Behind-the-scenes details forLandmanseason 2 have me concerned that Taylor Sheridan will continue a divisive trend in the sophomore run of his oil drama.Landmanseason 1 premiered at the end of last year and was immediately popular. However, the series created a controversial trend with one of the leadingLandmancharacters.
Billy Bob Thornton helms thecast ofLandmanas Tommy Norris, the fixer for M-Tex Oil in the freshman season, and soon to be its president after Jon Hamm’sMonty Miller died at the end ofLandmanseason 1. The cast comprises Tommy’s peers and family, and it’s his daughter, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), who often draws negative attention.
Landman Season 2’s “Creepy” Background Character Continues A Controversial Trend
In manyepisodes ofLandmanseason 1, backlash surrounded Ainsley Norris because she was overtly sexualized. While the actor is in her late 20s, the decision was controversial because Ainsley is just 17 years old in season 1. Men in the series, like Tommy’s co-worker Nathan (Colm Feore), can hardly keep from staring.
Now, details seemingly suggest that season 2 might be continuing the same approach. TheFort Worth Star-Telegramreported that a casting call forLandmanseason 2 wanted someone in their mid-40s to play an“ogling man”who“sees several of the show’s female cast members” and “stares at them creepily/ogling.”
While the description doesn’t mention Ainsley or Angela Norris (Ali Larter), they are the most prominent women in the cast, and the only ones who regularly appear together. Therefore, we can assume someone will be checking out the Norris women, continuing the trend with Tommy’s daughter.
Ainsley might be 18 inLandmanseason 2, but she’s still young, and many audience members could still find the trend uncomfortable and unnecessary if it continues. Ainsley has some of the most controversial scenes in season 1, with ashocking moment inLandman’s premiere taking the cake.
InLandmanepisode 1, Tommy attends a football game with Ainsley and her boyfriend, Dakota Loving (Drake Rodger). When chatting with her father, Ainsley goes into graphic detail about her and her boyfriend’s decided-upon rules for practicing safe sex.
Landmanseason 2 premieres November 16 on Paramount+.
The trend continues when Ainsley convinces her next boyfriend, Ryder (Mitchell Slaggert), to strip down and dance for a group of elderly folks from a nursing home. While the spirit of the scene is relatively innocent, it was a continuation ofLandmanshowing its teen characters in explicitly sexual situations, alienating some of its audience.
