“Yellowstone” actress Dawn Olivieri says a quiet period in her career helped her recognize that Hollywood wasn’t giving her the life she had imagined. She eventually left Los Angeles to create a home and animal sanctuary on a ranch in rural Arkansas.
Olivieri, 45, discussed the decision while promoting the second season of “Homestead: The Series.” After years of pursuing acting work, she said, the lack of offers forced her to reconsider what success meant to her.
She had expected a thriving career to bring her happiness, but the reality didn’t match that picture. During a stretch when work was scarce, she began to see how much of her life had been spent waiting for someone else to call and offer her a job.
Olivieri asked herself what she would do if she did become successful and earn a lot of money. Her answer was that she would move to the country and have horses. So, she decided to start building that life rather than wait for Hollywood to make it possible. She began with very little, she said, but felt she was moving closer to who she really wanted to be.
In 2022, she left Los Angeles and purchased 160 acres near Mena, Arkansas. The following year, she established Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue, a nonprofit that takes in and rehabilitates horses and other animals. She has said she currently lives in a camper on the property while developing the ranch and sanctuary.
Leaving Los Angeles brought an unexpected change to her acting career. Olivieri said she became more grounded and believes she became a better actor. Rather than spending her time waiting for the next opportunity, she began working more often.
She described the move as stepping away from mirrors: focusing less on her appearance and public identity, and more on her inner life. She said she would encourage others to consider a similar change, though it may not look the same for everyone.
Her “Homestead: The Series” co-star Charles Esten said the pressure to land a role can sometimes work against actors. In his view, people may respond differently when someone lets go of the desperation surrounding a particular opportunity.
Olivieri agreed that this was essentially what happened to her. She also noted that many performers saw work dry up in recent years amid the pandemic and the 2023 strikes by the actors’ and writers’ unions.
Still, she said she had been prepared to give up the identity of being an actress. If necessary, she would have sold fresh eggs by the roadside to preserve her independence.
“Homestead: The Series” follows people surviving in a fortified community in the Rocky Mountains after a nuclear attack on Los Angeles throws the country into chaos. Olivieri plays Jenna Ross, whose husband, Ian, founded the compound. Esten plays Ian’s estranged brother, Cain.
When Ian is incapacitated and later dies, Jenna is forced to lead the community. She tries to protect its residents while remaining compassionate toward outsiders. Cain, who arrives after Ian is injured, favors a tougher approach to survival and leadership.
The second season, which premiered November 3, centers on the growing disagreement between Jenna and Cain over how to run the compound as supplies become scarce.
Olivieri appeared in the 2024 film “Homestead,” which introduced the story. Esten joined the television series for its first season, which continues after the events of the movie. The cast also includes Kevin Lawson, Emmanuel McCord, Jesse Hutch and Betzaida Landín.
Olivieri and Esten also discussed the growing interest in homesteading, growing food at home and leaving large cities. Olivieri said she believes concerns about the food system, urban life and the role of profit are part of what is pushing people to consider a different way of living. For her, rural life has been a more comfortable fit.
Esten said Olivieri’s version of homesteading feels welcoming and focused on caring for animals and people. That differs from the series’ more fear-driven portrayal of survival, he said.
After moving to Arkansas, Olivieri went on to take roles in projects created by Taylor Sheridan. She played Claire Dutton in “1883,” then appeared as Sarah Atwood in “Yellowstone” from 2022 to 2024. She also has a recurring role as CIA officer Amber Whalen in “Lioness” and recently appeared as a guest on “The Madison.”
Olivieri said Sheridan stands out to her because he follows his own instincts and writes complex characters, particularly women. She believes his ability to portray strong women comes in part from growing up with a strong mother as a close example.
She also described his writing as unusually vivid and poetic. Sheridan has told her that he waits for inspiration and sees himself as a channel for the stories that come to him, she said.
The second season of “Homestead: The Series” is streaming on Angel, with new episodes released on Tuesdays.
