Rebecca Falcone stands out as one of the most compelling characters on Landman—a role that required Kayla Wallace to immerse herself in the world of litigation to deliver an authentic performance.
In a interview, Wallace, 31, revealed her dedication to preparing for her role in Taylor Sheridan’s drama series by studying real-life court trials.
“I was really interested in the questioning and the manipulation of how litigators get what they need out of the questioning itself,” she shared. “I found that to be so fascinating. It’s a whole art on its own.”
To fully embody Rebecca, Wallace attended a trial in Fort Worth, where Landman was filmed, and turned to high-profile trials available online for additional insight.
“I watched some famous cases [and] celebrity trials,” Wallace explained, citing both the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial and the 2022 Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial as sources of inspiration.
Additionally, she revisited The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, noting, “That was super helpful.”
Rebecca’s Power on Display
In episode 4, Rebecca demonstrated her negotiating prowess during a heated deposition alongside Tommy (played by Billy Bob Thornton).
The standout scene included Rebecca boldly confronting a sexist attorney with the line, “Do you think they hired me because I’m pretty? I charge $900 an hour … and you’re real close to learning why.”
Wallace acknowledged that filming the intense, dialogue-heavy moment was a significant challenge.
“That scene was one of the biggest to tackle,” she admitted. “I remember feeling like I’d run a marathon at the end of the day.”
Reflecting on the experience, she added, “It was really wonderful to experience having to build that confidence in her and also in myself.”
A Role Made for Wallace
Playing Rebecca, whom Wallace describes as “a powerful, strong, smart woman,” has been a dream come true. Interestingly, the character was reimagined by Sheridan after he saw Wallace audition for the role of Ainsley, played by Michelle Randolph.
“I’m so honored that he saw whatever he saw in me and trusted me, almost in a time where I didn’t trust myself at first,” Wallace said.
She also expressed her appreciation for being part of Sheridan’s critically acclaimed television universe: “We all just feel so lucky to have him at the helm of our ship.”
Learning from a Legend
Working alongside Thornton, 69, provided Wallace with invaluable acting lessons. “It’s really inspiring to watch, and it makes filming a scene so exciting because he’s so in the moment,” she said. “He’s such a pro, and so incredibly talented — I took a lot away from him.”
Looking Ahead
The season 1 finale placed Rebecca in a difficult position when she was tasked with renegotiating a $175 million farmout lease that would involve fracking.
Although a second season of Landman has not yet been confirmed, Wallace is eager to continue exploring Rebecca’s journey.
“As they called out in episode 9, she’s not an oil and gas person — she’s a litigator with almost zero knowledge in this field, so I’m excited to see her navigate [a field] that she doesn’t know a lot about,” Wallace shared. “I also want to see who she is at the end of a workday.”
“I’m ready for more,” she concluded. “I hope that we get the chance.”