Dawn Olivieri, Bailey Chase, and Jesse Hutch Talk All Things Apocalypse In Homestead
Adapted from the novel Black Autumn: A Post Apocalyptic Saga by Jason Ross and Jeff Kirkham, Homestead follows a former Green Beret Jeff Eriksson (Bailey Chase) after a nuclear bomb is detonated in Los Angeles, leaving the nation to devolve into unprecedented chaos. Eriksson’s natural instincts kick in and he immediately starts to do what he does best — protecting others. As survivors take refuge inside an elaborate compound, the catastrophic events force them to confront the brutal realities of a rapidly deteriorating America where they must fight to protect themselves and their loved ones from the new world around them. Pop Culture Planet’s Danielle Forte spoke with actors Bailey Chase, Jesse Hutch, and Dawn Olivieri about the new film.
Between Kirkham’s 28 years as a Green Beret and Ross’ 30 years mastering preparedness techniques, the two make for an apocalypse preparedness dream team and wrote a hell of an apocalypse story. Chase and Hutch were tasked with bringing the crucial characters to life. Their roles came with preparedness instruction from none other than writers Ross and Kirkham, so much so that Hutch said, “I’ve learned more from Jason in five minutes than I ever have in my entire life.” Chase added that he’s now prepared for an actual apocalypse, should one ever occur.
Chase is used to playing the gruff guy who is hard around the edges, as some of his previous roles include Deputy Branch Connally in Longmire and Hunter Braddock in Far Haven. But there was something different about Jeff in Homestead. “Jeff’s opening scene, to me, is the most powerful scene in the film for me. It’s all right there,” he said. “With all of his flaws, you get it in the first few minutes where this guy is coming from.” Chase continued to explain that he used to strive for perfection in his performances early on in his career. Now he’s learned to lean into a character's flaws, even his own. Homestead gifted Chase the opportunity to do just that, and to hone in on his skills and expertise. “I do all the work, surrender, and let it happen,” he shared. “I think you get to see that throughout Homestead, and why it’s potentially my favorite performance of my career.”
Hutch comes from a rather different background with a lot of experience in romantic comedies. “It’s a different character, role, and depth. You have to approach every [movie] like it’s one of your kids. That one has a different personality, different vibe, different tone, and I love it. As a performer, I love jumping around,” he explained. “I want to do the rom-com. There’s a great group of people that love those. And then I also want to do the action, the comedy. You hope as a performer you have the opportunity to do that. Homestead has been one of the best trips of my entire career so far.”
The leading force of the film doesn’t end there, as Dawn Olivieri lends her talents to star alongside her on-screen husband Neal McDonough. Olivieri has been a hot commodity for western projects in recent years, thanks to her magnetic screen presence in the popular Paramount series Yellowstone and 1883. To cast her in Homestead seemed like a no-brainer for director Ben Smallbone and Olivieri was on-board from the get-go. “I saw a very early cut, and I was like oh, I love a post-apocalyptic story. It’s like the next The Walking Dead, but faith based.” Olivieri pleaded to producers after seeing the early cut. “I told them this was the life I lead, and I really am similar to this character you’re looking for.” While this all took place before casting even began, there was no doubt Olivieri was the one they were always looking for. Olivieri owns Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue, a 160 acre homestead of her own that she’s devoted for rescuing and helping horses find their way to a new life.
Hutch said his main hope is that Homestead will do so well that he’ll be able to buy a homestead. The film hits theaters on December 20.
