‘Landman’ Star Paulina Chávez Says Ariana’s & Cooper’s “Connection Is So Pure”: “He Shows Her What True Love Might Really Be”

While Paramount’s hit series Landman is full of colorful and bombastic characters, the sneaky MVP of Taylor Sheridan’s exploration of the oil business and all in touches is Ariana (Paulina Chávez), a beautiful young mother who was made a widow after her husband Elvio was killed in an explosion out on the Patch. Needing help and financial guidance, she turns to Cooper Norris (Jacob Lofland)—the only survivor of the accident who happens to be the son of Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton)—and the two form a strong bond. Even after Cooper is beaten by her late husband’s cousin because of their attachment, Ariana continue to explore their powerful connection.

A veteran of Netflix’s The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia and Fate: The Winx Saga, Chávez was the one actress who could bring the complex Ariana to the screen. “I was immediately struck by how resilient Ariana is,” remembered Chávez. “There’s so much nuance to her.” After a tough audition process, Chávez was not sure if the role was truly meant for her. “I was really nervous,” said Chávez. “For most of the roles I’ve gotten to play, I’ve always had a feeling like, ‘yeah, this is mine.’ However, it was different with Landman.” Luckily, Sheridan knew she was the right woman for the job and put his faith in her when she felt unsure of herself. “I got a call from Taylor and he said, ‘I’m going to trust you with this role.’ I’m like, ‘okay, yeah, I’m in.’”

As the mourning widow, Chávez plays many different sides of the complex Ariana who is struggling with her new normal. “I love that she doesn’t apologize for what she is feeling,” said Chávez, noting that Ariana’s “strength comes from her vulnerability.” Part of what draws Ariana to Cooper is that he “holds space for her” and “doesn’t judge her.” “Grief is very weird and interesting,” noted Chávez. “There’s no cure for it except for just feeling it.”

Chávez spoke to DECIDER over Zoom about what drew her to the role, working with Sheridan, and what she will take away from playing Ariana.

DECIDER: While she’s not out on the Patch working or wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, Ariana is a vital thread in the fabric of Landman. What drew you to the role?

PAULINA CHAVEZ: Ariana is an amazing, well-rounded character. There’s so much nuance to her. The first script I received was for Episode 3, and I was immediately struck by how resilient she is. The more you see her, you realize how strong she is. Also, it was a chance to work with Taylor Sheridan.

You’re coming from the world of Netflix with The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia and Fate: The Winx Saga to the Taylor Sheridan Universe. What was that transition like?

A challenge, but a good one [laughs]. To be able to play a character as beautiful as Ariana is a dream. I didn’t expect to get something like this until I was a lot older. I’m honored that Taylor trusted me with her. She’s a widow with a child, which challenged me on many, many levels. It’s just such a beautiful story. I am so grateful to be able to tell it.

Can you tell me what the audition process was like?

I did a self-tape, and I didn’t hear anything for a few months. When I finally got the call, production flew me and some other actresses to Jackson Hole Wyoming to read more scenes and do a chemistry test. At the time, I had bright red hair and bangs. I was like, “maybe I’m not going to get it because of my hair!” [Laughs] But then I met Jacob for the chemistry read, and it went really well.

For most of the roles I’ve gotten to play, I’ve always had a feeling like, “yeah, this is mine.” However, it was different with Landman. It was down to me and one other girl, so I was really nervous. A few days after the audition, I got a call from Taylor who said, “I’m going to trust you with this role.” I’m like, “okay, yeah, I’m in.”

I cannot imagine another actress playing Ariana. In my other conversations with your cast mates, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to learn that Taylor Sheridan is only a phone call or a text away. Has that been the case for you?

As soon as he sent me all the scripts, he told me to text him once I was done reading them and had time to sit with the character. That was the coolest thing ever because he is such a busy person. It was something that I didn’t expect. I’ve been on some jobs where it was super hard to get a hold of the showrunner. I texted him, he responded, and we discussed Arianna’s arc and her development from episode three onward. He was always a phone call away.

I remember having a question about a scene in episode 8. I texted him and asked about his vision was for the scene so that we were aligned with other another. He immediately hopped on a call and we discussed the scene in depth. It was amazing to be able to do that.

Ariana has moments of such strength and then moments of such vulnerability when she needs Cooper. What was it like playing two very different sides of the same woman?

I feel like her strength comes from her vulnerability. It’s beautiful to see her and Cooper’s friendship flourish. Grief is very weird and interesting. It’s something that can’t be explained. There’s no cure for it except for just feeling it. Cooper holds space for her and doesn’t judge her. That’s what I love most about their connection.

I love that Ariana gives herself the grace to be a little “clumsy” while processing this incredible loss.

That’s something that I feel like I’m just now learning for myself. Life is hard [laughs]. It’s important to give grace to yourself, to not judge yourself, to not be so hard on yourself. Ariana’s so young, but she knows herself. She knows enough to know she’s still learning. That’s something that I will take from her.

More than anything, Ariana is a realist. After she and Cooper get interrupted for the second time, she says, “Maybe it’s God warning us to stop.” Does she worry about what people will say if she finds love so soon again?

Cooper himself has experienced some of the repercussions. I do believe part of her is concerned about how people are going to react. Will her neighbors and friends judge her for feeling what she does for Cooper? However, their connection is so pure. She wants to explore that connection because she has never felt that way before. Even though she truly believed Elvio was the love of her life, he’s gone. Then this guy comes in and shows her what true love might really be. She’s very curious about it.

In Episode 8, Ariana gives Cooper, Tommy, and the audience a glimpse into her relationship with Elvio with a powerful monologue. Can you talk about that sequence?

When I read that scene, I thought, “if the audience didn’t love her before this moment, they definitely will after this.” I love that she doesn’t apologize for what she is feeling. I think it’s so beautiful. We filmed that scene all day. I remember that with each take, I would find out something new about Ariana. Even after we had moved on from my coverage, I asked the director [Stephen Kay] to turn the camera back on me so I could try something else. I was allowed the freedom to explore. I was very lucky to have the support of the amazing cast and crew.

I love when she questions herself about dealing with Elvio’s death: “Am I avoiding it? Am I grieving it? Or did God show mercy on me and give me another love already?” Do you think it is the latter or a bit of all three?

I think it’s a little bit of all three. Up until that moment in Episode 8, Ariana has not truly grieved her husband. It’s has been only a month since he died. Life gets in the way of grief. She has a baby. She has bills to pay. She has to figure out her next steps financially. There’s a lot going through her head. That scene in Episode 8 is really the first time she’s ever given herself the space to outwardly grieve.

What can you tease about Ariana’s and Cooper’s journey the rest of the season?

You’re just going to have to wait and watch [laughs] Their bond is very strong and it continues to grow. I can say that much [laughs].