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

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

“I was in New York, I was in the city, and I mean…it was the craziest,” Annable recalls of 9/11. “I went to volunteer and stayed there until 2 or 3 a.m. Then obviously they couldn’t use us because we had nothing for any volunteers to do. I didn’t know anyone I could stay with in Manhattan; None of the phones were working. We were going on our first date that night with a girl I met. So I walked to Fordham (in the Bronx), which was 60 or 70 blocks away. And we are still friends today, he is one of my best friends in the world. This is kind of our special day. It was a crazy, crazy thing.”

And then there’s Annable’s fictional death as Lee, the eldest son and firstborn child of John and Evelyn Dutton. Taylor Sheridanmega popular cowboy drama, Saritas. Despite Annable’s character, Lee DuttonIn the first episode, his youngest brother, Kayce (Luke Grimes), is shot and killed by his brother-in-law during a cattle dispute. His death marks the beginning of everything that will go wrong in the life of the Dutton family. Saritas epic prepared for publication The second half of its fifth season premieres on November 10.. (He has since appeared in notable comebacks.)

And now, in another drama created by Sheridan, Lioness on Paramount+, former military experts (Zoe Saldaña and Nicole KidmanReady to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives (and those of others) for their country, Annable meets Dr. Dr., a pediatric oncology surgeon and Joe’s (Saldaña) husband. He plays Neal McNamara. Beyond treating seriously ill children, Neal’s main job is to run the household and care for her and Joe’s tween and teenage daughters. He is also trying to add some balance of normalcy to Joe’s life after returning from what are likely violent, bloody, and psychologically torturous missions, but he still cannot trust his family to protect both him and them. second season It was launched on Sunday.

Hollywood Reporter We recently caught up with Annable via Zoom while she was in Austin, Texas, to discuss her two-decade-plus career, how she was first introduced to the Sheridan Universe, and where being a Dutton (even a dead one) can take you. life.

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I know that although you are originally from New York, you currently live in Texas. Let’s talk about how you were introduced to the world of Taylor Sheridan.

I was introduced to Taylor by my wife (Odette Annable), who is an actress and she was coaching him at the time. I was on a show called My Brothers and Sisters, and I remember we were directing a scene with him, and after the scene he said: “Have you ever had a coach?” (laughing). And I said, “Oh, sure, should I do that? Why do you want to know?” We were dating at that time. And he introduced me to Taylor. I remember Taylor coming up to me and reading the scene with her, how she broke it down, how she saw it, how she explained my character, and within a few minutes I was like, “Wow! I didn’t think about any of that. This is so crazy! I knew at the time that she was incredible. And so on.” He has such an eye for writing and for the world. As a mentor, I would say, “What do you think about this?” He’s a really fascinating, very smart guy.

And then Yellowstone came. And I remember, I auditioned. It wasn’t from Taylor; We kind of lost touch in the years I wasn’t coaching him. Then I passed the audition. The next day my wife got a call from Taylor and she said – pardon my language – “Why did your man ignore my show?” So I said, “Baby, tell her I’m in New York. I’m not a cowboy. “I think I rode a horse once again in my life.”

And he said: “Tell her to put her ass on tape and I’ll check it later today.” So I said, “Okay, okay, we’ll put myself on tape.” And then I was lucky enough to get it and I’m just number 1 in Taylor’s fan club. He personally helped us during times of our marriage. He knows both of us. I mean that guy.

Why did you pass in the beginning Saritas?

Fear. Because I didn’t see myself as a cowboy in the beginning. (Lee Dutton) was going to be the best cyclist and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone on set. I mean, some actors are like, “Oh yeah, I ride horses…” But I just walk by and try to be honest, I’m not that 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 cowboy?” he said. And I said, “I’m so excited, but Taylor, I’ve only ridden a horse once.” “Great, we’ll get you riding in Burbank tomorrow,” he said. And we did it like we do every day! And I think that’s why his shows are (what they are). The cast makes us do it!

as with LionessThe QRF (Quick Reaction Force) team is conducting exercises and working there together with special teams. And for me, there was no specific order for me to go to a surgeon, it was my choice, but I went and saw Dr. I find Russell Ward, he was about an hour away and he was a pediatrician. oncologist I got to attend a surgery, walk with him, and pick his brain about what it’s like to come home from work and have a rough day (after losing a patient). Because these are all the things we make up in our imagination and I feel like the risk is very high.

It’s obvious that you’ve always been a heartthrob in your roles.

(laughing) From whom? Can I write this?

What about your relationship with the children, the same as it used to be? Red Band Society (Fox) or a girl you had as a father Lioness With Celestina Harris and Hannah Lanier. Was this natural for you?

I think it’s just an ingrained personality type or who you are. I’ve always loved children. I have always been around children. Then my sister had a child. When I was in college and I was coming home and hanging out with my nephew Ryan, I think it’s something I’m here to be a father to. I love it and it’s hard, that’s all. This is not a fairy tale. But there is nothing more important to me than this. And I think that comes across when I’m working with kids or doing pediatrics because I care, right? And that’s one of those things you can’t fake. This is one of the 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 has a tumor the size of a softball and he’s not going to make it. I had a 6 year old at the time and it was one of those heartbreaking things. But I think it’s easier for me as an actor to get there because, again, we’re using our imagination. That’s why I think Neal and I are a really good match because I think we have a lot of similarities in the way we look at things. He is much smarter than me, much more patient than me. I will tell you that my wife will support this. But I think there are definitely things we see eye to eye on.

Neal and Joe (Saldaña) You’ve probably been together for about 20 years?

Yes, that’s one of the things Taylor and I agree on. But if you consider that they met for the first time in college, I think so.

It must be hard to keep a relationship together for so long with his type of career. What do you think holds them together? This season I see Neal trying to get into the secret world a little more.

My guess is they can only keep this up for so long; not being able to talk to a partner about their day or work, when they’re gone and you don’t know where they are. My hat goes off to any spouse who has to deal with these types of situations because this is based on a real program.

I think it was love that started it and kept them there, but I see cracks. In the first season, I think there was a line in the first episode, it said, “Are you seeing anyone?” And he says, “Stay alive.” I find it interesting that they have made an agreement that they can start seeing someone, just not past a certain point. And I think as the seasons went on, we said: It’s just Joe and Neal, but they must have made sacrifices. He has much more patience than I do. “Girl, come on!” I would say. (laughing) But it’s a beautiful relationship. A modern relationship. Something to model. I like the way they talk to each other. I like the support they give each other. And I’d be interested to see where this relationship goes and how the note-taking goes.

Isn’t Zoe incredible? It just crushes it. When I watched this and saw her I said “Girl!” I’m like. He’s so fun to watch.

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

I’ve always wanted to host Sports Center (ESPN). I’m a big sports guy and that was it in the beginning. And then I fell in love with Michael J. Fox. i saw it Family Tiesand all the movies were coming out and I was like, “This is what I want to do.” Then I did a comedy and they said, “You’re not funny enough, no more comedy.” But yeah, it would be something sports related.

You played the Duttons’ eldest son, Lee Dutton, in the flagship series. What was it like to be Dutton? Saritas Does it affect your career?

I’m really grateful. I really didn’t know how impactful Lee would be in the show’s launch. Let me tell you the starting point of the show: the son is dead and what happens now, right? And so, even though it was short, I felt like it was a very impactful moment in my life in that pilot show and afterwards. I’m really grateful that I can go and act like a cowboy and do anything. But you know, once a Dutton, always a Dutton! (laughing) Now I get a little excited when I walk around and I don’t try to hide it. I have something Saritas sticker on my car. My boys came down and said, “Dave, we got it.” “I was a Dutton,” I said. And it brought me great friends. We’re still friends with all of them and it was a really great time. I have a very special place for Lee Dutton and Saritas.

That’s my favorite part about this job, we get to learn a little bit about so many different things. And I see this as a real advantage.

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Lioness airs two episodes of the new season on Sundays on Paramount+; The first two episodes are out now.