The Untold Story: Wes Bentley Speaks Out, Confirming Startling Facts About Kelly Reilly’s On-Set Behavior

While Taylor Sheridan is known to film fans as the writer of films such as “Sicario,” “Hell and High Water,” and “Wind River,” his transition to television in recent years has proven successful. Sheridan, along with John Linson, co-created the Western television series “Yellowstone.”

Now in its fourth season, the show focuses on the dramatic lives of the Dutton family, a group of Montana ranchers. The series stars Kevin Costner, Cole Hauser, Gil Birmingham, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, and Kelly Reilly. Initially pitched to prestige cable channel HBO, the series ultimately ended up on the Paramount Network, where it has garnered many fans who’ve stuck with the show despite recent concerns about its quality.

During the show’s run, members of the “Yellowstone” cast have spoken about working with one another on this intense, modern-day Western series. In November, Looper heard from Reilly about Costner’s behavior on the “Yellowstone” set. At the time, the actress described the veteran actor’s demeanor off-camera as nothing short of delightful. She shared, “He’s honestly one of the nicest, most generous actors I’ve worked with. We get on so well and we have this real fun relationship.”

Now, Reilly is in the hot seat. Bentley recently opened up about the experience of working with her on the show, confirming what we suspected all along about her on-set behavior.

Wes Bentley had nothing but praise for Kelly Reilly

In an interview with CinemaBlend, Wes Bentley was asked if he ever felt intimidated by co-star Kelly Reilly. In response, he said that the antagonistic relationship between his character, Jamie Dutton, and Beth Dutton, played by Reilly, is constructed entirely for the show. After confirming she’s not intimidating, he went on to say that Reilly couldn’t be more different from Beth when the cameras stop rolling. “She is one of the sweetest people and sweetest actors. She has to go so far to get to Beth.”

Bentley continued his response to the question by sharing, “She does an amazing job. It’s great to watch her. She’s very intimidating as Beth, though. I get worked up for these scenes, and then she delivers. But we’re very close; we trust each other. That’s how we get those things done.”

The “Yellowstone” actor added that it was because he and Reilly get along so well off-screen that their on-screen interactions work, saying that a dislike in real life doesn’t necessarily make things better between performers when acting. “It’s hard because if you truly don’t like each other, it almost has the opposite effect. There’s a lack of chemistry, you know? You kind of have to have some connection to really go for the anger.”

Bentley’s insights into his off-camera relationship with Reilly undoubtedly add even more depth to their respective performances as Jamie and Beth. The grown-up Dutton siblings are never the ones who will back down from a verbal sparring match. Knowing that there is a foundation of mutual trust and appreciation between these actors, which helps breathe life into this feisty fictional sibling relationship, makes for a richer, more rewarding viewing experience.

Cole Hauser has nothing but praise for Reilly, too

Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly’s “Yellowstone” co-star and on-screen love interest, was equally as effusive in his praise of Reilly while speaking to CinemaBlend in the same November interview. Hauser has already gone on the record more than once about the romance between his character, Yellowstone Dutton ranch hand Rip Wheeler, and Beth Dutton. In a November interview with Decider, the actor went deep on what fans can expect from the couple in Season 4, teasing this is a “wonderful year of growth” for them as they work through a new set of challenges. Hauser echoed those comments to CinemaBlend, sharing that, in this current season, “there’s an obstacle (or obstacles) that they have to face, and it was wonderful doing it with Kelly.”

To make a love connection as unshakeable as Rip and Beth’s feel believable, you need two actors who have a similarly deep connection in real life (even if it’s platonic). Hauser continued to share with the news outlet that Reilly is “one of my favorite actresses I’ve ever worked with, and working with her on this relationship has just been so much fun.”

While it’s unclear what the future holds for Beth and Rip (or Beth and Jamie, for that matter), what’s clear is that Reilly has a strong bond with her “Yellowstone” co-stars. Of course, we’d suspect nothing less than a deep bond now that she and the rest of the cast are four seasons deep on this Western drama.

Season 4 of “Yellowstone” is currently airing on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET on the Paramount Network.