Dave Annable understands well the concept that through some of life's horrible tragedies come moments of rebirth that create the strongest bonds between family and friends. This theory proved true in both his real life and his acting career in Hollywood.
A real-life scenario that tested this theory for Annable occurred on September 11, 2001.
“I was there in New York, I was in the city, and I mean… the craziest,” Annable recalls of 9/11. “I went to volunteer and ended up staying until 2 or 3 in the morning, and then obviously they couldn't use us because there was nothing for us to do, for any volunteers. I didn't know anyone in Manhattan I could hang with; none of the phones worked. This girl I met, we were going on our first date that night. So, I ended up walking to Fordham [in the Bronx]like 60 or 70 blocks. And we are still friends to this day, she is one of my best friends in the world. It's kind of our special day. It was crazy.”
And then there's Annable's fictional death as John and Evelyn Dutton's eldest and first-born son, Lee, in Taylor Sheridan's wildly popular cowboy drama, Yellowstone. Although Annable's character, Lee Dutton, is shot dead during a cattle dispute in the first ever episode by her younger brother Kayce's (Luke Grimes) brother-in-law, his death is the precipice of everything to come. wrong in the world. Of the Dutton family Yellowstone saga, which is preparing to 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 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 Joe's husband. (Saldaña). In addition to caring for seriously ill children, Neal's main job is to keep tabs on the family and take care of his and Joe's teenage and teenage girls. She also tries to add some balance to normalcy in Joe's life after his return from missions that were most likely violent, bloody, and psychologically torturous, but yet she cannot trust her family to both protect her and them . The second season launched on Sunday.
The Hollywood journalist recently caught up with Annable over Zoom while in Austin, Texas, to discuss his career spanning just over two decades, how he was first introduced to the Sheridan universe, and where to be a Dutton, even if deceased, it can bring you life.
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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 entered the world of Taylor Sheridan.
I was introduced to Taylor by my wife [Odette Annable]who is an actress, and was training 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?” (He laughs). And I was like, “Ahh, of course, should I?” Why do you want to know?” We were dating at the time. And he introduced me to Taylor. I remember Taylor coming to me and I was reading the scene with him, and the way he analyzed this scene and the way he saw it, the way in which he explained my character, all in a few minutes, I thought, “Whoa! I didn't think about any of that. So, I knew he was just incredible to the world as well. As a mentor, I would say, “What's your opinion on this?” He's a really charming and very intelligent guy.
And then Yyellow stone came around. And I remember I got the audition. It wasn't Taylor's; we lost contact in the years I didn't train with him. And then I turned down the audition. And my wife got a call from Taylor the next day, and he said – pardon my language – “Why the fuck did your boyfriend ignore my schedule?” I thought, “Honey, tell him I'm in New York. I'm not a cowboy. I think I've been on a horse at least once in my life.”
And he told me, “Tell him to record his ass and I'll check later today.” I thought, “OK, fine, we'll sign up.” And then, I was lucky enough to get it and I'm number 1 in the Taylor fan club. He helped us personally during the moments of our wedding. He knows us both. I mean, he's that guy.
Why did you initially die? Yellowstone?
Fear. Because initially I didn't see myself as a cowboy. [Lee Dutton] he had to be the best driver and I didn't want to disappoint anyone on set. I mean, some actors would say, “Oh yeah, I ride horses…” but I'm trying to be really honest by going through and saying I'm not the right guy.
But that's what I love about Taylor. When I got it, he called, we were in the car, and he said, “Hey, do you want to come to Utah and play a cowboy?” And I was like, “I'm so excited, but Taylor, I've only been on a horse once.” He said, “Great, we'll put you on a horse in Burbank tomorrow.” And we did it like every day! And I think that's what his shows are about [what they are]. Its cast, makes us do the thing!
As with the Lionessthe QRF (Quick Reaction Force) team is out there doing drills and doing special teams stuff. And as far as I'm concerned, he had no special orders for me to go to the surgeon, it was my choice, but I happened to go see Dr. Russell Ward, who was about an hour away, who is a pediatric oncologist . I have to watch surgery, walk with him and kind of ask him what it's like when you come home from work and you've had a hard day [after he’s lost a patient]. Because it's all we're making up in our imaginations and I feel like the stakes are too high.
Dave Annable as Neal and Zoe Saldana as Joe in Lioness Season 2 premiere.
Ryan Green/Paramount+
It's clear that you've always been a heartthrob in your roles.
(He laughs) By whom? Can I write it?
But what about your relationship with children as you had it? Red Band Society (Fox), or that you have a girl as a dad Lioness with Celestina Harris and Hannah Lanier. Was it natural for you?
I think it's just kind of a deeply ingrained personality, or who you are. I have always loved children. I have always been around children. And then my older sister had a son. 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'm really here for, you know, being a dad. I love it and it's hard, it's all those things. It's not a fairy tale. But there is nothing that is more important to me. And I think that comes across when you're working with kids or being in pediatrics, because I care, right? And that's one of those things you can't fake. This is one of those things 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 daughter 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 this is one of those things that is heartbreaking to me. 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 ways that we look at things. He's a lot smarter than me, he's a lot more patient than me. I'll tell you my wife will confirm this. But I think there are certainly things that we really agree on.
Neal and Joe (Saldaña) they've probably been together for about 20 years?
Yes, that's one of the things we're working out with Taylor. But if you think about their first meeting in college, I think so.
It must be a challenge to keep the relationship together for so long with his type of career. What do you think holds them together? I see Neal is trying to snoop a little more into the secret world this season.
My guess is that they can only maintain it for a certain period: not being able to talk to a partner about their day or work, and when they're gone and you don't know where they are. My hat goes off to every spouse who has to deal with this type of situation, because it's based on a real agenda.
I think love started this and kept them there, but I see cracks. There was a line in the first season, I think in the first episode, where she says, “Are you seeing anyone?” And he says, “Stay alive.” I think it's interesting, to me, that they have to have made an agreement to be able to start seeing someone, only it doesn't go beyond a certain point. And I think as the seasons went on we were just told: This is just Joe and Neal, but they must have made some sacrifices. He's a lot more patient than I would be. I'd say, “Girl, let's go!” (He laughs) But it's a beautiful relationship. It's a modern relationship. It's something to model after. I like the way they talk to each other. I like the way they support each other. And I'd be interested to see where that relationship goes and how note-taking goes.
And isn't Zoe amazing? He's just crushing it. When I look at him and see her, I'm like, “Girl!” It's so fun to watch.
Celestina Harris as Charlie, Annable as Neal 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've always wanted to host Sports Center (ESPN). I'm a great sportsman, and originally it was like that. And then I fell in love with Michael J. Fox. I saw it on Family tiesand all the movies were coming out and I said, “This is what I want to do.” And then I did a comedy and they said, “You're not funny enough, no more comedy.” But yes, it would be something in sports.
You played one of the Duttons, eldest son Lee Dutton, whose time was short-lived on the flagship series. What was it like being a Dutton and being okay? Yellowstone impact your career?
I'm really very grateful. I really didn't know what impact Lee would have on the launch of the show. Let me say the kind of takeoff of the show: the son is dead and now what, right? And so, I felt that even though it was brief, it was a very impactful moment on the show in that pilot, and then in my life. I'm just so grateful that I got to pretend to be a cowboy and do all these things. But you know, once a Dutton, always a Dutton! (He laughs) Now I have a little grit when I walk around and I'm not trying to hide it. I have a Yellowstone sticker on my car. My guys came down and were here saying, “Dave, we got this.” I say, “I was a 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 very special place for Lee Dutton and Yellowstone.
This is my favorite part of this job, we learn a lot of different things. And that's what I find a real benefit.
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Lioness releases second season episodes on Sundays on Paramount+; the first two episodes are now streaming.