Kelly Reilly, Yellowstone Star, Reserved on Series’ Future

The series Yellowstone, known for its themes of cowboys, violent revenge narratives, and familial mysteries, has captivated viewers since 2018. It ranks among the most-watched programs in the United States and has established its creator, Taylor Sheridan, as a prominent figure in prime time television. However, Paramount confirmed last year that the fifth season, scheduled to conclude next month, would mark the show’s final installment. Kelly Reilly, a lead actress in the series, stated that the upcoming conclusion signifies “an ending to the Yellowstone world we have known.” Regarding her continued portrayal of the character, she remarked, “Does it mean it’s the end of me playing her? Maybe, maybe not,” adding, “We don’t know yet is the honest answer.” The Yellowstone franchise has already produced two spin-off series, with additional projects reportedly under development. Reilly, who embodies the complex and fiery character Beth Dutton, expressed that she would “love” to continue in the role, but indicated that any spin-off venture “would be a new beginning somewhere.” Reilly’s comments suggest that future developments are potentially in progress, as she stated she “can’t talk about the future because there are so many conversations happening.” The narrative drama of Yellowstone has been paralleled by off-screen events, particularly the exit of its lead actor, Kevin Costner. Costner reportedly filmed only half of season five, citing contract and scheduling conflicts. Conversely, Sheridan attributed Costner’s departure to his desire to concentrate on his Horizon film series, a project in which Costner is involved as director, co-writer, producer, and star. Regardless of the reasons for Costner’s departure, British-born Reilly is now arguably the central figure of the series. The actress, whose parents were a police officer and a hospital receptionist, grew up in Chessington, Greater London, a background distinct from Hollywood’s typical setting. Her previous credits include True Detective, Prime Suspect, and Above Suspicion, but Yellowstone has significantly expanded her international viewership. When asked about her experience as a sought-after leading actress, she responded: “Well, I’m 47 years old, it hasn’t happened overnight, you know. So it’s not like I’m getting whiplash,” she stated with a laugh. “I have been a working actor for 30 years. It’s not lost on me that there’s a unicorn of shows that have such success worldwide and a character that has had this amount of attention or appeal.” She continued, “But I treat it at arm’s length. I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I have a very normal life. It’s very important to me that my life is normal. Nothing has changed, other than I’m really busy.” “I don’t get to sleep at home very often, which is annoying because I love home!” she added. Many viewers mistakenly believe Reilly is American, rather than the softly spoken British woman she is. She explained that at the beginning of Yellowstone, she “didn’t do any press” to encourage audience belief in her character. “People talk to me as if Beth is real,” she observed. “We all talk about Beth like she’s a real-life person.” “I’m always going to be a bit of a let down when people meet me,” Reilly commented. She recounted an instance: “I go into the local bakery and the lady is like, ‘I’d love to drink with you.'” “I know what she means – she wants to drink with Beth,” Reilly clarified. “People want to feel part of that energy… someone so connected with their primal self.” “And we’re so disconnected. We’re all on our phones, on social media. It is like it doesn’t happen if someone doesn’t take a picture of it,” she explained. “Beth is the opposite of that. She is just so alive.” Reilly’s character has undergone immense hardship, surviving attempted rape, attempted murder, profound heartbreak, and familial betrayal. Beth famously declares, “I am the rock therapists break themselves against.” Reilly characterized Beth as a “powerhouse,” stating that it has been “such a fun adventure to put her on.” “I’m very introverted,” she further noted, adding, “I don’t have any dreams of vengeance in my life.” “There’s something really exciting about playing her. I feel like I’m on an adrenaline rush for four months while I play her, and when I’m finished I’m like, I now have to go back to my quiet, boring life. And I’m very grateful for my quiet, boring life after I’ve played her. But by the time every summer comes around where I’m sort of gearing up again and the scripts start coming in, I get excited again to meet her.” “I’m very aware of the gift of her as a character, but I lock her up in a padlocked box for six months of the year,” she concluded. Beth’s character rapidly gained immense popularity among fans, leading to dedicated articles on replicating her style and thousands of social media discussions. One of her most iconic lines, “You are the trailer park, I am the tornado,” has even been featured on T-shirts. When asked about the source of this popularity, Reilly responded, “She’s unequivocally herself and unapologetic about that. And as a woman, it is so refreshing and so much fun to play.” The actress suggested that Beth “has penetrated a zeitgeist in women specifically.” She elaborated, “I think it is that unencumbered kind of freedom that she moves through the world with. She is not afraid of dying, she is not afraid of losing.” Reilly cited a scene from season two where Beth “is being attacked by a man who is in the process of raping her and is about to kill her and she is covered in blood.” “She will not be a victim to him,” Reilly emphasized. “And I think for women and for me, I love that. She is fierce.” Given the extensive trauma Beth’s character has endured, Reilly mentioned that she “goes through different phases” when contemplating a happy resolution for her. “I trust Taylor and his vision for her. He loves her so much,” she affirmed. “I would like something cathartic, potentially. I would hate to leave her out in the wilderness,” Reilly expressed. “But I don’t know if happiness is something any of these characters strive for.” She elaborated on the characters’ motivations: “They strive to protect, they strive to kill, they strive to be killed. These are not looking for peaceful lives.” Yellowstone season five, part two, will be available on Paramount starting Sunday, 10 November. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.