Played by Piper Perabo, Summer Higgins is one of Yellowstone's most dynamic and challenging characters, but where have you seen her before?
Played by the incomparable Piper Perabo, Summer Higgins was one of Yellowstone's most complex and dynamic characters, and the actress has been in several recognizable film and TV projects outside the show. First introduced in Yellowstone season 4, Summer came onto the scene as a fierce environmentalist who would stop at nothing to bring down the industrialized farming in Montana. However, like all characters on the show, there was more to her than met the eye, and she was much more layered than her stereotypical "eco-warrior" exterior. Perabo's performance helped to elevate the character, and she fit right in alongside other established stars like Kevin Costner.
Making her debut in Yellowstone season 4, episode 5, "Under a Blanket of Red", Summer appeared as the leader of the environmental group Free Earth, and she immediately caused a stir in the Dutton family. She returned as part of the Yellowstone season 5 cast after her rollercoaster fourth season saw her arrested for protesting. She was pardoned by John Dutton after he became governor of Montana, and their relationship blossomed again when she served house arrest at Yellowstone Ranch. Summer's arrival into the Dutton family dynamic added further intrigue to the series, showcasing Perabo's range as an actor, which is also evident in her other roles.
Summer Actor Piper Perabo's Biggest Movie Was Coyote Ugly
Long before she played Summer on Yellowstone, Perabo portrayed a much different character in the cult classic 2000 film Coyote Ugly. The story followed an aspiring songwriter named Violet Sanford (Perabo), who moved away from her small town to work in a women-owned bar in New York City that specialized in taunting and tantalizing its male patrons. Despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score, the rom-com was a box office smash when it grossed over $100 million (via Box Office Mojo), and its reputation grew on home video as an early-'00s time capsule.
Perabo's starring role in Coyote Ugly was only her second on-screen appearance ever, and she was perfectly cast as the shy and unsure Violet Sanford. While the film's story was nothing special, Perabo turned heads because she made something out of Violet's character and embodied her arc as a young woman who slowly came out of her shell. Decades later, Perabo would play a much more confident character as Summer on Yellowstone, and her skill as an actress certainly came from cutting her teeth on movies like Coyote Ugly.
Perabo Had The Lead Role In Covert Affairs
After years of success on the big screen, Perabo then made the jump to the small screen, where she landed the starring role in the USA Network series Covert Affairs in 2010. The 2010's hidden gem TV show chronicled the life of Annie Walker (Perabo), a new CIA operative working undercover in the agency's Domestic Protection Division. Like her Yellowstone role as Summer, Perabo found little ways to build upon Annie Walker, and she had a full-fledged arc across the show's five-season run.
Throughout the bulk of her career, Perabo's work hadn't garnered her much attention from major award shows, but in Covert Affairs she snagged a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2011. Unlike Summer, who was known for her headstrong ways and self-assured attitude, Annie Walker began as a timid recruit who found her footing as the show progressed. Perabo's performance was consistent, and she showed clear growth in her character as she slowly became more confident in her missions. It was most likely parts like Annie Walker that landed Piper Perabo her memorable role on Yellowstone.
MORE: Why Kevin Costner Leaving Yellowstone Will Make The Show Better
