Long before she became the sharp-tongued and independent Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, Kelly Reilly was already proving herself a master of powerful performances. While her rise to fame may seem tied to the success of Taylor Sheridan’s modern Western, Reilly’s earlier work, particularly in period films, revealed her ability to bring depth and strength to various roles. In 2009, she delivered standout performances in three period films, each setting the stage for her eventual breakout on TV.
Despite her undeniable screen presence, Reilly was frequently cast in supporting roles. While she did have more leading roles in films like Eden Lake, it was in period dramas that her ability to fully embrace a character really stood out. The resilience, wit and strength she brought to these earlier performances prove that Reilly’s path to Yellowstone was paved with roles that showed her strengths in ways that only now receive full recognition.
Reilly as a Grieving Wife and Mother in Triage
Set against the backdrop of the 1988 Kurdish conflict, Triage explores the emotional and psychological toll that war takes on those who witness it. The film follows photojournalists Mark (Colin Farrell) and David (Jamie Sives), who are assigned to document the brutal realities of war. After an incident, Mark returns home to his wife Elena (Paz Vega), alone and traumatized. Desperate to understand Mark’s sudden return and erratic behavior, Elena calls on her grandfather, Joaquin (Christopher Lee), a psychoanalyst with military experience, hoping his expertise will help Mark confront the trauma that has shattered him. Reilly plays Diane, David’s grieving and pregnant wife. Though not the film’s central character, Diane’s role as the emotional heart of the story is critical, representing the strains war places on loved ones waiting at home.
Unlike some of the more overtly dramatic roles in her filmography, Diane is more restrained. Her grief and emotional turmoil are never dramatized through spectacles or explosive breakdowns. Instead, Reilly conveys her character’s pain through quiet gestures and moments of stillness – whether it’s the subtle way she cradles her pregnant belly or the weight in her eyes when she hears nothing about her husband’s fate. Reilly’s performance is a testament to the power of silence in storytelling, showing that emotional depth doesn’t always have to be loud.
Diane’s struggle is that of many loved ones of soldiers — caught between hope and despair, unsure of whether the person they love will ever return home. Reilly portrays Diane as a woman trying to hold on to some semblance of normality while faced with an uncertain future. In doing so, she represents the pain and sacrifice endured by those who are left behind, proving that her ability to create empathy is just as powerful in quieter, more understated roles.
Kelly Reilly as Mary Morstan in Sherlock Holmes
Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes was a reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective stories. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as his loyal companion Dr. Watson, the film injected a new level of wit and action into the detective franchise. However, it wasn’t just Holmes and Watson at the center of the drama. Kelly Reilly’s Mary Morstan, Watson’s love interest, added a quiet but important presence to the story.
Mary could have easily been demoted to a supporting role with little depth. Aside from stirring tension between Holmes and Watson, she brings very little to the overall action plot. However, Reilly’s portrayal adds weight to the character, creating a contrast to the intellectual chaos around her. Mary represents the stability that Holmes and Watson’s partnership desperately lacks. While Holmes is undoubtedly brilliant, he’s reckless, and Watson is torn between duty and domestic bliss. Mary offers a touch of normalcy that intrigues Watson and terrifies Holmes.
On the surface, Mary’s warmth and kindness stem from innocence, but it soon becomes clear that she has lived through hardships. Reilly’s portrayal gives Mary fleeting moments of strength, allowing her to stand as a symbol of emotional resilience amidst the chaos of the Sherlock Holmes universe. It’s a role that shows Reilly’s ability to elevate even the quieter parts of a film.
Reilly’s Underrated Role in Me and Orson Welles
Directed by Richard Linklater, Me and Orson Welles is a charming coming-of-age story centered on the 1937 production of Julius Caesar. The film follows young aspiring actor, Richard Samuels (Zac Efron), trying to break into the world of Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, but it is Kelly Reilly’s portrayal of Muriel Brassler, an experienced actress in Welles’ troupe, that subtly steals the spotlight.
While the film’s focus is largely on Richard’s burgeoning career and his interactions with Welles, Reilly’s performance adds importance to the narrative. Muriel is not blinded by ambition like many others in Welles’ orbit but is quietly confident and knows her worth. Though Muriel’s role is not central to the story, Reilly’s ability to imbue her with depth and poise is what elevates the character from a background player to someone of significant importance in the backstage drama.
What makes Reilly’s portrayal all the more impressive is that Muriel Brassler was a real actress part of Welles’ Julius Caesar production. Though much of her personal history is lost to time, Reilly breathes life into this character, ensuring that Muriel’s contribution to Welles’ work is not overlooked. With quiet grace, Reilly brings depth to a character that could have been easily dismissed in a lesser performance.
How Reilly’s Previous Roles Helped Shape Beth Dutton in Yellowstone
In Yellowstone, Kelly Reilly plays the fierce Beth Dutton, daughter of Montana ranch owner John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Beth is unapologetically tough and sharp-tongued, making her one of the most interesting characters on television today. A character whose tough exterior masks her emotional vulnerability, Reilly’s portrayal of Beth is a perfect mix of emotional depth and power, reflecting her complicated relationships with her father, brother and the world around her.
What’s interesting is how Reilly’s earlier roles in period films laid the foundation for her portrayal of Beth. In Sherlock Holmes, Reilly’s quiet Mary Morstan is contrasted by the chaos of Holmes and Watson. This ability to ground her characters in emotion would later serve her in Yellowstone, where Beth’s emotional layers, often concealed by her hard exterior, are revealed through moments of vulnerability. In Me and Orson Welles, Reilly portrayed Muriel Brassler, a confident actress who knows her worth. This portrayal of a woman in a male-dominated world is echoed in Beth’s unapologetic assertiveness and control over her destiny. In Triage, Reilly played Diane, a grieving, pregnant wife whose emotional restraint mirrored the underlying strength of her character — qualities that are unmistakably present in Beth’s fierce, unrelenting spirit.
Through these roles, Reilly mastered the art of portraying strong women facing emotional turmoil, making her a perfect fit for Yellowstone’s ruthless yet vulnerable Beth Dutton. While the settings and periods of these earlier roles may differ, they share a common theme: Reilly’s ability to deliver understated yet powerful performances.
Kelly Reilly’s journey from supporting roles in period dramas to leading one of television’s most interesting characters is a testament to her versatility and skill as an actress. From Muriel Brassler’s self-assured confidence to Diane’s quiet grief, Reilly has long demonstrated an ability to bring depth to every role she takes on. And, while Yellowstone may be the role that solidified her place in pop culture, Reilly’s earlier work deserves just as much recognition. As Yellowstone continues to attract audiences, it’s worth looking back at the performances that led her here. Reminders that Kelly Reilly’s talent has been undeniable from the very start.