Ali Larter has come to Taylor Sheridan’s defense, responding sharply to those who claim the acclaimed creator cannot write strong female characters, as reported by Fox News.

Sheridan has developed a powerhouse lineup of projects, including “Yellowstone,” “Landman,” “Lioness,” and “Mayor of Kingstown,” and his creative influence has become one of the most dominant forces in entertainment.

Despite his success, criticism has followed him, with some arguing his female portrayals lack depth. But Larter, one of the leading stars of Sheridan’s new series “Landman,” has made clear she believes that view is completely misguided.

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Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Larter addressed the debate directly.

She dismissed the idea entirely, telling the outlet, “It’s just a false narrative… I also feel like what he does is, you just don’t see a lot of women in film and television that embrace their sexuality.”

She pointed out that onscreen portrayals of confident, mature women remain rare, adding, “It just stops at a certain age. I’m always amazed at how shocked people are by it [on Landman], and I’m thrilled, because it’s ridiculous.”

Larter’s character, Angela Norris, appears in the second season of “Landman,” which streams on Paramount+. The show, like many of Sheridan’s productions, showcases a raw, unfiltered world and complex characters navigating tough environments.

Damn. Ali Larter is still fine as hell. pic.twitter.com/POwBdJGTsi

— Valar Dohaeris (@majorsofty) April 16, 2026

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Her comments align with the broader defense some in the industry have offered for Sheridan’s writing. His supporters often note that his series “Lioness” places women at the center of the story and that their strength and flaws drive the plot.

The criticism, however, has lingered. Observers have speculated that it began with the 2015 film “Sicario,” which Sheridan wrote. Emily Blunt’s character in that film was portrayed as naive to what was really happening around her.

Defending Sheridan’s approach, commentators argue that Blunt’s character was intentionally designed to be unaware, because within the story, she was chosen precisely for not knowing too much.

To critics, this was poor writing; to defenders, it was deliberate storytelling that underscored larger themes of deception and manipulation.

Sheridan’s career and influence have continued to grow despite the debate. His comprehensive deal with NBCUniversal reportedly exceeds $1 billion, underscoring his commercial and creative value across the entertainment landscape.

Supporters like Larter point to that success and the depth of his work as evidence that his writing connects with audiences in ways that dismissive critiques fail to capture.

As she put it in her interview, Sheridan’s ability to portray women embracing their power and identity is something Hollywood doesn’t show enough.

Her defense reinforces the idea that complex female characters are present in his work, even if some viewers don’t recognize them.

For Larter, the conversation speaks to a larger issue in the industry. She sees Sheridan’s approach as both authentic and bold, and she made it clear she’s proud to be part of that creative world.

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