Yellowstone: Kelly Reilly admits she was "terrified" to play Beth Dutton- here's why

Paramount+'s Yellowstone is one of Taylor Sheridan's most successful projects. The show's casting plays a major role in making the series so popular among the fans.

Kelly Reilly's role as Bethany Dutton is incredible. Her character might be confusing at first; she's successful, ambitious, manipulative, and emotionally a mess. As the series rolls out, we get a glimpse of her tumultuous childhood. She might not be among the most favorite characters, but Kelly Reilly's performance as Beth Dutton in Yellowstone does leave a mark.

It turns out even Reilly wasn't sure of playing such a complex character, and she didn't even audition for it. Sheridan offered her the role straight up after a phone call. Speaking to Town & Country, she revealed,

"I was terrified, because I didn't know how I was going to do it. And it took me a minute to find her."

Christina Voros, Yellowstone's director, appreciated Reilly and further told Town & Country,

"There are certain actors who are always some version of themselves in any role. The relationship between Kelly and Beth is not that. The work Kelly has done to embody this person is profound."

Reilly further told in the interview that even though it was challenging and her character was completely different from her real-life personality, she took it up as a challenge. She said,

"But it’s also incredibly gnarly. I have to hide all of me away to put some of that on. I love her, but I can’t live with her.”

Here's more about it.

How did Kelly Reilly get the role of Beth Dutton in Yellowstone?

In 2017, Yellowstone was not in the cards for Kelly Reilly. The plan was simple. Move to England to lead a slow life. Her plans were set until she got the scripts for Yellowstone. She said to Towns & Country,

"I remember reading it as I was packing up our apartment and thinking, Oh, sh**. It was laying down a bit of a gauntlet. The challenge of it pepped my interest."

Reilly then calledSheridan and, without even auditioning for the role, she was roped in to play Beth Dutton. How? As she passionately spoke about the character, Sheridan was convinced that Reilly as Beth was perfect. Even though she was terrified, she took it as a challenge, she said,

"It's not just about playing strong, capable women. That's the missing point. Male characters can be messy, but they can still be heroic. Full spectrum. And I think there is bravery in embracing the shadow. How can you be an honest person if you don't own some of your darkness?"

How is Beth Dutton different from other female antiheroes?

Kelly Reilly's portrayal of Beth Dutton is not the usual kind of woman television puts on screen. She does not smile to make things easy. She does not soften her thoughts. She walks into the room with a sharp mind and fearlessness that feels completely her own. Reilly plays her with a mix of quiet control and rage. It is rough. It is bold. It is real. It breaks every old idea of how a female character is supposed to behave.

Her past sits behind every choice she makes. Beth grew up on the Dutton ranch. Losing her mother left a space that never healed. She still carries the weight. Her father resented her, and she turned into a rebel.

During this time, Jamie made a terrible choice that changed her life forever. He took Beth to an abortion centre that sterilized women after the operation. She lost something that cannot be replaced. The memory still shapes her anger and silence. It explains the walls she builds. She's not afraid to show her emotions. This is why Beth stands apart. She may be wounded, but not broken. She is strong yet flawed. She is vulnerable but never helpless.

Deadline confirmed that Reilly's set to reprise her role in an upcoming spin-off series alongside Cole Hauser.

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Also read: You can’t deny these 10 Rip and Beth moments from Yellowstone can give you couple goals

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