Ali Larter Praises ‘Landman’ Intimacy Coordinator But Notes Filming Sex Scenes Never “Gets Easier”

After 25 years, Ali Larter still isn’t used to filming intimate scenes, but she appreciates the new era of safe on-set environments.

The Landman star recently opened up about working with the Paramount+ series’ “amazing” intimacy coordinator Mam Smith on her scenes with co-star Billy Bob Thornton, noting that she finds on-set intimacy “terribly uncomfortable.”

“It’s awful. I wouldn’t even say it’s easier when you’re 19,” Larter told Yahoo Entertainment after making her whipped cream-clad breakout performance in 1999’s Varsity Blues.

“You know, at this point, I’ve carried two babies,” she said. “So, I’m like, if you still want to see it, let’s go.”

Although she doesn’t feel that filming intimate scenes “ever gets easier,” Larter raved of working with Smith, “She’s there with us the whole time. They close the sets down.”

Created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, Landman stars Thornton as oil company crisis executive Tommy Norris, who attempts to take his company to the top amid a fueling boom in West Texas, which is overrun by roughnecks and billionaires trying to get rich quick on oil rigs.

Larter stars in Landman, which premieres Sunday on the streamer, as Tommy’s “passionate and feisty” ex-wife Angela, who wants him back. She noted that the intimacy made sense for their dynamic.

“I just feel like this was very warranted within the character, and this is who [Sheridan] wrote so I wanted to be able to go there for it. And I wanted to feel confident going into it,” she explained.

The actress also praised Sheridan, Thornton and director Stephen Kay for making her feel safe on set. “I love being able to play someone that was kind of provocative and also could show herself so vulnerable and raw,” added Larter. “You kind of have to hold on for dear life when you watch Angela.