Wes Bentley Says His ‘Yellowstone’ Character Was Already a Lost Soul — What Is He Now Without His Father?

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As a seasoned actor who has played Jamie Dutton for several years, I can confidently say that my life on the Yellowstone set has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the rugged Montana landscapes to the intense drama unfolding around me, it’s a far cry from the London flat I once called home.

[This story contains spoilers from the second episode of season 5B of Yellowstone.]

the confrontation between Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), who have been at odds with each other. Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, didn’t delay in delivering this highly anticipated scene.

In the second episode’s present-day sequence, Yellowstone viewers discovered that Jamie, Montana’s Attorney General, was confronted by his sister in his office. Beth, intuitive as ever, suspected Jamie of their father’s demise and needed to see him face-to-face to gather evidence. However, when Jamie avoided her gaze, Beth lashed out, slapping him repeatedly. Eventually, Beth stormed out, having obtained the evidence she required – this evidence implicated Jamie’s girlfriend Sarah (Dawn Olivieri), who had been arranging John’s assassination with Jamie’s knowledge. Later, Beth reached out to their brother Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) to disclose a shocking truth that he found hard to accept: Their sibling was the perpetrator of their father’s homicide.

Jamie’s situation is risky because he’s erratic, and he’s erratic due to a significant, impulsive decision he’s made recently,” Bentley explains to The Hollywood Reporter about his character. In our conversation prior to the airing of season 5B, Bentley discusses returning to Jamie’s mindset following the production hiatus, anticipates what Jamie might become once freed from his father’s grasp, and shares his thoughts on whether he would wish to stay involved if Yellowstone were to continue into a potential sixth season.

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During the gap between season 5A and 5B, I shared with you my thoughts on how challenging it was for me to play Jamie Dutton, as the role seemed to linger even off-screen. When it came time to resume filming after such a lengthy hiatus, what steps did you take to slip back into character?

After initially reading the script, there was a period before I delved back in, and during this gap, I hadn’t extensively watched the series, apart from season one. Since we were shooting while it aired, I didn’t have the opportunity to keep up with the show. Interestingly, not watching the show turned out to be beneficial for me as it allowed me to approach the character in a unique way that might have been different if I was observing it. However, during this break, I decided to revisit the series again to get back into character. As a result, I started watching some scenes, but I haven’t fully caught up yet; I’m still waiting for that.

Did you go back and watch your midseason finale fight with your sister, played by Kelly Reilly?

Absolutely! I’ve already seen both of those. In fact, I caught a few new moments I hadn’t witnessed before.

We don’t know what’s going to happen between Jamie and Beth this season. But it seems fair to say that these six episodes will be the most intense hours of Yellowstone ever. How Method did you go when filming, how Jamie were you on set?

(Laughs) You might recall we discussed this earlier, but I’m not a Method actor who immerses myself completely in the character all the time. However, playing this role for seven years made it feel like it was part of my own life. It seemed as though the Method was taking over without me even intending it! Yes, the transition was swift. As soon as I returned to the role, it was omnipresent. For me, it’s primarily Jamie’s self-hatred and emptiness, his superficiality. He’s lost and has no sense of identity at all. It’s challenging to keep that emotional state separate from my own and determine when I’m feeling it and when he is. So yes, that aspect returned, undoubtedly.

What can you tease about how you and Kelly will square off this season?

I’d rather not reveal too much to avoid spoiling the experience for others, as I’m quite perceptive when it comes to subtle hints. However, let me tell you this: The upcoming events are more gripping and intense than ever before. The tension is palpable; there’s no letting up on the conflict. We find ourselves right back in that precarious situation we left them in last time. Jamie finds himself in a perilous position because he’s taken a significant risk, one that could very well mean the end for him if things don’t go according to plan. The creator, Taylor Sheridan, has certainly raised the bar with this installment.

In our previous conversation following the midseason finale, your prediction about not all of the Duttons surviving proved to be accurate. This was prior to learning that Kevin Costner was leaving the series, so it’s possible that more family members may still face peril. The upcoming Dutton family civil war will undoubtedly be reshaped without John. I’m eagerly anticipating what Jamie will look like as he navigates these challenges independently of John.

The things I’m about to say, I want to be clear, won’t tip off anything, but for John’s relationship with Jamie, it’s a more important relationship than with Beth. Beth’s anger with Jamie is something that Jamie did to her. Jamie moved on in life from that because he could, and he’s a jerk and didn’t look back on it until later in life. His focus was always at John, and Beth keeps popping up in the way to start fights and resolve her things. So for Jamie, everything he’s doing in life… John is the one who told him who to be. And when Jamie became that, John demanded so much more out of him and was never satisfied with him. So if John’s gone, and Jamie is already a lost soul, what is he going to be then? Who is he aiming at? What’s his fight about? What are his real feelings? So, not to say what’s coming, but if you don’t have John for Jamie, it’s interesting to find out: What is that to him? So maybe we’ll see that.

As a performer, I’ve noticed that you’ve had some intense scenes with both Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly. Can you describe the atmosphere on set when Kevin wasn’t present?

To be honest, I’ve had limited interactions with him or other main cast members for multiple seasons now, starting from season four in 2020. My storylines and sets are usually separate, so I seldom cross paths with them. (Laughs) So, I’ve grown accustomed to working independently from the entire cast.

Christina Voros, your director, shared details about the high-security measures akin to Marvel, designed to prevent spoilers. She mentioned that the main Duttons are aware of how it all concludes, and she described the ending as something that will leave viewers yearning for more, yet is also “beautiful, captivating, and unanticipated.” What were your thoughts upon reading the ending?

I found the impact of these stories and shows profound during every season I encountered them. They’re quite intense, as you might expect from such dramatic pieces, but it’s that intensity that makes them so compelling. This season, in particular, has been incredibly emotional and energizing, with danger that feels immediate and tangible. As a result, I was extremely pleased with the direction the story took. It was a rewarding feeling to know where we were heading. However, it’s also bittersweet because I’ve grown attached to the narrative, and this stage of the story marks a significant change.

In our previous conversation, you mentioned the possibility of Jamie retiring, but discussions about more Yellowstone episodes have arisen. If these transpire, it seems there’s a larger Yellowstone universe where you might reappear. Are you eager to carry on in this world, or are you considering something new for your next project?

Absolutely, I’d welcome the opportunity to continue with both roles. They pose a challenge but I’m up for it if asked. Working with Taylor has been a delight, so I’d leap at any chance in his creative realm. At the same time, as an actor, I had envisioned my career as film-based, and six weeks was my initial commitment. However, I’m eager to progress and explore new opportunities. I aspire to keep acting for as long as I can, should fortune favor me.

In a post-election period when the nation is divided, the popular show “Yellowstone” is coming back on air. Contrary to initial perceptions, the series was not just for “red states,” as stated by Taylor Sheridan; rather, it resonates with everyone. Its triumph has ignited a renewed interest in Western themes. Are we likely to see more shows like Yellowstone that strike a chord with both rural and urban America?

It seems quite likely that the show’s popularity will continue, primarily because it’s already proven to be a massive success, rather than being a reflection of current cultural trends. In Hollywood, success often breeds more of the same – if a show is a hit, they’re quick to produce similar content. That’s why we hear laughter when someone says “Yellowstone” has been a big surprise. The show has managed to evade being labeled as just a red-state program, which I find refreshing. It subtly touches upon universal themes while avoiding much of the current discourse, thus offering an escape for viewers. So, in a sense, while it reflects our society, it also offers a slight detachment, making it easier for us to immerse ourselves in its world and enjoy it together.

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In the upcoming weeks, episodes from season 5B of “Yellowstone” will air every Sunday at 8 p.m., exclusively on Paramount Network. Later in the evening, at 10 p.m., catch a repeat broadcast on CBS. To watch online and access interviews with cast members like Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, and director Christina Voros, check out this link for streaming options and read up on the premieres in articles by THR.

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2024-11-18 05:25