Dave Annable on Making High-Stakes Sacrifices in ‘Lioness’ and His Ride as a Dutton on ‘Yellowstone’

Dave Annable understands the concept well that through some of life’s horrific tragedies come born-again moments that create the strongest bonds between family and friends. This theory has proven true in both his real life and in his Hollywood acting career.

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

“I was there in New York, I was in the city, and I mean…the craziest,” Annable recalls about 9/11. “I went down to volunteer and ended up staying until 2 or 3 a.m., and then obviously they couldn’t use us because there was nothing for us to do, for any volunteers. I didn’t know anybody in Manhattan who I could stay with; none of the phones were working. This one girl I met, we were going to go on our first date that night. So, I ended up walking up to Fordham [in the Bronx], like 60 or 70 blocks. And we’re still friends to this day, she’s one of my best friends in the world. That’s kind of our special day. It was a crazy crazy thing.”

And then there’s Annable’s fictional death as the eldest son and first-born child, Lee, of John and Evelyn Dutton on Taylor Sheridan‘s mega-popular cowboy drama, Yellowstone. Although Annable’s character, Lee Dutton, is shot dead during a cattle dispute in the first-ever episode by the brother-in-law of his youngest brother, Kayce (Luke Grimes), his death is the precipice of all that will go wrong in the Dutton family’s Yellowstone saga, which is readying to release the second half of its fifth season on Nov. 10. (He has since appeared in key flashbacks.)

And now, in another Sheridan-created drama, Lioness on Paramount+, about a CIA special ops team led by former military specialists (Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman) willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives (and others) for their country, Annable plays Dr. Neal McNamara, a pediatric oncology surgeon and husband to Joe (Saldaña). Beyond treating seriously ill children, Neal’s main job is to hold down the household and take care of his and Joe’s tween and teen girls. He also tries to add some balance of normalcy to Joe’s life after she returns from missions that more than likely have been violent, bloody and psychologically torturous, but yet, she can’t confide in her family for both her and their protection. The second season launched Sunday.

The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with Annable over Zoom while he was in Austin, Texas, to discuss his career spanning a bit over two decades, how he first got introduced to the Sheridan Universe and where being a Dutton — even a deceased one — can get you in life.

***

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

I was introduced to Taylor by my wife [Odette Annable], who’s an actress, and he was coaching her at the time. I was on a show called Brothers & Sisters, and  I remember running a scene with her, and after the scene she goes, “Have you ever had a coach?” (Laughs.) And I was like “Ahh sure, should I? Why do you want you know?” We were dating at the time. And she introduced me to Taylor. I remember Taylor coming over and I was reading the scene with him, and the way he broke down this scene and the way he saw it, the way he was explaining my character, all within minutes, I was like, “Whoa! I didn’t think of any of that. This is wild!” So, I knew back then, he was just incredible. And he has such an eye for writing, but also on the world. As a mentor, I would be like “What’s your take on this?” He’s really a fascinating, very intelligent guy.

And then Yellowstone came around. And I remember, I got the audition. It wasn’t from Taylor; we sort of lost touch in the years that I wasn’t coaching with him. And then, I passed on the audition. And my wife got a call from Taylor the next day, and he’s like — excuse my language — “Why the fuck did your guy just pass on my show?” I was like, “Babe, tell him I’m in New York. I’m not a cowboy. I think I’ve been on a horse like once in my life.”

And he was like, “Tell him to put his ass on tape and I’ll check it out later today.” I was like, “OK, all right, we’re gonna put myself on tape.” And then, I was fortunate enough to get it and I’m just No. 1 in Taylor’s fan club. He has personally helped us in times of our marriage. He knows both of us. I mean, he’s that guy.

Why did you initially pass on Yellowstone?

Fear. Because I didn’t initially see myself as a cowboy. [Lee Dutton] was supposed to be the best rider, and I didn’t want to let anyone down on set. I mean, some actors would be like, “Oh yeah, I ride horses…” but I’m trying to be really honest by passing and saying, “I’m not the guy.”

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

Like with the Lioness, the QRF [Quick Reaction Force] team is out there doing drills and doing things with the special teams. And for me, he didn’t have any special orders for me to go sit with a surgeon, that was sort of my choice, but I happen to go and find Dr. Russell Ward, who was about an hour away, who’s a pediatric oncologist. I got to stand in on a surgery, walk with him and sort of pick his brain about what it’s like when you come home from work and you had a tough day [after he’s lost a patient]. Because that’s all the stuff that we’re making up in our imagination and I feel like the stakes are too high.

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

(Laughs.) From who? Can I write that down?

But what about your rapport with children as you had in Red Band Society (Fox), or that you have as a girl dad in Lioness with Celestina Harris and Hannah Lanier. Was this natural for you?

I think that’s just a deep-seated sort of personality, or who you are. I have always loved kids. I’ve always been around kids. And then my older sister had a kid. And when I was in college and I would come home and hang out with my nephew, Ryan, I think that’s something that I just truly am here for, you know, to be a dad. I love it and it’s hard, it’s all those things. It ain’t no fairy tale. But there’s nothing that is more important to me. And I think that comes across when working with kids or being a pediatric, because I care, right? And that’s one of those things you can’t fake. That’s one of those things that I really take pride in. [Editor’s note: Annable has two young daughters.]

There’s a scene in the first season where I’m telling the parents that their 6-year-old has a tumor the size of a softball and she’s not going to make it. And I had a 6-year-old at the time and that’s one of those things that is gut wrenching. But as an actor I think it was easier for me to go there because, again, we’re using our imagination. And that’s why I think I’m a really good match with Neal because I think we have a lot of similarities in a lot of the ways we look at things. He’s a lot smarter than I am, he’s a lot more patient than I am. I’ll tell you that my wife will back that up. But I think there are certainly things that we’re really eye-to-eye on.

Neal and Joe (Saldaña) have probably been together for about 20 years?

Yeah, that is one of the things we are ironing out with Taylor. But if you think about them first meeting around back in college, I think so.

That must be a challenge to hold the relationship together for so long with her type of career. What do you think is keeping them together? I see in this season Neal is trying to pry a little bit more into the secret world.

My guess is that they can only maintain that for so long — not being able to talk to a partner about their day or about work, and when they’re gone and you don’t know where they are. My hat goes to every spouse who has to deal with this sort of situation, because this is based off of a real program.

I do think it’s love that started it and kept them there, but I see cracks. There was a line in the first season, I think the first episode, where she says, “Are you seeing anybody?” And he says, “Just stay alive.” I think it’s interesting, to me, that they must have made a deal that they can start seeing somebody, just that it doesn’t go past a certain point. And I think as the seasons have gone on, we’re just said: This is just Joe and Neal, but they must have made sacrifices. He has much more patience than I would. I would be like, “Girl, come on!” (Laughs.) But it is a beautiful relationship. It a modern relationship. It is something to model after. I do like the way they talk to each other. I like the support they give each other. And I would be interested to see where that relationship goes and how it goes to take notes.

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

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

I always wanted to host SportsCenter (ESPN). I’m a big sports guy, and originally that was it. And then, I fell in love with Michael J. Fox. I saw him on Family Ties, and all the movies were coming out and I said, “That is what I want to do.” And then I did one comedy, and they said, “You’re not funny enough, no more comedy.” But, yeah, it would be something in sports.

You portrayed one of the Duttons, oldest son Lee Dutton, whose time was short-lived on the flagship series. How did being a Dutton and being on Yellowstone impact your career?

I really am super grateful. I really didn’t know how much of an impact Lee would have on the show’s launch. Let me say the sort of takeoff for the show: the son is dead and now what, right? And so, I felt like, although it was short, it was a very impactful moment in the show in that pilot, and then in my life. I really am so grateful that I got to go pretend to be a cowboy and do all the things. But, you know, once a Dutton, always a Dutton! (Laughs.) Now I got a little moxie when I’m walking around and I’m not trying to hide it. I have a Yellowstone sticker on my car. My boys came down and were here, like, “Dave, we get it.” I’m like, “I was a Dutton.” And it brought me some great friends. I’m still buddies with all of them, and it was a really great time. I have a very special place for Lee Dutton and Yellowstone.

That’s my favorite part about this job, we get to learn a little about a lot of different things. And that is what I find as a real perk.

***

Lioness releases new season two episodes Sundays on Paramount+; the first two episodes are now streaming.