Ally Walker Talks Longmire Season 4, Colony and More [Exclusive] 

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Season 4 of Longmire

I’m a long time fan of Longmire, so I was so thankful (and, of course, really excited) to hear that Netflix picked the show up after A&E cancelled it. And, yes, I’m one of those people who had to marathon it immediately. Who needs sleep? Apparently, not me.

I’m happy to report that Season 4 has been my favorite of the series so far. Most of that credit goes to all the talent in front of and behind the camera. The ensemble cast has always been great and this season introduced us to Ally Walker‘s Dr. Donna Monahan. I’ve followed her career since her soap days, so I was very excited to hear Ally would be on the show this season. When I talked to her earlier this week discussed favorite moments, what might be in store if (or more like when) the show gets picked up for Season 5, her upcoming movie and more.

TV GOODNESS: When did the producers approach you about this role and what did they tell you about your character?

Ally Walker: “They approached me a month or so before I shot it and they sent me the scripts of the first couple they had me in. They didn’t really say much, but when I saw the second one, I [felt] like there was gonna be more to it.

It was very comedic. There was great banter, which I love, so I was thrilled to do it. I think it’s a great show and I know Mike Robin and Greer Shepherd. I got to meet everyone there, but I’ve known them for a really long time. Their taste is my taste, so I knew it was gonna be good.”

TV GOODNESS: Episode 5 (“Help Wanted”) is one of my favorite episodes this season, in part, because I love the way Dr. Donna Monahan is introduced and that she doesn’t really hit it off with Walt right away. Can you talk about that scene?

Ally: “It was a study in contrasts between these characters and that was implied in the writing. I have a very difference cadence than he does. She’s very quick, ‘Bada bing, bada bang. What have you got next ‘cause I gotta go.’ To be accused of being a drug dealer was ludicrous, so she was like, ‘Move on, move on. Get away from me.’

I found it really wonderful, though. I love the banter, so I just try to construct a character that really has no interest whatsoever in anyone, just basically her work. So, she’s on that road [in Episode 7, “Highway Robbery”] and she really opens up and listens. Then you get to see how she feels, who she really is and I thought it was really lovely.”

TV GOODNESS: Let’s talk about that a little bit. I love that when Walt asks Donna out it’s so deliciously painful, but later when they’re on that highway and talking it seems like they’re connecting. It seems like that’s when she changes her mind about him.

Ally: “Yeah, I think that’s right. When he asked her out– look, she’s not from there. She realizes that he bottles up his emotions. He’s a very masculine male and she has no interest in doing therapy on her private time. But when he comes clean in that lovely scene on the highway, I think you see the humanity in him kick-start hers like, ‘Oh. I can do this and I can be there.’ It’s really sweet because it’s unapologetically strong but vulnerable.

I really love Robert [Taylor], love working with Robert. I think Robert is such a fine actor. I didn’t really know his work before Longmire, but it’s just very easy the way we work. It’s easy and nice. I have this fire and he does a lot of inner dialogue, says a lot with his expressions. I think it’s lovely how it comes together – listening and being there for each other. I really like that.”

TV GOODNESS: I love their dynamic and I enjoyed your very brief scene with Katee Sackhoff’s Vic. Is there anyone you didn’t get a chance to work with that you would’ve liked to share screen time with? I know we don’t know anything about Season 5 yet, but assuming it comes back, what would you like to see for your character?

Ally: “I have worked with A Martinez on and off throughout my career, my first job on Santa Barbara and then on Profiler he was my boyfriend. I have to tell you, I think he’s one of the most amazing actors I’ve ever worked with.

I also think that Lou Diamond Phillips is a revelation in this part. And I love the girls. I can’t tell you how much I love the cast. I just think it’s a really fine cast. And even Ferg! I’d like to work with him. But they’re really good actors, really solid seasoned actors.

When you have that kind of group around you, you get to play. A lot of the time you don’t get that. So with this group of people, it’s fun and it’s nice. They’ve all been around.

Honestly, I really love A and Lou Diamond Phillips, I’d really love to work with. And I really like Katee. It’d be fun to get into a sparring match with her. I would’ve loved to work with Bailey [Chase], but he did my movie Sex, Death and Bowling which is coming out this fall. He’s amazing.”

TV GOODNESS: I want to ask you more about your movie, but I’ll ask you one more question about Longmire first. Did you have a favorite moment or scene from Season 4?

Ally: “I think the one on the highway’s pretty darn good. For me, it’s been a long time since I’ve done comedy written as comedy, so that scene where he comes to see me and asks me out and the [highway scene], those two scenes were really, really fun. Those are the two scenes that I really looked forward to doing. I get to be comedic again, kind of like Carole Lombard and Clarke Gable or Gary Cooper.

I think there’s a very soulful aspect to the relationship that Walt has with [Henry]. There’s a scene with them [in Season 3] that’s just beautiful, where Walt stops the truck as it takes Henry away. That really, really moved me. There’s a lot. I think the scene [with Hector] where he dies. I love that character.

I’m from New Mexico. I know those places. It’s so beautiful. I love that they’re talking about the Native Americans. It’s beautiful, it’s soulful. I love that aspect. I think it’s gorgeous, I think it’s the soul of the piece really.”

TV GOODNESS: Let’s talk a little bit more about your other projects. Tell me more about Sex, Death and Bowling.

Ally: “Sex, Death and Bowling is a movie that I wrote and directed. I shot it in October 2013 and then I was working and my mom got ill, so it took me a long time to get to the editing and post-production process. I got distribution this summer and it’s coming out in theaters in LA in late October/November. It’s on Sundance Channel in France so far and a few other territories.

It was a really great experience and I really hope people like it. I worked with Tom Ford in Santa Fe for a few years. I love Tom Ford. Adrian Grenier plays this fashion designer coming home after a very long time to see his brother who’s ill. He has the son, the son is 11 and he wants to win a bowling tournament and there’s all these family dynamics.

The acting is exquisite. Selma Blair, Bailey Chase, Drea de Matteo, Adrian Grenier, Josh Rush, Daniel Kelly, Melora Walters, it’s just a dream come true cast. It’s about family and death and life. Pete Hammond looked at it and loved it. I’m really excited about it. I don’t think people will look at Adrian Grenier the same way ever again. He really should be in big movies and so should Bailey. Mary Lynn Rajskub is in it. It’s a great little movie. I hope people go see it.

I’m also doing a part on Colony for USA [Network], which is a really cool show. They asked me to do it and I was like, ‘I don’t want to do just one.’ And they said, ‘You’re gonna keep coming,’ so I’m doing those episodes now in LA. It’s fantastic and I love Sarah Wayne Callies and I love Josh Holloway. The character I play in that is sort of Agent June Stahl [from Sons of Anarchy], only not a sociopath, more of an ice-queen, a very powerful woman.

I’m really having fun. I’m having this Renaissance later in life. I took so much time off to be with my kids, but it’s been very fun and very fulfilling.”

All 10 episodes of Season 4 of Longmire are streaming now on Netflix.

Edited for space and content.