Lioness Star Dave Annable's Acting Debut Was As An Arsonist On An NBC Crime Drama

Dave Annable's Dr. Neal McNamara saves lives for a living in "Lioness," but the actor once played a character who ended a life with fire in "Third Watch." Back in 2002, Annable took on his first professional acting role in Season 4, Episode 7 of the NBC series. Fittingly titled "Firestarter," the episode features Annable as Doug Maple Jr., an arsonist who also happens to be the son of a New York City Fire Department arson investigator.

The narrative begins with a deadly grocery store fire that claims the life of a young mother. Jimmy Doherty (Eddie Cibrian) determines that the fire was started on purpose. The firefighters and police officers on the scene band together to find the culprit, and when another supermarket is set ablaze the following night, they realize that Doug Jr. was present at both incidents and take him into custody.

Speaking with Doug Jr. soon after arresting him, Maurice "Bosco" Boscorelli (Jason Wiles) and the other officers learn that he set the fires to get his dad to pay more attention to him instead of his favored firefighting brothers. Doug Jr.'s pouty confession leads to a tense confrontation with his dad, Doug Sr. (Dennis Creaghan), and a whole lot of self-reflection for both of them.

It may not be among the best crime dramas in TV history, but "Third Watch" was well received by audiences throughout the entirety of its six-season run. Although it was eventually canceled in 2005, it remains a highly respected series about the day-to-day experiences of first responders. The show proved to be a good launching pad for Annable, who went on to establish himself on TV.

From his first major role as Aaron Lewis in "Reunion" to starring as Justin Walker in "Brothers & Sisters," Annable has tackled an array of different characters across a variety of genres. Time will tell whether or not he gets to continue his "Lioness" journey, as the Taylor Sheridan show has yet to be renewed for a fourth season. Whatever its fate may be, "Lioness" has been a memorable experience for Annable.

"Working on a Taylor show is incredible," Annable, who also played Lee Dutton in Sheridan's "Yellowstone," told V13 Media. "My bread and butter has been doing television my whole career. And this is just a whole other level. The budgets, cast, and writing are top-notch in their particular fields. And coming together, it feels like this incredible circus to be a part of."