“I initially auditioned for…”: Landman’s Hot Attorney Kayla Wallace Nearly Played a Much-hated Role in Taylor Sheridan’s New Show
- Kayla Wallace plays attorney Rebecca Falcone in 'Landman,' who investigates a complex case.
- Wallace initially auditioned for the role of Ainsley Norris, which was later given to Michelle Randolph.
- Despite its compelling premise, 'Landman' has faced criticism for its portrayal of women, particularly Ainsley Norris.
Taylor Sheridan is back again with Landman, which is based on the landscape of the West Texas oil fields. The series promises viewers a gritty view of oil roughnecks and billionaires alongside the evolution of an industry that is slowly changing the global economy and politics.
Along with a promising cast, Landman stars Kayla Wallace, who is starting to make a niche for herself in the Sheridan world. However, the behind-the-scenes story of her introduction to the character of Rebecca Falcone paints a completely different picture.
Kayla Wallace’s Unexpected Landman Journey
Landman is more than just an oil field drama, it paints a picture of the ruthless atmosphere of West Texas. The show revolves around the character Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton. Norris is a landman in the cutthroat business of oil.
The main cast includes Jon Hamm and Jacob Lofland. Demi Moore and Ali Larter, among others. Among them, Kayla Wallace plays the role of Rebecca Falcone. However, in an interview with Decider, Wallace revealed that she first tried out for the role of Ainsley Norris, Norris’ teenage daughter.
I initially auditioned for Ainsley, Tommy’s daughter. Ultimately, my journey with Taylor and the producers led me to Rebecca, for which I’m so grateful. My character journey started in one direction and then totally shifted to a completely different role. It was fascinating to dive into the legal world.
Rebecca Falcone is a lawyer who is investigating a sophisticated case of a stolen plane loaded with drugs that got destroyed by an oil tanker truck, killing everyone involved in the scene. It’s a long way off from the teen role she originally auditioned for.
What makes Wallace’s casting journey even more special is that she got to spend time with Taylor Sheridan. The actress stated,
I’ve been acting for a long time, and you never get this much time with the creator of a series. It was such a gift.
Makers decided to go with Michelle Randolph for the role of Ainsley Norris. Randolph provides a complex representation of an ambitious teenager who struggles with their family’s oil business.
The Controversial Side of Landman
Despite Landman‘s promising cast and interesting and unique topic, it has faced its fair share of controversies. The show received a lot of criticism, mainly on the side of the women characters and Ainsley Norris’ storyline.
Many have felt that the show portrayed 17-year-old Ainsley inappropriately in some scenes. One scene of Tommy Norris with his daughter is especially embarrassing when he asks about her s*x life during the football match. The scene raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons.
Beyond Ainsley’s case, many have also felt the women in Landman as sidelined or rather flat characters. Ali Larter, who plays Tommy’s ex-wife and Ainsley’s mother, Angela Norris, is often shown in a revealing outfit, and her dynamics with her ex-husband also seem questionable at times.
On the other hand, Cami Miller, played by Demi Moore, has little in terms of character development. Not even Kayla Wallace, who portrays a smart lawyer could escape this typical image of a working woman.
More disturbing are the scenes where Ainsley is apparently s*xualized, as she is portrayed in a scene consisting of old men. As Landman keeps on progressing, its fans can hope that the positives of the show will break off such criticisms and reach for better portrayals.
Landman is now streaming on Paramount+.
