If Billy Bob’s next, I think I’m just going to pass out before work every day anyways. I might as well try to work with Billy every day.”‘
While Thornton played her father in the show, Ali Larter portrayed her on-screen mother.
Michelle expressed that the trio ‘became a real family’ while they filmed the series in Texas.
The premise of the show follows, ‘A modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of West Texas oil rigs,’ per an IMDB synopsis.
The cast also includes Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, Jon Hamm, James Jordan, Demi Moore and Paulina Chavez.
Since its release on Paramount+, Landman has become the number one series of all time on the streaming site.
Not long after the first two episodes aired, viewers jumped to social media to share their thoughts on the show.
One penned on X, ‘I just watched the Landman pilot. Taylor Sheridan may have another banger on his hands, I fear.’
While Thornton played her father in the show, Ali Larter portrayed her on-screen mother (seen above)
Another praised the casting by sharing, ‘Anyone watch the new series Landman last night after Yellowstone? I liked it. Billy Bob Thornton is PERFECT for this role.’
‘Ever since Yellowstone I’ve looked forward to whatever show he puts out. Then Tulsa King sold it for me. And now Landman in 2 episodes has sold me. He’s definitely their guy,’ a fan typed out.
Randolph is no stranger to working with Taylor Sheridan, and starred in the Yellowstone prequel series, 1923, as Elizabeth Strafford.
During an interview with Town & Country earlier this month, the House Of The Witch actress reflected on collaborating with Sheridan on two different shows.
Since its release on Paramount+, Landman has become the number one series of all time on the streaming site
During an interview with Town & Country earlier this month, the House Of The Witch actress reflected on collaborating with Sheridan on two different shows; Sheridan seen in 2021 in Las Vegas
‘There’s no denying the fact that he is genius,’ she gushed of the Yellowstone creator.
‘He has, I don’t know how many amazing shows out right now, and he just builds these universes and he invites you, as an actor, to live in this universe.’
She explained, ‘And he works with fantastic crew and it’s a well-oiled machine on set every day. It’s like everyone speaks a secret language. It really feels like a family working for him.’
Along with starring in Landman, Randolph is also reprising her role of Elizabeth Strafford in the upcoming second season of 1923 – which is set to premiere next year on February 23.
