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Dave Annable on the Lionesses’ high stakes and his trip to Yellowstone

Dave Annable on the Lionesses’ high stakes and his trip to Yellowstone

Dave Annable understands well the concept that through some of life’s terrible tragedies come moments of rebirth that create the strongest bonds between family and friends. This theory was confirmed both in his real life and in his Hollywood acting career.

One real-life scenario that tested this theory for Annable occurred on September 11, 2001.

“I’ve been to New York, I’ve been to this city, and I mean … the craziest one,” Annable recalls of 9/11. “I went to volunteer and stayed until 2 or 3 in the morning and then obviously they couldn’t use us because we had nothing to do, no volunteers. I didn’t know anyone in Manhattan I could stay with; none of the phones worked. One girl I met was going to go on our first date that night. So I ended up walking to Fordham (in the Bronx), about 60 or 70 blocks. And we are still friends, she is one of my best friends in the world. This is our special day. It was a crazy crazy thing.”

And then there is the fictional death of Annable as the eldest son and firstborn of Lee, John and Evelyn Dutton on Taylor Sheridanmega popular cowboy drama, Yellowstone. Although the character of Annable, Lee Duttonwas shot and killed during a cattle dispute in the first ever episode by his younger brother Casey’s (Luke Grimes) brother-in-law, his death the precipice of everything to go wrong in the Dutton family. Yellowstone a saga that is getting ready for release the second half of the fifth season on November 10. (He has since appeared in key flashbacks.)

And now, in another drama created by Sheridan, lioness on Paramount+, about a CIA special forces group led by former military specialists (Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman), willing to sacrifice their lives (and others) for their country, Annable plays Dr. Neal McNamara, a pediatric oncology surgeon and husband Joe (Saldaña). In addition to treating critically ill children, Neil’s main job is to support the household and care for his and Jo’s teenage daughters. He also tries to add some normality to Jo’s life after she returns from missions that were probably violent, bloody and psychologically torturous, but still she can’t trust her family to protect and protect her. The second season launched on Sunday.

The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with Annabelle via Zoom while he was in Austin, Texas, to discuss his career spanning just over two decades, how he was first introduced to Sheridan’s universe, and where being Dutton—even dead—can take you.

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So, even though you’re originally from New York, I know you live in Texas now. Let’s talk about how you were introduced to the world of Taylor Sheridan.

I was introduced to Taylor by my wife (Odetta Annable), who is an actress, and he was coaching her at the time. I was on a show called brothers and sisters and I remember doing a scene with her, and after the scene she says, “Have you ever had a coach?” (laughs). And I said, “Ah, of course I should? Why do you want to know?” We met then. And she introduced me to Taylor. I remember when Taylor came up and I read the scene with him and the way he broke the scene down, the way he saw it, the way he explained my character, and it was all in a few minutes, I was like, “Wow ! I thought nothing of it. It’s wild!” Then I knew he was simply incredible. And he has such a view on writing, as well as on the world. As a mentor, I would ask, “What do you think about this?” He’s a really fascinating, very intelligent guy.

And then Yuyellowstone came And I remember I got an audition. It wasn’t from Taylor; we kind of lost touch over the years that I didn’t train with him. And then he passed the audition. And the next day my wife got a call from Taylor and he said—excuse my language—”What the hell did your boyfriend just miss my show?” I said, “Baby, tell him I’m in New York. I’m not a cowboy. I think I was on a horse like once in my life.”

And he said, “Tell him to write his ass down and I’ll check it out later today.” I said, “Okay, okay, we’re going to tape ourselves.” And then I was lucky enough to get it and I’m just #1 in Taylor’s fan club. He personally helped us during our marriage. He knows us both. I mean, he’s the guy.

Why did you switch in the first place Yellowstone?

Fear. Because I didn’t see myself as a cowboy at first. (Lee Dutton) had to be the best driver and I didn’t want to let anyone down on set. I mean, some actors would be like, “Oh, yeah, I ride a horse…” but I try to be very honest about walking past and saying that I’m not that guy.

But that’s what I love about Taylor. When I got it, he called, we’re in the car, and he said, “Hey, do you want to come to Utah and play cowboy?” And I said, “I’m so excited, but Taylor, I’ve only been on a horse once.” He said, “Great, we’ll put you on a horse tomorrow in Burbank.” And we did it like every day! And I think that’s why his shows are (what they are). His cast, he makes us do it!

As with lionessthe QRF (Quick Response Force) team there conducts training and conducts operations with special forces. And for me, he didn’t have any specific orders to go and sit with the surgeon, it was my choice, but I happened to go and find Dr. Russell Ward, who was about an hour away, who is a pediatric oncologist. I got to attend the surgery and walk with him and kind of break his head about what it’s like when you come home from work and you’ve had a rough day (after he lost a patient). Because it’s all stuff we make up in our imaginations, and I feel like the stakes are too high.

Dave Annable as Neil and Zoe Saldana as Joe in lioness premiere of the second season.

Ryan Green/Paramount+

It is clear that you have always been a heartthrob in your roles.

(laughs) From whom? Can I record this?

But what about your relationship with the children you had Society “Red Gang”. (Fox), or what you have as a girl, dad in lioness with Celestina Harris and Hannah Lanier. Did it come naturally to you?

I think it’s just a deep-rooted personality or who you are. I have always loved children. I was always close to the children. And then my older sister had a baby. And when I was in college, I would come home and spend time with my nephew Ryan, I guess I’m just here to, you know, be a father. I love it and it’s hard, it’s all those things. This is not a fairy tale. But nothing is more important to me. And I think that happens when working with children or being a pediatrician, because I don’t care, right? And this is one of those things that cannot be faked. It’s one of those things that I’m really proud of. (Editor’s Note: Annable has two young daughters.)

There’s a scene in the first season where I tell the parents that their 6-year-old has a tumor the size of a soccer ball and she’s not going to make it. And I had a 6-year-old at the time, and it was one of those gut-wrenching things. But as an actor I think it was easier for me to go there because, again, we use our imaginations. And so I think I’m a really good pair with Neil because I think we have a lot of similarities in a lot of the ways we look at things. He is much smarter than me, he is much more patient than me. I’ll tell you my wife would support it. But I think there are things we really see eye to eye on.

Neil and Joe (Saldaña) probably together for 20 years?

Yeah, that’s one of the things we’re working on with Taylor. But if you think back to their first meeting back in college, I guess so.

Given her type of career, it must be difficult to maintain a relationship for so long. What do you think keeps them together? I can see Neil trying to get into the underworld a bit more this season.

I guess they can only maintain this for so long – not being able to talk to their partner about their day or work and when they’re gone and you don’t know where they are. I would pass this on to any spouse who has to deal with this situation because it is based on a real program.

I really think love started it and kept them there, but I can see the cracks. In the first season, I think in the first episode, there was a line where she says, “Are you dating anyone?” And he says: “Just stay alive.” I think it’s interesting that they seem to have made a deal that they can start seeing someone, but it won’t go past a certain point. And I think as the seasons go on, we’re just told, it’s just Joe and Neil, but they’ve probably made sacrifices. He has much more patience than I do. I’d say, “Girl, come on!” (laughs) But this is a beautiful relationship. This is a modern relationship. This is something you can model. I love how they interact with each other. I love how they support each other. And I would be interested to see where this relationship goes and how it goes to take notes.

And isn’t Zoe incredible? She just crushes it. When I watch it and see her, I’m like “Girl!” She is just so much fun to watch.

Celestina Harris as Charlie, Annable as Neil and Hannah Love Lanier as Kate lioness second season

Ryan Green/Paramount+

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing now?

I always wanted to be a host Sports center (ESPN). I’m a big athlete, and it was like that at first. And then I fell in love with Michael J. Fox. I saw him on Family tiesand all the movies were coming out and I said, “This is what I want to do.” And then I did one comedy and they said, “You’re not funny enough, more comedy.” But, yes, it would be something in sports.

You portrayed one of the Duttons, the eldest son of Lee Dutton, who was short-lived in the flagship series. What was it like to be a Dutton and to be on Yellowstone affect your career?

I am truly very grateful. I really didn’t know how much of an impact Lee would have on the launch of the show. Let me say a kind of takeoff for the show: the son is dead, now what, right? And so I felt that even though it was short, it was a very impactful moment in the show in that pilot and then in my life. I’m really, really grateful that I got to go pretend to be a cowboy and do all that. But, you know, once a Dutton, always a Dutton! (laughs) Now I have a little wave when I walk and I don’t try to hide it. i have Yellowstone sticker on my car. My guys came in and were here saying, “Dave, we got it.” I say, “I was Dutton.” And it brought me some great friends. I’m still friends with all of them and it was a really great time. I have a special place for Lee Dutton and Yellowstone.

This is my favorite part of this job, we get to learn a little bit about a lot of different things. And that’s what I consider a real advantage.

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lioness releases two new season episodes every Sunday on Paramount+; the first two episodes are airing.