What you need to know
Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter’s chaotic on-screen marriage in The Landman rang some bells.
In the hit Taylor Sheridan series, the 70-year-old actor plays Tommy Norris, an oilman who reconciles with his firecracker ex-wife Angela (Latter). Their relationship is intense and unpredictable. Take, for example, how Angela trashed the living room by throwing plates of pasta everywhere after Tommy made a comment about periods.
“Every time we do a scene together, we have so much fun,” Thornton tells PEOPLE.
Adding to the chaos are two daughters, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), who have followed in their mother’s footsteps.
“It’s a full-time job,” Thornton said. “It was awesome. I mean, those girls, we love them in real life and as characters.”
He says the scenes with Larter, 49, particularly stand out.
“I sometimes have flashbacks to different times in my life,” says Thornton, who has been married six times. “oh yeah.”
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
The actor said that he and Larter “had a natural chemistry” when they met before filming season 1, saying, “Automatically, Ali and I were just passionate friends.”
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.
He feels a similar connection to Randolph, 28. “So, automatically, I was protecting Michelle,” he says.
Thornton said Landman is unique in the industry. He says that’s because “there’s never a day when we don’t want to go to work. We love going to work on this show, and we love the whole cast.”
“It’s a great staff, the best staff I’ve ever worked with. Taylor had some great words, great stories,” he continued. “Honestly, I feel blessed every day because of this show. There’s never been a day where I’ve thought, ‘Wow, I wish I could get out of here.’ That’s never going to happen. It’s an amazing place.”
Samir Hussain/WireImage
Thornton has nothing but praise for her scene partner Larter, and she speaks equally passionately about working with him.
“I get to work next to one of the best actors in this business, and I think he brings out the best in me,” she tells PEOPLE. “In our world, when we work together, there’s never a beat that’s not authentic. It’s incredible. I love him so much.”
New episodes of Landman premiere Sunday on Paramount+
