Today’s Mermaids and Cowgirls feature is a fun one, and also a bit unique! Fun, because this woman is one of our absolute favorite cowgirls. She’s bold, fearless, and strong, with a larger-than-life personality and a captivating presence. Unique, because she also happens to be a fictional character. We’re talking about the iconic Beth Dutton from the popular Yellowstone television series, and if you’ve been hanging around Saltsy for a while, you’ve probably heard us mention her – and Yellowstone – a few times before. We’re huge fans of the Paramount Network series, now in its final season, and while we think all the characters are terrific, Beth absolutely steals the show. With her many memorable one-liners, fierce style, and plenty of attitude, she embodies the cowgirl way of life. Plus, she’s just so much fun to watch.
If you haven’t seen Yellowstone yet, you’re missing out, and we highly recommend that you go binge watch the entire series immediately in the lead up to the final episodes this fall. In the meantime, read on to find out why we love Beth Dutton.
Who is Yellowstone Character Beth Dutton?
Beth is the only daughter of Dutton family patriarch John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner), the owner of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. She has three brothers, but of all the Dutton children, Beth is the most powerful and the one who strives to win her father’s affection the most. She lost her mother in a tragic accident at a young age, an event which shaped the rest of her life and contributed to her present-day emotional issues. Beth is fiercely loyal to her family, especially her father and her brother Kayce, while she and her brother Jamie have a complicated past and a more hostile relationship. Throughout the series, we see Beth as mostly fierce, sharp-tongued, and strong, occasionally vulnerable, and always entertaining. She’s one of the most captivating characters to watch, embodying many of the contradictions and complexities of the cowgirl spirit.
And we can’t talk about Beth without mentioning actor Kelly Reilly, who does a stellar job of bringing this fierce and multi-dimensional character to life. Perfectly suited for this role, Reilly commands our attention at every turn and makes Beth Dutton one of the most interesting characters on television right now. Here are a few more reasons why we love this captivating cowgirl.
She’s a Boss
From her very first scene in the show, we learn that Beth can easily hold her own in a male-dominated world and crush her rivals in the boardroom. In her role as a financier, she is cunning and ruthless, protecting her family, their interests, and their land at all costs.
She’s Smart and Witty
No character on the show has as many memorable one-liners as Beth Dutton, and most are delivered with her signature dark humor and cynicism. She’s also quick to take down her enemies with her biting wit and scathing insults. Often brash, foul-mouthed, and opinionated, Dutton keeps us hanging on her every word. Although we never know what she’s going to say next, we know it’s going to be interesting.
She’s Complex
As tough as she is, Beth is not without her moments of vulnerability. We learn early in the first season that she witnessed her mother’s death in a tragic horse-riding accident, and we learn how the guilt and trauma of this event has shaped her life. We also see the love and loyalty she shows to her father, and her brother Kayce. But we see the softening of her otherwise hard exterior most in her relationship with Rip Wheeler, the ranch’s foreman. This relationship gives us brief glimpses of Beth’s capacity for love and tenderness.
She’s Unapologetically Bold
One of the things that we love most about Beth is that she’s never afraid to speak her mind. She’s a rebel who does what she wants and says what she thinks, regardless of what others think of her. Although she can be cutting and downright mean at times, it’s hard not to admire her independence and her refusal to conform to societal expectations.
These are just a few of the reasons why we’re fascinated with this fictional Montana cowgirl, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. But the best way to experience the force that is Beth Dutton is to see her for yourself. If you haven’t started it yet, go check out Yellowstone and see what all the fuss is about!