Landman Stars Clash With Creator Taylor Sheridan Over Sibling Rivalry

Michelle Randolph and Jacob Lofland admit they've asked Sheridan why their characters hate each other so much on the hit Paramount+ series.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Landman stars Michelle Randolph and Jacob Lofland, who play feuding siblings Ainsley and Cooper Norris on the show, have both reached out to creator Taylor Sheridan to ask why their characters have such an intense rivalry, as they don't understand the reasoning behind the constant animosity between the two. Sheridan is known for writing complex characters that provoke strong reactions, and the actors say they trust his vision even when they don't fully comprehend it.

Why it matters

The dynamic between Ainsley and Cooper is a key part of the drama and appeal of Landman, but the actors' confusion over the depth of their characters' hatred highlights how Sheridan's provocative writing style can sometimes leave even his own cast members puzzled. This provides insight into Sheridan's creative process and the challenges of bringing his distinctive vision to life.

The details

Randolph and Lofland, who play the feuding Norris siblings, have both reached out to Sheridan to ask for more context on why their characters hate each other so intensely. Randolph theorizes that Ainsley and Cooper are meant to be "mirrors" of each other, embodying opposing philosophies. Lofland has noted that he and Randolph get along great off-screen, making their on-screen animosity even more impressive. Sheridan is known for creating complex, provocative characters that elicit strong reactions, which can sometimes leave even his own cast members uncertain about the motivations behind the characters' behavior.

  • Randolph and Lofland have both questioned Sheridan about their characters' rivalry ahead of Landman Season 3.
  • Lofland previously discussed the disconnect between his and Randolph's real-life friendship and their characters' antagonism ahead of Season 2.

The players

Michelle Randolph

An actress who stars as Ainsley Norris, one of the feuding siblings, on the Paramount+ series Landman.

Jacob Lofland

An actor who stars as Cooper Norris, the other feuding sibling, on the Paramount+ series Landman.

Taylor Sheridan

The creator and writer of the Paramount+ series Landman, known for his provocative storytelling style that can sometimes leave even his own cast members puzzled.

Ali Larter

An actress who plays Angela Norris on Landman and has described Sheridan as a "provocateur" in how he builds his worlds.

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What they’re saying

“And we don't know [why they hate each other]. We've both called Taylor Sheridan and been like, 'Can you give us something to work off of?' It's really hard to hate each other, cause he's one of my great friends.”

— Michelle Randolph, Actress (Today)

“As soon as we met, we got along. We're best friends. We love each other.”

— Jacob Lofland, Actor (Collider)

“Honestly, Taylor Sheridan takes chances on actors, and he's one of the few people I feel like in the industry who really does that and has given us this opportunity, and I just am eternally grateful for him.”

— Michelle Randolph, Actress (Collider)

“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.”

— Ali Larter, Actress (Collider)

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to Landman Season 3 to see if Sheridan provides any further insight into the Ainsley-Cooper sibling rivalry.

The takeaway

Taylor Sheridan's provocative writing style, which challenges actors and audiences alike, is a key part of what makes his shows like Landman so compelling, even if it sometimes leaves the cast as perplexed as the viewers about the motivations behind the characters' actions.