Kelly Reilly might play the fierce, no-nonsense Beth Dutton on Yellowstone, but off-screen? She’s nothing like her sharp-tongued alter ego. Co-star Wes Bentley peeled back the curtain, revealing a surprisingly softer side to the actress behind TV’s favorite corporate shark.
While Beth thrives on chaos and cutting remarks, Reilly embraced calm and kindness on set, creating a stark contrast to her on-screen firepower. Turns out, the powerhouse behind Beth’s icy glare’s all heart when the cameras stop rolling.
Behind Beth’s fury: Kelly Reilly’s surprising fight scene fumble
“She almost punched herself.” Yep, that’s what Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton) had to say about Kelly Reilly’s (Beth Dutton) fight scene mishap while filming Yellowstone.
Pretty hard to imagine, no? The show’s fierce queen of chaos Beth struggling to throw a punch? But according to Bentley, who plays her on-screen brother Jamie, Reilly’s worlds apart from her tough-as-nails character.
Turns out, the intense sibling showdowns on Yellowstone were Reilly’s first brush with on-screen combat. Surprisingly, the actress was more worried about accidentally hitting him than channeling Beth’s fury. Bentley shared,
Our very first fight scene, I think, was Kelly’s first fight scene in her whole career. She was very concerned about things going wrong and her accidentally hitting me…
It’s fun to think that Beth, of all people, was nervous and hesitant—especially since her character’s the polar opposite of it. Bentley recalled with a laugh:
To the point where during rehearsals, she was swinging so far away from me and so close to her that she almost punched herself… She came in and swung right across her own face.
A timid Beth? Who knew?
Fortunately, Reilly found her groove—and never actually landed a blow on her on-screen brother. Bentley mentioned that she’s an excellent fight partner—and so talented that he occasionally found himself watching her in awe instead of staying focused on the scene.
Fans tuning in for Yellowstone’s Season 5 midseason premiere were hit with a shocker of their own—Kevin Costner’s John Dutton met an untimely end within minutes.
While Yellowstone fans reel from the loss of its patriarch, Wes Bentley’s playful insight into Kelly Reilly’s softer side offers a lighthearted reprieve. Beth may rule the ranch—but behind the scenes, Kelly Reilly’s a punch-free sweetheart.
Beth’s Future? Kelly Reilly Keeps Fans Guessing
Kelly Reilly admitted she “can’t talk” about what’s next for the show—or her character. With the final episodes of Season 5 airing soon, Reilly teased it will be “an ending to the Yellowstone world we have known,” but left fans guessing whether it’s truly the end for Beth.
Rumors of spin-offs are swirling, and Reilly hinted she’d “love” to reprise her role, calling any continuation “a new beginning somewhere.” However, she stayed tight-lipped about ongoing “conversations” regarding the franchise’s future.
Off-screen drama mirrored the Dutton chaos—with Kevin Costner departing midway through Season 5 due to scheduling conflicts. As the British-born actress takes center stage, she reflects on Beth’s enduring appeal. “She’s unequivocally herself and unapologetic about that,” Reilly shared, crediting Beth’s unfiltered fierceness for her iconic status.
Fans may be bracing for Yellowstone’s end, but Kelly Reilly’s Beth’s far from fading into the wilderness.
Yellowstone is available to watch on Peacock & Apple TV.
