From Star to Storyteller: Hartley Steps Behind the Camera for Dust to Dawn
Justin Hartley is expanding his creative horizons. The This Is Us and Tracker star is stepping into the director’s chair for the very first time with Dust to Dawn, a gritty character-driven drama set in the American Midwest. The independent feature, which Hartley will also co-produce and star in, is already generating interest for its emotional intensity, raw realism, and personal significance to the actor.
Described as a cross between Winter’s Bone and Hell or High Water, Dust to Dawn centers on a former minor league baseball player who returns to his economically depressed hometown after a mysterious 12-year absence. As he reconnects with his estranged teenage daughter and confronts secrets from his past, the story unravels into a complex tale of redemption, legacy, and survival.
Directorial Passion Project with Personal Roots
Hartley has long been vocal about wanting to direct. In interviews during the final seasons of This Is Us, he mentioned feeling inspired by directors like Ken Olin and Dan Fogelman. But it wasn’t until reading a short story by debut screenwriter Lana Cordell—loosely based on her own family history—that the vision truly clicked.
“I read it in one sitting,” Hartley told Vanity Fair. “I saw it all in my head—the dusty roads, the crumbling baseball fields, the emotional tension behind every stare. I knew it was the story I wanted to tell.”
He developed the screenplay with Cordell over the course of two years, reportedly revising several drafts to make the characters more lived-in and the setting feel tangible. The story’s themes of fatherhood, small-town decay, and personal failure resonate strongly with Hartley’s own upbringing in Illinois, lending an authentic voice to his directorial vision.
All-Star Indie Ensemble Joins Cast
Joining Hartley on screen is a powerhouse ensemble including Emmy winner Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Godless) as the town’s hard-nosed sheriff, and rising star Kylie Rogers (Yellowstone) as Hartley’s estranged daughter. Veteran actor Sam Shepard was initially attached to play the protagonist’s father before his passing; the role has now been reimagined for Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons.
Filming will take place on location in Kansas and Oklahoma this fall, using local talent and non-actors in supporting roles to preserve the story’s regional authenticity. “We don’t want it to feel polished,” Hartley explained. “It should feel like a real town with real people—you should be able to smell the coffee in the diner and hear the gravel crunch underfoot.”
A Bold First Step Behind the Lens
While many actors ease into directing by helming TV episodes or short films, Hartley’s leap into a full-length feature is a bold move. Industry insiders say he’s doing it the right way: assembling a seasoned production crew and taking months to prepare visually and emotionally.
He’s been studying cinematography under the mentorship of DP Rachel Morrison (Mudbound, Black Panther) and analyzing the work of filmmakers like Debra Granik, Jeff Nichols, and David Gordon Green for tonal guidance. “I’m not interested in flashy camera moves,” Hartley said. “I want people to forget they’re watching a movie.”
Festival Run and Future Aspirations
Dust to Dawn is expected to premiere at Sundance or SXSW in early 2026. If successful, it could mark the beginning of a new era in Hartley’s career—not just as a leading man but as a respected filmmaker.
Critics and fans alike are curious to see how Hartley’s directorial voice will emerge. Will it carry the emotional weight and understated grit he brought to his most poignant TV roles? Or will it reveal an entirely new creative side?
“Acting taught me how to feel a story,” Hartley concluded. “Directing taught me how to shape it.”
Dust to Dawn begins filming this September, with a release date tentatively set for spring 2026. And if early buzz is any indication, Justin Hartley may soon be known for much more than just his on-screen charm.
