Jill Wagner Trades Hollywood Hustle for a Quiet Life in Tennessee

Actress Jill Wagner has embraced a drastic change of pace, stepping away from the intense hustle of Hollywood to raise her two daughters on a farm in a small Tennessee town of just 800 people. Known for her high-stakes roles in action projects like 'Lioness,' Wagner now spends her days in a community where horse-drawn buggies remain a common sight.

Reflecting on her lifestyle shift, the North Carolina native expressed her deep appreciation for a simpler environment. 'First of all, I love Tennessee… I'm from the South. I'm from North Carolina,' Wagner told Fox News Digital, emphasizing her fondness for the people and the small-town mentality that surrounds her daily life.

The move is part of a deliberate effort by Wagner and her husband to provide their daughters with a grounded childhood. Although she recognizes that her children might eventually feel the pull of major cities just as she did when she left home at 17, she hopes the values of a slower-paced upbringing will stay with them.

'And I'm sure they'll do the same, but I hope what it does is bring them back to the simple-ness of life and what it can be… That's a gift that my husband and I gave them, and they probably don't even know it yet,' Wagner noted regarding her daughters' future perspective.

While enjoying her time away from major metropolitan centers, Wagner continues to balance her family life with her entertainment career. She recently reunited with co-star Cameron Mathison for the holiday adventure film 'A Very Arctic Christmas,' playing a wildlife conservationist named Jane.

Wagner shared that working alongside Mathison on set always guarantees plenty of laughter. She explained that director Robin Dunne frequently had to intervene because the two actors struggled to get through scenes without breaking into laughter.

The holiday project also serves as a family tradition for Wagner, who previously included her daughters as extras when they were younger. She hopes that watching these films together will remain a cherished tradition for her family long into the future.

Back on the farm, Wagner is still working on turning her daughters into true farm girls, noting that while they enjoy running around barefoot outdoors, they are not yet fond of actual farm work. The family ultimately hopes to expand their homestead by adding chickens, goats, and potentially a pony as her schedule permits.