At a Glance
- Paulina Chávez filmed a violent sexual assault scene in episode 9 of Landman season 2 that left her sobbing
- The 23-year-old actress says her body reacted as if the attack were real, not staged
- She credits the intimacy coordinator and a supportive crew for helping her process the trauma
- Why it matters: The scene, designed to show Ariana’s resilience, highlights the emotional toll on actors portraying extreme violence
The penultimate episode of Landman season 2 delivered one of television’s most harrowing moments of the year. Ariana, played by Paulina Chávez, is ambushed behind the bar where she works and fights off a patron determined to rape her. In an interview with News Of Losangeles, Chávez details how the realistic violence triggered a visceral reaction that lingered long after the cameras stopped.
The Attack
Johnny, a customer Ariana had doused with beer in an earlier episode, waited by the back door of The Patch. When she stepped outside, he slammed her against the wall, forced her to the ground, ripped open her shirt and tried to unbutton her jeans.
Chávez, 23, tells News Of Losangeles the moment the fabric tore triggered genuine terror: “The very first shirt rip was the most terrifying thing ever. Even though it’s fake, your body doesn’t know the difference between reality and fantasy.”
A Three-Part Shoot
Production broke the assault into distinct sections:
- Day 1: The alley confrontation
- Day 2: The ground struggle
- Day 3: Cooper’s arrival and rescue
Three days of rehearsals preceded filming. By the time the crew rolled, Chávez says, “We were all very much comfortable with the movements and very comfortable with each other – that allowed me to bring the emotion on the day without fear.”
Raw Emotion
Nothing prepared her for the emotional surge after the first take.
“I didn’t allow myself to think about it too much until I put myself in that situation,” she says. “I bawled my eyes out. It was just a woman’s worst nightmare.”
She recalls shaking while recounting the July shoot: “I remember I couldn’t stop crying after that first take. I needed a good five minutes to get myself ready for the next take.”
On-Set Safety
Intimacy coordinator Mam Smith guided the actors through breathing exercises and post-scene rituals designed to prevent emotional residue.
“She really talked us through the breathwork and what we need to do afterwards so it doesn’t stay with us,” Chávez says.
The actress also praised the crew’s respect and professionalism, noting that knowing what sensations to expect helped her regain control as filming progressed.
Aftercare Ritual
When the final take wrapped, the cast shared a ceremonial shot of tequila.
“I take aftercare very seriously and definitely just giving myself extra love that night was very important,” Chávez says.
Purpose of the Scene
Before shooting, she discussed the sequence with series creator Taylor Sheridan. He emphasized the narrative goal: showcase Ariana’s unbreakable spirit.
“The whole purpose of [the scene] is to show that Ariana is strong and she is a fighter,” she explains. “The thing about this scene is I never want Ariana to stop fighting. Cause she is a fighter.”
That directive shaped every physical choice Chávez made. Even while pinned beneath her attacker, Ariana never stops resisting.
Viewer Impact
The episode, which premiered January 11, ends with Cooper bursting into the alley and pulling Johnny off Ariana. The rescue sets the stage for the January 18 season finale on Paramount+.
Support Resources
The episode closes with information for viewers affected by sexual violence:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Online support: rainn.org
Key Takeaways
- Paulina Chávez endured emotional fallout while filming a realistic assault scene
- An intimacy coordinator and supportive crew helped her manage trauma responses
- The sequence aimed to highlight Ariana’s resilience, not gratuitous violence
- Aftercare, both personal and professional, proved essential for the 23-year-old actress
