British actress Kelly Reilly, famed for her role as Beth Dutton in the hit series Yellowstone, has spoken candidly about the profound emotions she felt returning to her home country to film a gripping new television project.
From Montana Ranch to Welsh Coastline
After spending more than half a decade immersed in the rugged landscapes of Montana for Paramount's western drama, Reilly found herself on the starkly different shores of Wales. Her new series, the Sky thriller Under Salt Marsh, filmed from October 2024 to February 2025 around the Welsh coastline, provided a powerful contrast.
"You're immersed in the place, in the land, and it can't help but have an effect on you," Reilly revealed in an interview with the Radio Times. "You feel the energy of it." The actress portrays Jackie, a teacher and former detective forced to reunite with her ex-partner, played by Rafe Spall, when one of her eight-year-old pupils dies under disturbing circumstances.
A Chilling Case and Personal History
The haunting investigation, set in the fictional town of Morfa Halen and also starring Jonathan Pryce, soon uncovers a cold case from three years earlier that has personal links to Jackie's past. The role demanded intense commitment, including filming a harrowing scene where Reilly's character discovers a young victim's body in icy waters.
Despite the challenging conditions, including chilling temperatures and torrential rainstorms that are pivotal to the plot, the actress was undeterred. She drew on deep-seated personal connections to the location, explaining her emotional response to working in the British mountains.
A Formative Connection to Wales
"I have a real love for north Wales from when I was a kid," Reilly shared. "We used to go there on holidays, and when I was in primary school, I had this wonderful head teacher who took us on a school trip to climb Mount Snowdon."
She described the experience as formative, stating, "You give yourself over to something greater and you feel humbled by nature and in awe of its beauty. The thrill of insignificance." This profound connection to the landscape made filming Under Salt Marsh a particularly resonant journey for the star.
What's Next for the Star?
Audiences can witness this fresh facet of Reilly's acting prowess when Under Salt Marsh premieres on Sky and NOW on Friday, 30th January. This project serves as an intriguing interlude before her eagerly awaited return to the Yellowstone universe.
Reilly is confirmed to reprise her iconic role as the formidable Beth Dutton in the upcoming spin-off, The Dutton Ranch. That series will follow Beth and her husband Rip Wheeler, played by Cole Hauser, as they defend their family's legacy following the death of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner).
