Across Sheridan’s sprawling TV empire, Randolph has embodied characters who feel both classic and contemporary. In 1923, she held her own opposite Hollywood heavyweights like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. In Landman, she plays Ainsley, the Daisy Dukes cutoff-wearing daughter of the characters played by Ali Larter and Billy Bob Thornton — a young woman growing up in the shadow of oil, money, and power. Pretty big contrast.
And while Landman became the most viewed series in Paramount+ history, not all the attention has been celebratory. Some criticism has centered on Ainsley’s provocative dialogue and storylines, which Randolph feels isn’t fair in the slightest, as she said in a new interview.
“I really wanted to approach Ainsley without judgment. Teenage girls are often simplified, especially in a show that is told from a perspective that is not hers. She’s curious. She is sincere, and growing up, and figuring herself out in real time. She’s experiencing so many different situations and dynamics that are entirely new to her. There is a vulnerability that comes with that, that was really important to me to show on screen. She’s not trying to shock her dad, she’s trying to be seen as her own person. To me, rebellion is not a part of who she is right now.”
Michelle Randolph Loves Working With Taylor Sheridan
“It really means a lot to me. I don’t take lightly that I’ve gotten to grow inside worlds created by the same storyteller. Both projects and experiences feel completely different, but after working with someone for over four years, you build a level of trust. I feel braver when I am less focused on proving myself. When I feel trusted, I am much more willing to take risks or be bold in moments that feel uncomfortable.”
Michelle Randolph will next be seen in Scream 7, while 1923 and Landman are currently streaming on Paramount+.
