‘Yellowstone’ star Piper Perabo talks midsummer romance and John is ‘possible’
After her memorable introduction in last week’s episode of the Yellowstone—Not many people leave after becoming a member of Dutton’s rock band — protester Piper Perabo’s Summer Higgins continues to shake things up in “I Want To Be Him,” the sixth episode of the fourth season. After spending a warm night on Yellowstone Ranch with John Dutton (Kevin Costner), Summer is running her own business in the kitchen the next morning when Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) runs into her. In her classic Beth Dutton form, she threatens Summer, who only backs down after Beth swings her knife. Thank goodness John was there to bid them farewell!
After the most uncomfortable breakfast in the world, John brings Summer back to town, but not before he helps free one of his calves, who has gone to the wrong side of the barbed wire fence. As Summer observed John and Rip (Cole Hauser) tenderly returns the calf to its mother, it is clear that her empathy has changed. Although Summer was in Montana to protest against the Breeding Association “protecting industrialized breeding and the mass slaughter of millions of animals,” she could see that John also valued his land and his animals. I am like you. Decider got the chance to speak with the Golden Globe-nominated actress about the real-life inspiration for the role, while working with Kelly Reilly and Summer’s burgeoning relationship with the Duttons.
DECISION PERSON: Your husband, Yellowstone EP/director Stephen Kay, is a frequent collaborator of Taylor Sheridan’s. Did he first approach you with the idea of playing Summer Higgins? Do you want to be a part of Yellowstone?
PIPER PERABO: My husband Stephen Kay and Taylor Sheridan have known each other long before I entered the picture. They met many years ago on Sons of Anarchy and really enjoyed working together, so they ended up becoming friends.
I had dinner with Taylor, Stephen, and Taylor’s wife, Nic, recently after I was arrested for participating in a real-world protest. Taylor asked me to tell him all about the experience. He loves my story and is genuinely interested in civil disobedience and the concept of being arrested for something you care about. I think that’s where Summer Higgins started.
Summer enters the world of Yellowstone with a bang, not a whimper. What is one thing you want Yellowstone Do fans know about Summer Higgins?
Summer is a very different type of character than the others that have come in Yellowstone world. She is open-minded and wants to understand the whole picture. She doesn’t have to have it her way. I think fans will be excited about how Summer’s journey unfolds.
Summer stood up to John, unblinking when Beth threatened her with a knife, and was part of the group that threw rocks at Kayce. Is it safe to say that the Duttons have found a worthy opponent?
That’s high praise [laughs]. To compare with the Duttons is a pretty high level, but I’m proud that Summer will combine it with them. Once you see Kayce jump out of his truck, most people run up the hill. I’m impressed that Summer stands her ground on every level.
Not many people partnered with Beth Dutton and held on to their beliefs, but Summer did. Can you talk about preparing for that scene in the kitchen when Beth confronts Summer at knife point? What would it be like to work with Kelly Reilly?
I have been a fan of the show since the first episode and a fan of Kelly Reilly even before that. I’m excited to do these scenes with her because I think she’s so good. I like what she created from the character of Beth. So many times in Yellowstone, it’s two cowboys going face to face, but seeing two women go face to face is really exciting. If you want to go up against the best, you have to go up against Beth Dutton.
Did you and Kelly rehearse that scene?
Me and Kelly know each other in real life. We’re friends, which I think can really help with such a scene, because there’s a certain level of trust. Neither of us intends to intentionally “stab” the other [laughs]. We had a lot of rehearsals that day at the Dutton house. Kelly knows that space a lot better than I do. It took me a minute to get on my feet, but it was fun.
People often think of activists as unshakable with set ideals, but it’s clear from the scene where John tenderly brings a calf back to the herd that Summer begins to rethink his agenda. me. What’s in store for Summer as the season goes on? Has her interactions with the Duttons changed?
When Summer first meets John, she sees him as a monolith. What she began to understand was that John cared about the land as much as she did. They come from really different worlds. Both are true fighters in their own right to preserve the land. He taught her a lot and broadened her perspective.
Looks like John really shined with Summer, inviting her back to the ranch. Can things turn romantic between the two?
Maybe, but Beth Dutton is never far away. She doesn’t like anyone messing with her family.
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