After embodying the role of Beth Dutton for five successful seasons on Yellowstone, Kelly Reilly was eager to continue the journey of her iconic character in the new series, Dutton Ranch. The show follows Beth, along with her husband Rip Wheeler, portrayed by Cole Hauser, and their adopted son Carter, as they embark on a fresh start on a new ranch in Rio Paloma, Texas. This move comes after they lose their home in Montana to a devastating wildfire. Reilly expressed her dedication to maintaining the essence of Beth, emphasizing her commitment to “safeguarding the qualities that define her.” As she guided her character through these new life experiences, Reilly aimed to remain open-minded about Beth’s evolving identity.
Serving as an executive producer alongside Hauser, Reilly emphasized the importance of giving everyone a voice in shaping this new narrative landscape filled with intriguing characters. Among these newcomers is the formidable Beulah Jackson, portrayed by the exceptional Annette Bening. Beulah leads the Jackson family, neighbors to Beth on the adjacent 10 Petal ranch. Beth, known for her sharp wit, describes Beulah as a “Grizzly in Gucci” after their encounters.
“Having Annette and Ed [Harris, who plays the large animal veterinarian Everett McKinney] join us brought a sense of legitimacy,” Reilly recalled, acknowledging that their presence elevated the series. “It was an honor for Cole and me to have such talent on board. It made me even more invested in the stories we were telling.”
Stewardship is a core theme in the expansive Taylor Sheridan Universe, and both Reilly and Hauser hold it in high regard. Bening, new to this environment, appreciated their dedication to sharing Beth and Rip’s world. “Kelly and Cole being executive producers meant a lot to me,” Bening noted. “Having actors with a comprehensive understanding of the story and its narrative depth contributed significantly to Yellowstone‘s success.”
Bening found a strong working synergy with Reilly. As two powerful female figures, Beth and Beulah are savvy businesswomen who fiercely protect what they value, wary yet intrigued by each other. “Between these two women, there’s an abundance of admiration, suspicion, attraction, and jealousy,” Bening remarked, capturing the dynamic complexity of their relationship.
While Beluah is working to maintain her empire, Beth is struggling to build a place where her family can thrive. “What Beluah sees in Beth is something, a drive, that she wishes that she still had,” said Bening. While Beluah feels “competitive” with Beth, she feels “admiration” as well.
Reilly agreed with Bening, on the mutual “admiration and respect” between their characters, noting that these feelings only “grow” throughout the series. “Beth and Beluah begin to need each other more and need what the other one has from a business standpoint too,” teased Bening. “”We get to see them work together, and that’s when we really start to power up,” confirmed Reilly.
The first two episode of Dutton Ranch are now streaming on Paramount+