For many viewers, the most striking breakout performance in Landman belongs to Kayla Wallace, an actress whose career trajectory has taken a decisive turn with her work on the Paramount+ drama. After spending the early stages of her career building experience in Hallmark films and television, including a notable role on the long-running series When Calls the Heart, Wallace now finds herself at the center of a very different kind of story. In Landman, she plays Rebecca Falcone, a sharp, combative lawyer dispatched to the Texas oilfields to clean up legal messes with relentless efficiency. The role has not only introduced her to a broader audience, but has also allowed her to explore a depth and complexity she says she had never fully experienced before.

Set within the ever-expanding creative universe of Taylor Sheridan, Landman has quickly distinguished itself as one of the strongest entries in his body of work. With its neo-Western sensibility and a cast of characters so compelling they feel as though they could talk endlessly without losing the audience’s attention, the series has become a crown jewel of Sheridan’s storytelling. As Season 2 unfolds on Paramount+, Wallace reflects on how the new episodes initially felt like a natural continuation of what viewers had already seen from Rebecca.

She explains that in the opening episodes of the new season, Rebecca is very much the same woman audiences came to know before: fiercely competent, unflinching, and entirely devoted to her work. Wallace describes her as a workhorse and a powerhouse, someone who thrives in professional environments where pressure is high and emotional detachment is essential. At first, the character’s trajectory felt familiar. But as Wallace received additional scripts, her understanding of Rebecca began to shift. She recalls reading ahead and suddenly questioning who this woman really was beneath the armor she had built.

That shift becomes clear in episode four of the season, where viewers are shown a side of Rebecca that had previously been hidden. Instead of the intimidating lawyer who appears capable of sacrificing anything to win a case, Rebecca is placed in a situation that exposes her vulnerabilities. In a storyline involving turbulent air travel, she confronts her fear of flying, and in doing so, allows herself moments of levity and even humor. Wallace relishes this tonal change, noting that it gave her the opportunity to explore a more comedic range while still remaining grounded in the character’s psychology.

She describes the experience as challenging in the best possible way. For Wallace, it made complete sense that Rebecca could not be perfectly controlled at all times. Nobody, she argues, can be that composed without cracks forming somewhere. The fear of flying becomes a breaking point that feels both human and relatable, and Wallace found joy in portraying that unraveling. She compares it to a moment from the previous season involving a snake, where Rebecca’s composure briefly slipped, but says this new storyline allowed her to push that vulnerability much further.

Much of Wallace’s earlier work on Landman required her to dominate scenes filled with powerful personalities, both fictional and real. Rebecca’s job often places her in rooms with executives, oil workers, or grieving families, where she must control the conversation and steer outcomes in her favor. That task becomes even more daunting when the scenes are shared with actors such as Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Hamm, both of whom appeared prominently in the first season. Wallace admits that finding Rebecca’s confidence and authority was not instinctive for her personally. In fact, she laughs at the idea of behaving the way her character does in real life, acknowledging that it required her to access a kind of power that felt entirely foreign at first.

She explains that a crucial element of portraying Rebecca lies in understanding the emotional detachment required by her profession. As a lawyer, Rebecca must focus strictly on facts and outcomes, stripping emotion out of situations where most people would be overwhelmed by it. Wallace points to a particularly difficult storyline from the first season involving a character named Ariana, where Rebecca’s ability to remain emotionally distant was essential. Finding a way to suppress natural empathy while still conveying Rebecca’s seriousness and dedication was challenging, but Wallace believes it ultimately underscores how deeply her character values her work.

One of the most important factors in helping Wallace inhabit this mindset was her close collaboration with Sheridan. She describes him as someone who seems to operate with more hours in a day than anyone else, given the sheer volume of projects he oversees. That work ethic alone was inspiring, but more importantly, Sheridan invested time early on in developing Rebecca’s backstory with Wallace. They had extensive conversations about who Rebecca is, where she comes from, and why she behaves the way she does. Wallace says that level of trust and care is rare, and it set the tone for her entire experience on the show.

As Landman continues to grow in scope and reputation, Wallace believes its strength lies in the richness of its characters. Unlike some earlier Sheridan projects that became weighed down by unlikable personalities, Landman balances moral ambiguity with undeniable charisma. Even antagonistic figures retain a certain charm. Wallace speaks warmly about her fellow cast members, highlighting Thornton’s stoic presence as Tommy Norris and the contrasting energy brought by Ali Larter and Michelle Randolph as his wife Angela and daughter Ainsley. She notes that everyone on set plays their roles with such vitality that no two takes ever feel the same, keeping her constantly engaged and challenged.

One moment from Season 2 stands out vividly in her memory. During a break in filming, Wallace found herself sitting in a holding tent—hardly a glamorous green room—surrounded by actors she describes as legends. She recalls stopping and taking in the scene, struck by the surreal nature of casually chatting between takes with performers she had long admired. It was a pinch-me moment that reinforced how far she had come.

That sense of trust and creative freedom, Wallace says, is unlike anything she has experienced before. She credits the creative team and director Stephen Kay with allowing actors room to experiment before stepping in with guidance. The environment demands preparation and commitment, especially when sharing scenes with icons like Sam Elliott and Demi Moore. Rather than intimidating her, that challenge has motivated Wallace to work harder and refine her craft.

As Season 2 continues, Wallace hints that Rebecca’s life will only become more complicated, both professionally and personally. These developments will further explore her vulnerabilities, offering deeper insight into what drives her beneath the tough exterior. For Wallace, it is just the beginning of what promises to be a defining chapter in her career, one built on trust, collaboration, and the rare opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the industry’s most respected talent.