Kelly Reilly Reveals How She Perfected Beth Dutton’s Montana Accent on The Drew Barrymore Show
Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly opened up about her craft, her character, and her personal journey during a heartfelt interview on The Drew Barrymore Show. Known for her fiery portrayal of Beth Dutton, Reilly offered a rare glimpse behind the scenes, detailing how she engineered Beth’s distinctive Montana accent — and how the role became deeply personal for her.
Finding Beth’s Voice
Reilly, who hails from England, began by crediting her dialect coach Jessica Drake for helping her shape Beth’s authentic yet nuanced tone. “We wanted to avoid clichés,” Reilly explained. “It’s not just about sounding ‘Western.’ It’s about understanding the rhythm and grit of someone who’s lived through hardship, who’s fought for everything she has.”
The actress revealed that Beth’s deep, raspy voice was also born out of her character’s habits — the smoking, the bourbon, the long nights of confrontation and survival. “Beth’s voice comes from the life she’s lived,” Reilly said. “She’s weathered and tough, and that shows in how she speaks.”
She even drew subtle inspiration from Kevin Costner, who deepened his voice to play the patriarch John Dutton. “Kevin’s delivery grounded me,” she said. “It helped me find Beth’s strength — that low, steady rhythm that says, ‘Don’t mess with me.’”
The Emotional Weight Behind Beth Dutton
Reilly spoke candidly about what the character has meant to her personally. Before joining Yellowstone, she endured a period of profound grief. “Beth became a lifeline for me,” she confessed. “She was this fierce, unapologetic force who reminded me of my own resilience.”
The actress said stepping into Beth’s boots allowed her to channel pain into power, transforming personal loss into creative energy. “It’s strange,” she reflected, “but sometimes the hardest characters to play become the ones that heal you.”
Love, Loyalty, and Real-Life Inspiration
The conversation turned tender when Barrymore asked about the show’s central love story between Beth and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). Reilly smiled, revealing that she understands Beth’s loyalty because she’s lived something similar.
“I’ve experienced a love like that,” she said, glancing toward her husband, who was watching from the audience. “We met at a wedding in Texas. I thought he was a cowboy from the South, but he’s actually from Long Island,” she laughed. “We’ve been married twelve years now.”
Reilly shared that her husband’s steady support gave her courage to take on Beth’s demanding role. “He told me, ‘No matter what happens, you’ll always have a home to come back to.’ That gave me the freedom to throw myself into Beth completely.”
The Legacy of Beth Dutton
Calling Beth “a primal woman — invigorating yet exhausting,” Reilly praised Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan for crafting a female character who is both ferocious and vulnerable. “Beth isn’t just a symbol of strength,” she said. “She’s a survivor. And I think audiences respond to that raw honesty.”
Her performance has made Beth one of television’s most unforgettable characters — fierce, flawed, and undeniably human.
A Blend of Craft and Heart
By the end of the interview, Drew Barrymore and the audience were visibly moved by Reilly’s reflections. It was clear that Beth Dutton isn’t just a role — she’s a mirror of Reilly’s own endurance and artistry.
“When I step into Beth’s world, I get to live without fear,” Reilly said. “And that’s a gift.”