Dutton Ranch star Natalie Alyn Lind has made quite an entrance into the Taylor Sheridan Universe. As the fiery Oreana Jackson, Lind is mesmerizing in both bombastic moments (like when she takes a baseball bat to her rodeo ex’s truck or when she is defying her grandmother) and in the tender, more emotional scenes she shares with Carter (Finn Little). In Episode 4 entitled “Start with a Bullet,” Carter and Oreana wake up together in Carter’s bed after sharing their first night together. While Oreana is clearly comfortable with Carter, she does not take his compliments well. “She’s not used to genuine love,” explained Alyn Lind. “It’s one of the first times that you see her vulnerable.”

The new couple’s sweet nothings are interrupted when Carter’s mother, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), discovers them together. “The obvious way to play that scene is to have Beth come in, rip her out of bed and be an angry mama bear,” said Alyn Lind. Instead, Beth controls herself and makes Carter go to school while she drives Oreana home. According to Alyn Lind, that character choice was made by Reilly herself, who is also an executive producer on the series. “Kelly knew that Beth would see herself and Rip in Carter and Oreana,” said Alyn Lind. “There’s a mutual respect between Beth and Oreana, which I really love.”

Alyn Lind is aware that with the role of Oreana on Dutton Ranch she is surrounded by powerful, creative women like Reilly, Annette Bening and series EP/director Christina Alexandra Voros, a rare occurrence. “I’ve never been on a show where people were so passionate about the project that we were doing and so passionate about their characters,” said Alyn Lind. “I think it’s so special that our show embraces the nuances of female relationships. Most television shows do not.”

Alyn Lind stopped by the DECIDER studio to talk about Oreana’s and Carter’s connection, share what it was like to work with Reilly and more.

DECIDER: In Episode 4, Oreana and Carter wake up together, and it’s a really sweet moment. Though, I was really sad for Oreana when she says she doesn’t believe in the compliments that Carter gives her. Why do you think that is?

NATALIE ALYN LIND: Oreana has a hard time accepting love. She’s also tends to self-deprecate. You know, she’s used to being told that she’s pretty. However, the way Carter says these things to her is so special and soft. She can tell that he genuinely means them. She’s not used to genuine love. It’s such a beautiful moment because it’s one of the first times that you see her vulnerable. That was the first time she’s opened up in a very, very long time.

I can’t believe we had to wait four episodes to see Oreana and Beth meet.

I know!


What was it like working with Kelly in those scenes?

Kelly Reilly is just a dream. She is so opposite from her character. She has built this iconic woman who’s so powerful, and she’s been doing it for years. The way that she’s further developing Beth on this show is pretty incredible. What I love most about Kelly is her perception of what female relationships should look like.

The obvious way to play that scene where Beth discovers Oreana and Carter in bed is to have Beth come in, rip her out of bed and be an angry mama bear. However, Kelly knew that Beth would see herself and Rip in Carter and Oreana. Beth can tell that Oreana is similar to her in the way that she’s guarded. Both of these women have put up walls. There’s a mutual respect between them, which I really love. I think it’s so special that our show embraces the nuances of female relationships. Most television shows don’t.

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Like you said, it’s clear that while Oreana sees Carter, Beth also sees Oreana. What can you tease about that dynamic going forward?

What can I tease about that dynamic going forward? I’m trying to figure out how to tease it without saying too much. There is something that happens in this show that changes everything, and it does have to do with Beth’s and Oreana’s relationship. [Laughs] You know what, I’m going to close my mouth now because if I’m the one that spoils something, I’d be devastated.

You just talked about working with Kelly and that reminded me of one of my favorite themes in the Sheridan Universe, which is stewardship. How did these women on set—Kelly, Annette and Christina Alexandra Voros—watch out for you?

They looked out for me every single day. We felt like such a family. I’ve never been on a show where people were so passionate about the project that we were doing and so passionate about their characters. Annette, I’ve been watching her movies since I was little. I’ve watched Kelly for years. Christina is one of the most revolutionary, not just directors, but cinematographers. She does both at the same time! Annette and I would sit down with each other and have discussions about how our two characters connect.

With the Jackson family—unlike the Duttons who people have watched for years—we had to build these backstories that pre-exist the series. We want the Jacksons’ legacy to feel ingrained within the storyline, even though the audiences are just meeting them. We had conversations on conversations about what Oreana was like at five and how her and Beluah’s relationship has changed over the years. I know everything about my character because I was able to do that development work. I feel so lucky to have an opportunity to work with people who are open to and want to have those discussions.

After Dutton Ranch, you’ve got a horror movie coming out! Can you tell me more about Halloween Store?

During the strike, I think all actors were just sitting on their hands thinking like, what do we do? For me, I’m a huge horror fan since I was little. I was watching a horror movie one night and wished I could make one. Then I was like, “oh, I might as well.” I was able to acquire the script and put financing together. Then we went out to Hawaii and shot it.

It’s about kids being trapped in a Halloween store over Halloween night with a serial killer on the loose. I feel such tingly, stomach butterflies when I watch horror movies from the late 90s or early 2000s. They are scary and sexy and exciting, which is what we tried to emulate with Halloween Store.

It also features many, many of my very talented friends. Every single person that was cast in that movie I either know really well or are friends of a friend. We have Simon Rex, Anthony Michael Hall… I could go down the list [laughs]. I’m so proud of this movie and excited for people to see it.