“Dutton Ranch” is a high-profile “Yellowstone” spinoff, but Annette Bening, a new addition to Taylor Sheridan’s universe, has been stealing every scene she’s been in. Bening plays Beulah Jackson, a larger-than-life Texas businesswoman who owns and operates 10 Petal Ranch along with her family. But this matriarch isn’t afraid to make some tough decisions, and it’s clear she’ll butt heads with our heroes, Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser), as they try to navigate business on her turf.
Bening spoke with Variety about perfecting every aspect of Beulah, from her accent to her wardrobe to the internal drama that makes her such a compelling character.
How did the opportunity to join the “Yellowstone” universe come about?
Well, they called me up and said, “Would you like us to tell you the story and what we’re envisioning?” So I said, “Sure, why not?” I had watched “Yellowstone.” I thought it was pretty smashing. So I knew that it was Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, and they told me the story that they were going to be unfolding as well with Ed Harris. They got me intrigued, and I thought, “Beulah, she’s interesting.” She’s a rancher, but she’s longing for love as she wants to keep everything together, which she is unable to do, which is why the show happens. A lot of things are falling apart and crackling inside of her. There’s an ache and longing inside of her, which I found interesting to explore. So it got me intrigued about the adventure.
