Kelly Reilly Moves On from Yellowstone Drama with Two Powerful New Projects
After years of fiery standoffs and unforgettable one-liners in Yellowstone, Kelly Reilly is stepping into a bold new chapter — one that trades the Dutton family’s dusty Montana plains for prisons, storms, and psychological mystery. The actress, best known for her powerhouse performance as Beth, now has two major projects in the works: the Sky crime thriller Under Salt Marsh and the feature film Last Meals alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
Kelly Reilly Stars Opposite Samuel L. Jackson in Last Meals
Currently in pre-production, Last Meals promises to be a deeply emotional and morally charged drama. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as Walter, a disgraced former White House chef who now prepares last meals for death row inmates.
While working inside the prison, Walter forms an unlikely bond with Reed (Boyd Holbrook), a prisoner on hunger strike who may be innocent. Together, with the help of Hannah (Reilly), the trio confronts the prison’s corrupt leadership — fighting to restore dignity and hope in a system designed to break people.
Reilly’s character serves as the emotional and ethical compass of the story, blending quiet empathy with unflinching resolve — qualities that made Beth Dutton such a fan favorite.
The film has no official release date yet, but early buzz suggests it could be one of the most socially resonant dramas of Kelly’s career.
A Storm Brews in Under Salt Marsh
On the television side, Reilly headlines Sky’s new series Under Salt Marsh — a haunting Welsh-set crime thriller with a supernatural undercurrent.
Reilly stars as Jackie Ellis, a former detective turned teacher whose life unravels when she discovers the body of one of her young students, eight-year-old Cefin, washed up on the shore. The tragedy reopens old wounds for Jackie, tying back to the unsolved disappearance of her niece three years earlier — a case that destroyed her career and reputation.
When a devastating storm begins brewing off the coast, Jackie is forced to reunite with her former partner, Detective Eric Bull, to uncover what really happened before the truth — and the evidence — are lost forever.
The series, set in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, promises moody visuals, a haunting coastal atmosphere, and the kind of slow-burn tension that made British thrillers like Broadchurch and Mare of Easttown international hits.
Moving Beyond Yellowstone
Reilly’s career pivot follows the dramatic conclusion of Yellowstone’s fifth and final season — a finale clouded by behind-the-scenes tension between creator Taylor Sheridan and lead actor Kevin Costner.
Costner’s abrupt exit, prompted by scheduling conflicts with his Horizon film franchise, forced Sheridan to reshape the series’ ending, killing off Costner’s character, John Dutton.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan clarified that while things became complicated once lawyers got involved, there was no lasting animosity.
“I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone,” Sheridan said. “He took a lot of this on the chin, and I don’t know that anyone deserves it. Horizon seems to be a great priority for him — I just hope it’s worth it.”
Despite the off-screen drama, Reilly has remained diplomatic and focused on her next creative challenges. With Last Meals and Under Salt Marsh, she’s embracing roles that highlight her emotional depth and range — while leaving the chaos of the Duttons firmly in the past.
Kelly Reilly’s Next Act
Between a gritty American prison drama and a windswept British mystery, Kelly Reilly’s post-Yellowstone career proves she’s not slowing down — she’s leveling up.
Both Under Salt Marsh and Last Meals promise rich, character-driven stories that showcase Reilly’s fierce intelligence, quiet vulnerability, and commanding screen presence — the same qualities that made Beth Dutton one of television’s most iconic characters.
With production underway, fans can expect to see Reilly dominate both sides of the Atlantic in 2025.