‘Landman’ Stars Paulina Chávez & Jacob Lofland Drop Bombshell About Ariana & Cooper’s Relationship

One of the most moving, affecting parts of Landman Season 1 was the budding relationship between young oil man Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland) and the recently widowed Ariana Medina (Paulina Chávez). In Season 2, the two are living together, but Medina pushes Norris away after several of his wells strike oil and their lives are poised to change forever. Still mourning the death of her beloved husband, Elvio, Medina is confused about where her heart lies. “Her connection with Cooper is very different from what she had with Elvio,” said Chávez. “It is scary to allow yourself to fall in love.”

Chávez also notes that Norris’ chosen profession is also a hurdle for their relationship. “She’s hesitant because he’s also in the oil industry and continuing to be in that world is very scary and terrifying for her.” To his credit, Norris allows Medina time to think, but won’t allow her push him away completely. “He just wants to make her happy. That’s all he has wanted from the beginning,” explained Lofland. “He doesn’t want to accept rejection because it’s a heartbreaking thing. He’s got so much respect for her, though. He’s going to do whatever she says.”

When asked what they could tease about Norris’ and Medina’s relationship going forward, both Chávez and Lofland remained mum. “All we can say is it’s going to be extremely interesting,” said Lofland. “We know people are going to love it, and we cannot wait to see people’s reactions.” Chávez couldn’t agree more with her co-star and added, “we’re so excited to watch it too.”

Chávez and Lofland spoke to Decider during a press junket all about the dynamic between their characters. Plus, Lofland also weighed in on working with the series’ latest cast addition, Sam Elliott, and more.

DECIDER: Jacob, this season you not only get to continue to work with Billy Bob Thornton, you also get to work with Sam Elliott. Is every day on the set of Landman a “pinch me” moment for you?

JACOB LOFLAND: Yes, exactly. That’s exactly how I’ve answered that question every time and I’m still doing it. The fact that we’re sitting here and talking about those two guys is insane. I never would have dreamed in a million years that I would be in this position, but I’m so fortunate and so thankful.

What do you think Sam Elliott added to the dynamic of the cast?

JL: Other than just being an absolute legend, Sam has such heart and brings such professionalism to the set each day. He’s devoted to his craft, and it shows. It just bleeds out. Working with both Sam and Billy Bob is a pinch me moment. Getting to witness them together in scenes is a lot of fun too.

The relationship between Cooper and Ariana grounds the series in a lot of ways. Paulina, you have a lot to do what that. Why do you think she keeps pushing Cooper away?

PAULINA CHÁVEZ: There’s a level of scariness to jumping into a relationship that is so pure. Her connection with Cooper is very different from what she had with Elvio. It is scary to allow yourself to fall in love. I think she’s also hesitant because he’s also in the oil industry and continuing to be in that world is terrifying for her. She never knows if he’s going to come back home or not. I think it’s so beautiful because that’s life, you know? You need to learn to accept the things that you deserve.

Jacob, why do you think that Cooper doesn’t let Ariana push him away completely?

• JL: He just wants to make her happy. That’s all he has wanted from the beginning. If she wants some space, then that’s what he’s going to give her. He’ll be there for her. He understands why she wants to push him away. He doesn’t want to accept rejection because it’s a heartbreaking thing. He’s got so much respect for her, though. He’s going to do whatever she says.
• PC: And he’s going to be patient. Every good man that wants you like that will be.

Can you tease what lies ahead for your characters this season?

• JL: All we can say is it’s going to be extremely interesting [laughs]. We know people are going to love it, and we cannot wait to see people’s reactions.
• PC: And we’re so excited to watch it too.

Jacob, it’s clear that Cooper is in over his head when it comes to Gallino. What can you tease about the Norris family’s relationship with him in Season 2?

Cooper’s just learning , so he and the audience are going to go through this problem together. It’s going to be a fun dynamic to see. In the beginning, he really has no idea what’s going on. He thinks he struck gold; he thinks it’s awesome [laughs]. He comes to find out that maybe it isn’t so awesome. Now he’ll have to start backing up and go, “well, maybe we don’t need to make these decisions so fast.”