As Elizabeth Strafford in 1923 and Ainsley Norris in Landman, Michelle Randolph quickly became the secret weapon of both series created and executive produced by Taylor Sheridan for Paramount+. 1923, which returns for its second in February 2025, is the prequel to Yellowstone, and the sequel to 1883, charting the tumultuous rise of the Dutton family. Landman, which is one of Paramount+’s new hit series, is about the oil industry and is set in the boom towns of West Texas.
A Southern California native, Michelle Randolph’s breakthrough film role was in the 2017 Syfy horror movie, House of the Witch. Coincidentally, Darren Mann played the boyfriend of Randolph’s character, and they now play young lovers Jack Dutton and Elizabeth Strafford in 1923. The lead role in 2018’s A Snow White Christmas and 2021’s The Resort followed before Randolph got the opportunity to audition for Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel. Randolph not only holds her own in scenes with 1923’s big name actors Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, and Landman’s Billy Bob Thornton, but Michelle stands out opposite those heavy hitters.
Michelle Randolph Is The Secret Weapon Of Yellowstone Prequel 1923 & Landman
Randolph Steals Scenes As Elizabeth Strafford & Ainsley Norris
Michelle Randolph is so prominent in 1923, and even more so in Landman, that she is in no way kept a “secret,” but Randolph has emerged as one of the best reasons to watch both Taylor Sheridan series. In 1923, Elizabeth Strafford’s romance with Jack Dutton may feel overshadowed by the flashier love story between Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer), but one of 1923’s low-key character arcs is how the pregnant Elizabeth comes to accept and take ownership of the harsh realities of becoming part of Yellowstone’s Dutton family. Watching Elizabeth find an inner steel is riveting, and she proves she belongs alongside Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren).
In Landman, Michelle Randolph, who is 27, plays a wildly different character. As 17-year-old Ainsley Norris, Randolph preternaturally combines a charming innocence with a carefree sexuality. Randolph steals every scene she is in; although Landman has been criticized for overtly sexualizing Ainsley (and Randolph), her conflicted teenager obviously loves her workaholic father, Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), and has a keen understanding of how disarming she is, a trait inherited from her mother, Angela (Ali Larter). It’s unclear what direction Landman is taking Ainsley in, but it’s impressive how Randolph skillfully embodies two very distinctive characters.
Michelle Randolph Joins Taylor Sheridan’s Impressive Company Of Recurring Actors
Could Michelle Randolph Appear In Other Taylor Sheridan Shows?
It’s a testament to Michelle Randolph’s talent that she joins the impressive company of actors who repeatedly appear throughout Taylor Sheridan’s TV universe. Being a member of Yellowstone’s Dutton clan is already a feather in Randolph’s cap, but being cast in Landman validates the faith Sheridan has in Michelle and her abilities. After all, Taylor Sheridan’s favored recurring actors include Billy Bob Thronton, LaMonica Garrett, Dawn Olivieri, Robin Lively, Neal McDonough, James Jordan, Graham Greene, and Sheridan himself.
There is every chance that Randolph could be invited into Taylor Sheridan’s other series.
Landman season 2 seems likely, with Michelle Randolph hopefully continuing to play Ainsley. Although 1923 season 2 is also its last, Randolph’s Elizabeth Dutton plays a key role in the continuation of Montana’s first family. There is also every chance that Randolph could be invited into Taylor Sheridan’s other series, like Lioness, or in shows he has yet to create or are in development. Between 1923 and Landman, Michelle Randolph quickly made her mark in Taylor Sheridan’s expansive TV universe, and she is only getting started.