How a Model Became TV’s Most Surprising Quarterback
If you heard a strange whoosh out near the West Texas oilfields, that was probably just a Calvin Klein model tumbling head-long into the heart of cowboy country. Mitchell Slaggert — yes, that guy from all those cologne billboards — now muddies his boots in the Paramount+ hit “Landman” as Ryder Sampson. The twist? He pulls it off. And if you think that’s odd, just wait for the details.
A Shocking Detour: From Military Dreams to Fashion Spotlights
Let’s back up. Young Slaggert didn’t always dream of fashion shoots or film premieres. Actually, he wanted the Marines — marching boots and all. After a childhood car accident, though, he faced a serious health hurdle. One kidney, that’s it. Military plans: dashed. But the universe gives, occasionally in the most ludicrous places.
So he sticks to school instead, studying mechanical engineering at the University of North Carolina. Fate, apparently, loves a cliché. Slaggert’s big break arrives not in a casting office, but on a street corner in Wilmington, North Carolina. Casting legend Daniel Peddle — yes, the same guy who discovered Jennifer Lawrence — literally stops him in his tracks. Before long, Calvin Klein and Versace are calling. One minute, he’s engineering; next minute, he’s adjusting underwear for global campaigns. It really goes like that sometimes.
- Born: September 15, 1994, Fayetteville, GA
- Military dreams foiled by a childhood car accident
- Discovered on the street by Daniel Peddle
- Modeled for Calvin Klein, Versace, Dsquared2, Philipp Plein, more
Runway to Run Lines: Enter the Cameras
Fashion runways look fun. But, honestly, after a while, the posing can get a little stale. Slaggert, never one to settle, catches the acting bug. His movie debut? A leading role in “Moss,” an indie drama that wowed folks at the 2017 LA Film Festival. Shortly after, he pops up in the horror flick “Wish Upon,” rubbing elbows with stars like Joey King and Ryan Phillippe.
He doesn’t stop there, because why would he? HBO Max calls with a recurring spot in Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” Slaggert plays Jackson — the hot neighbor, naturally. Then comes the “Gossip Girl” reboot. Everywhere flashbulbs go, it seems, this guy shows up next.
- First major film: “Moss” (2017), directed by Daniel Peddle, premiered at LA Film Fest
- Feature horror role: “Wish Upon” alongside Joey King
- TV credits: “Sex Lives of College Girls” (as Jackson), “Gossip Girl” reboot
All Eyes on Ryder in ‘Landman’
Now here’s where things start to get really interesting. Slaggert walks onto “Landman” right as the show needs a pulse-quickening jolt. He plays Ryder Sampson — the local high school quarterback with a classic Texas-sized dream: making it big in the NFL. But this is “Landman,” so oil and ambition mix freely, and things are never quite so simple.
Ryder isn’t just a jock with a throwing arm. He falls — hard — for Ainsley Norris, the preacher’s daughter played by Michelle Randolph. Their budding relationship brings fireworks, tension, and a surprising amount of heart to the story. News flash: Oilfields may spit dust, but this show’s young love storyline brings a real glimmer to all that grit.
Slaggert’s arrival as Ryder didn’t happen in episode one — he bursts onto the scene in episode seven. That’s gutsy, stepping into the spotlight mid-season. But he makes it work. Their chemistry feels genuine, and the Sampson-Norris romance is the talk of “Landman” fandom in 2025. Just check TikTok or Twitter — the hashtag #RyderAndAinsley shows up everywhere.
Key facts:
- Joins “Landman” as Ryder Sampson, star quarterback
- First appears in episode 7, mid-season one
- Ryder dreams of NFL, but the world keeps steering him back home
- Sparks fly between Ryder and Ainsley Norris (Michelle Randolph)
- Slaggert’s debut hailed as “show-stealing” by critics and fans (Sportskeeda and People)
Modeling is Tough — But Oilfields Are Just Another Kind of Runway
Let’s pause for a second. You might think high fashion and gulf oilfields share nothing. That’s where Slaggert surprises you. He sees the parallels, and it shows in his work.
Modeling isn’t just pouting for the camera. You need discipline, nerves of steel, and adaptability — you face rejections, abrupt schedule changes, and lots of physical demands. Swap out the flashes for flaring torches and the designer threads for fire-retardant coveralls, and, according to Slaggert, the job’s not so different! “You’re always being watched,” he’s said in interviews. Every step, every gesture counts. Whether you’re strutting Milan or navigating a roughneck crew, poise is everything.
Ryder faces constant pressure — coaches, parents, oil barons, and small-town gossip. Just like the modeling world, nobody cuts you slack. And since Slaggert has lived that rollercoaster, it’s easy to see why Ryder feels so real.
Fans Go Wild: Ryder Sampson Becomes a Breakout Favorite
Since Ryder’s first appearance, social media hardly takes a breath. On Reddit, “Landman’s” weekly episode thread lights up with theories about Ryder’s future. Instagram? Slaggert’s fan accounts multiply, sharing behind-the-scenes wardrobe picks and teasing Ryder & Ainsley moments. The actors themselves, especially Slaggert and Michelle Randolph, share candid photos between takes: dimples, boots, and more than one moment of on-set goofing. Paramount+ slaps Ryder’s face on promo banners for season two, leaning into his rising popularity.
But it’s not just the internet shouting. Critics sit up, too. Entertainment writers at People comment on Slaggert’s effortless leap from modeling to acting, and outlets like SCMP break down Slaggert’s unique path to “Landman.” In a crowded cast, he stands out, and that’s not accident or luck — it’s a combo of raw talent, grit, and good old-fashioned timing.
All About Ryder and Ainsley: Why Their Arc Matters
The show deals in drama: oil, legacy, ambition, betrayal. Ryder and Ainsley bring humanity. They’re not just there for romance. Between tough choices about leaving home or chasing dreams, “Landman” makes their story the emotional anchor. When Ryder faces the NFL scouts — and homegrown expectations — it’s Ainsley who gives him perspective. Their connection feels stripped-down, honest, and sticky, the way only small-town love stories can be.
Even better? The writers refuse to flatten these characters into stereotypes. Ryder, the supposed jock, gets subtlety: ambition and loyalty, brashness and vulnerability. Slaggert, drawing from a world where stakes always feel high, breathes life into every scene.
- Ryder and Ainsley’s growing romance, layered and sometimes messy
- High expectations from family, school, and “Landman’s” oil-soaked community
- Critics highlight how their story deepens the show’s themes
Season Two — and So Much Buzz
Now here’s some 2025 juice: Paramount+ renewed “Landman” for a second season, before the finale even aired. The reason? According to buzz, new fan favorites like Ryder Sampson help drive viewership sky-high. Production sources tease even more screen time for Slaggert, and he lands himself among the show’s breakout stars. It’s validation for someone who has spent the last decade adapting to banana-peel career pivots.
- Season two confirmed, production begins late summer 2025
- Ryder will get more backstory and bigger challenges
One Wild Ride, and It Isn’t Over Yet
Mitchell Slaggert’s path defies category. From a Fayetteville childhood to engineering lectures, then Milan runways, and now Texas drilling rigs — every stop built him up for “Landman.” Maybe it’s weird to connect swimsuit posing and wildcatting oil wells. But seeing Ryder Sampson swagger onscreen, it just clicks. Slaggert knows exactly how to stand out when stakes feel sky-high.
So, the next time someone jokes about models getting dirty, send them a clip of Ryder Sampson behind the wheel, helmet hair and all. If fashion is about reinvention, then Mitchell Slaggert’s oil rig turn is a masterclass.
Don’t blink. With season two on the horizon, more grit, more romance, and more jaw-dropping “did he just do that?” moments are sure to come. And somehow, you know Slaggert won’t miss a beat — boots, biceps, and maybe a little aftershave, just for luck.
