of great qualityWarning: This contains some Yellowstone plot spoilers
Cowboys, deadly revenge plots, and family secrets have kept Yellowstone fans captivated since 2018.
It is one of the most watched shows in America and made creator Taylor Sheridan the king of prime time television.
But last year, Paramount announced that the fifth season, which is set to end next month, would be the last.
Its star, Kelly Reilly, tells me it will be “the end of the Yellowstone world as we know it”.
She says, “Does this mean it’s over for me to play her? Maybe, maybe not.” “We don’t know yet what the honest answer is.”
There have already been two Yellowstone spin-offs, and more are in the works. Reilly, who plays troubled and unstable Beth Dutton, says she would “love” to continue playing her character, but any spin-off would be “a fresh start somewhere”.
It seems there is possibly something in the works, however, Reilly said she “can’t talk about the future because there are a lot of conversations going on”.
of great qualityThe drama of Yellowstone on screen has been mirrored offscreen with the departure of its leading man, Kevin Costner.
They only filmed half of season five because what they say was Contract and scheduling issues,
Sheridan said This was dependent on Costner’s desire to focus on his Horizon film series, which Starr is directing, co-writing, producing, and starring in.
Either way, it leaves British-born Reilly as the star of the show.
The daughter of a police officer and a hospital receptionist, the actress was born and raised in Chessington, Greater London.
Far from the Hollywood Hills.
‘It didn’t happen overnight’
She has previously starred in True Detective, Prime Suspect and Above Suspicion.
But Yellowstone has introduced him to a huge international audience.
I ask how it feels to be a sought-after leading lady.
“Well, I’m 47, it didn’t happen overnight, you know. So it’s not like I’m hurting,” she says, laughing.
“I’ve been a working actor for 30 years. It’s no secret to me that there are so many shows that have had so much success around the world and have a character that has gotten so much attention or appeal.
“But I stay away from it a lot. I don’t spend much time thinking about it. My life is very normal. It’s very important to me that my life is normal. I’m really busy with nothing else but Has changed.
“I don’t get a chance to sleep at home very often, which is annoying because I love home!”
of great qualityMost fans believe that Reilly himself is an American, not that he is actually soft-spoken British.
She tells me that when Yellowstone started, she “didn’t put any pressure on it” because she wanted people to believe in her character.
“People talk to me like Beth is real,” she says. “We all talk about Beth like she’s a real-life person.
“I’m always a little disappointed when people meet me. I go to the local bakery and the lady says, ‘I’d love to have a drink with you.’
“I know what she means – she wants to have drinks with Beth. People want to feel part of that energy… someone who is connected to their primal self.
“And we’ve become so isolated. We’re all on our phones, on social media. It feels like nothing happens if no one takes a picture of it. Beth is the opposite. She’s just so alive.”
To say that Reilly’s character has been put through the wringer would be an understatement.
Beth has survived attempted rape, attempted murder, heartbreak, and betrayal by family members.
She even says: “I’m the rock therapist I smash myself against.”
Reilly describes Beth as a “powerhouse”, telling me that “dressing her up has been a fun adventure”.
“I’m very introverted,” she adds. “I don’t have any dreams of revenge in my life.
“There’s something really exciting about playing her. I feel like I was on an adrenaline rush for four months playing her, and when I’m done with it I feel like I no longer have to go back to my quiet, boring life.” And I’m very grateful for my quiet, boring life after playing her.
“But when every summer comes around and I start getting ready again and the scripts start coming in, I get excited to meet them again.
“I’m well aware of her gifts as a character, but I keep her locked in a locked box for six months of the year.”
of great qualityThe character of Beth quickly became a fan favorite, with articles dedicated to exploring her character’s appearance and thousands of social media posts about her.
One of Beth’s most memorable lines of dialogue, “You are the trailer park, I am the tornado”, is even printed on a T-shirt.
To what has Reilly linked that popularity?
“She’s been very candid about it herself and is unapologetic,” she says. “And as a woman, it’s very refreshing and fun to play.”
The actress believes that Beth has “entered into an ideology, especially among women”.
“I think it’s the unencumbered freedom with which she moves around the world. She’s not afraid to die, she’s not afraid to lose.
“There’s a scene in season two where she’s being attacked by a man who is in the process of raping her and about to kill her and she’s covered in blood.
“She’s not going to fall prey to him. And I think for women and for me, I love that. She’s fierce.”
After experiencing all the trauma her character has experienced, Reilly says she “goes through different stages” to consider what a happy ending would be for Beth.
She says, “I trust Taylor and his attitude towards her. He loves her very much.”
“I would like something potentially cathartic. I would hate to leave her in the woods. But I don’t know that happiness is something any of these characters strive for.
“They try to protect, they try to kill, they try to be killed. They are not looking for a peaceful life.”
Yellowstone season five part two begins Sunday, November 10 on Paramount.
