Josh O’Connor Says New Wildfire Drama ‘Rebuilding’ Changed His Life: “Community Is Everything”

Josh O’Connor is reflecting on one of the most impactful roles of his career. The British actor says his new film Rebuilding, an intimate drama set in the aftermath of Colorado’s devastating wildfires, left a lasting mark on him both personally and professionally.

O’Connor stars as Dusty, a divorced father and cowboy whose ranch is destroyed, forcing him into the difficult reality faced by many disaster survivors. The film, directed by Max Walker-Silverman, follows Dusty as he relocates to a FEMA camp and slowly begins rebuilding his life with the help of an unexpected community.

“The Roles You Play Affect You”: O’Connor on the Film’s Emotional Impact

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, the Challengers and The Crown star shared how deeply this character influenced him.

“Very often… you learn stuff from the roles you play. They have an impact on your own life,” he said.

That lesson was especially true with Dusty, whose journey forced O’Connor to confront themes of vulnerability, resilience, and connection.

“That understanding that community is essential… was something I really learned from him.”

A Story Rooted in Real Colorado Experiences

While Rebuilding is fictional, Walker-Silverman drew inspiration from his upbringing in rural Colorado. O’Connor immersed himself fully, spending time with local ranchers and revisiting skills he developed while playing a farmer in God’s Own Country.

The actor later realized he had unintentionally infused Dusty with elements of the director himself.

“It wasn’t on purpose… but when I saw the film I thought, ‘Wait a minute!’” he said with a laugh.

Dusty’s Journey: A Modern “Wizard of Oz” Parallel

O’Connor compares Dusty’s arc to Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz — a character who spends her journey searching for something that was around her all along.

Dusty stands at a similar crossroads, grieving what he has lost while blind to what remains: a daughter (Lily LaTorre), an ex-wife (Meghann Fahy), an ex-mother-in-law (Amy Madigan), and a patchwork community of neighbors, including Kali Reis and Binky Griptite.

“His answer is right there from the beginning. He just needs the space to see it.”

A Stacked Season for O’Connor

Rebuilding, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, arrives during a busy streak for O’Connor. It follows the releases of The History of Sound and The Mastermind, marking a standout year for the Emmy-winning performer.

Up next, he stars opposite Daniel Craig in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, arriving in select theaters Nov. 26 before streaming on Netflix Dec. 12.