Since 2018, Kelly Reilly has captivated audiences of “Yellowstone” with her fierce portrayal of Beth Dutton, the tough, sharp-tongued daughter of John and Evelyn Dutton. Yet, it’s not just her acting that has fans talking—Beth’s hair has sparked endless conversation and even frustration. Many viewers have speculated whether Reilly’s striking blond tresses are indeed a wig. In a 2022 Reddit thread, fans discussed the “disheveled and cheap” appearance of Beth’s hair, with some attributing it to a hairpiece. One fan remarked, “I felt like her hair looked like a wig in some of the scenes these two episodes.” Another chimed in, saying, “I just started watching the show and I kept wondering why she has such a bad wig? It doesn’t look like a low budget show so it doesn’t make much sense.”
To unravel the mystery of Beth’s hair, Nicki Swift consulted Amber Renee, a makeup artist and wig expert. Renee examined photos of Reilly in character and offered her insights on Beth’s intriguing hairstyle. “There’s something undeniably striking about Beth’s hair,” Renee noted. “It’s voluminous, ruggedly tousled, and styled with a sort of unpolished glamour that suits the wild Montana setting perfectly.” Yet, Renee pointed out signs that suggest it might indeed be a wig. “There’s a certain stiffness and thickness at the crown, and the strands seem to clump together more than you might expect from natural hair, particularly in a relaxed setting,” she observed.
Renee shared more insights into Reilly’s transformation into Beth Dutton.
Kelly Reilly’s ability to fully embody her roles might lead some fans to believe that the blond mane she sports as Beth Dutton is her own. However, evidence suggests otherwise, indicating she likely wears a wig. “In real life, Reilly’s natural hair is noticeably finer, with a softer, sleeker texture,” Renee explained to Nicki Swift. “She has a far more natural, almost ethereal look—less teased, less bombshell, and more English countryside elegance, which aligns with her British roots.” Renee continued, “The texture, thickness, and even the way her natural hair sits against her scalp are markedly different from Beth’s signature mane.” This explanation resonates well with viewers.
Furthermore, if you didn’t know, Reilly’s natural hair tends to have a reddish tint when she’s off-screen. Over the years, she has flaunted a range of fiery shades, from vibrant red to a more understated strawberry blond. While she could have opted to bleach her hair for the role, it’s much simpler to wear a wig. Renee highlighted the importance of Beth Dutton’s hair in conveying her character. “Beth Dutton is a woman with hard edges and deep wounds, and everything about her appearance, including her hair, serves that storytelling,” said Renee. “The hair looks a little too perfectly ‘messy,’ a little too consistently dramatic, suggesting it’s a deliberate costume piece rather than Kelly Reilly’s own unassisted hair,” she added.
Kelly Reilly is a redhead in real life
Mike Marsland/Getty Images
Kelly Reilly expertly transforms into whatever role she’s playing, so we can understand if some fans thought that the blond hair she wears onscreen as Beth Dutton was grown from her scalp. However, all the evidence seems to be pointing towards her rocking a wig. “In real life, Reilly’s [natural] hair is noticeably finer, with a softer, sleeker texture,” Amber Renee told Nicki Swift. “She has a far more natural, almost ethereal look — less teased, less bombshell, and more English countryside elegance, which makes sense considering her British roots.” She continued, “The texture, thickness, and even the way her natural hair sits against her scalp are markedly different from Beth’s signature mane.” Makes sense to us!
Also, in case you didn’t know, Reilly’s hair usually leans toward the redder end of the spectrum when she’s out of character. Over the years, the beloved star has sported a variety of spicy shades, from fire engine red to a more subtle strawberry blond. And while it’s very possible that she made the commitment to bleach her hair, it’d just be much easier to throw on a wig. Plus, as Renee pointed out, Beth Dutton’s hair adds another layer to the character. “Beth Dutton is a woman with hard edges and deep wounds, and everything about her appearance, including her hair, serves that storytelling,” said the MUA and hair and wig expert. “The hair looks a little too perfectly ‘messy,’ a little too consistently dramatic, which hints at it being a deliberate costume piece rather than Kelly Reilly’s own unassisted hair,” she continued.Â
Next up: Is Reilly’s “Yellowstone” accent real?