Last updated on: July 26, 2025
Let’s be honest: I didn’t plan to fall down a Kelly Reilly rabbit hole. One day I was watching Yellowstone because everyone kept saying “You have to meet Beth Dutton,” and the next, I was Googling everything Kelly had ever been in.
And wow… I was not prepared.
You know that feeling when an actor is so good, you forget you’re watching fiction? That’s Kelly Reilly. She doesn’t just play characters—she becomes them. And if you’re even a little curious about what makes her performances so magnetic, I’m going to walk you through the top 5 TV shows that showcase just how incredible she is.
By the end of this, I promise you’ll want to binge at least one of them. Maybe all five.
1. Yellowstone (2018–present)
Let’s start with the obvious one. Because Yellowstone didn’t just put Kelly Reilly on the map—it burned that map, poured whiskey on it, and lit it up with a Beth Dutton monologue.
If you haven’t met Beth yet, let me paint the picture:
She’s smart. Savage. Unapologetically bold. Imagine someone who can command a boardroom and a bar fight in the same breath—and win both. That’s Beth. But under all that sharpness? She’s bruised, complicated, and fiercely loyal to her family, even when they don’t deserve it.
Kelly Reilly makes you feel every inch of Beth’s fire and fragility. I remember watching a scene where she’s sitting alone, smoking a cigarette after a devastating loss—and without a single word, she broke my heart. That’s not acting. That’s soul work.
And let’s not forget her electric chemistry with Cole Hauser (Rip). Their love story is the kind that somehow makes you cry and cheer in the same breath.
Stream it on: Paramount+ or Peacock Why it’s #1: Because Beth Dutton might be the most unforgettable TV character of the decade.
2. True Detective (Season 2, 2015)
The Quiet Powerhouse
Okay, hear me out. I know True Detective Season 2 doesn’t get the same love as the first season. But you’re not here for the show—you’re here for Kelly. And she is one of the reasons this season is worth your time.
She plays Jordan Semyon, the wife of Vince Vaughn’s character. But she’s not the kind of wife TV usually gives us. Jordan isn’t in the background. She’s steady, graceful, and smarter than most of the men trying to control everything.
There’s this haunting elegance to how Reilly plays her. She doesn’t raise her voice often. She doesn’t need to. One look from her, and you know everything. Her character has seen things. Survived things. And she’s always five steps ahead.
Stream it on: Max (formerly HBO Max) Why it’s a must-watch: Kelly takes a supporting role and quietly steals every scene.
3. Britannia (2018–2021)
The Warrior Queen You Didn’t Know You Needed
This one is for you if you’re into ancient history with a twist of the weird. Britannia is like Game of Thrones had a dream while on mushrooms—and I mean that in the best way.
Set during the Roman invasion of Britain, Reilly plays Kerra, a Celtic warrior princess caught between tribal politics and mystical forces. Think face paint, blood oaths, and eerie druids whispering in the woods.
Kerra is tough. But not in the sword-swinging, one-liner way. She’s a leader who carries centuries of weight on her shoulders. And Kelly Reilly plays her with this incredible mix of sorrow and strength—like someone who knows she was born to fight, even if she doesn’t want to.
Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video Why it’s unforgettable: Reilly brings depth and emotion to a fantasy role that could’ve easily been one-note.
4. Black Box (2014)
The Battle Inside the Brain
Ever wondered what it feels like to live with bipolar disorder while also being one of the most brilliant minds in neuroscience? That’s the premise of Black Box, and Kelly Reilly absolutely dives in headfirst.
She plays Dr. Catherine Black, a genius who’s constantly teetering on the edge—professionally, personally, mentally. The show explores her inner world with flashbacks, visual metaphors, and raw emotional scenes.
It’s not an easy watch. But it’s real. And that’s what makes it beautiful.
Reilly doesn’t sugarcoat Catherine’s highs or lows. You’ll see her dance barefoot in the street during a manic episode and then isolate herself during the crash. The performance is so vulnerable, you feel like you’re intruding on someone’s real life.
Watch it on: Available for digital purchase (Amazon, Apple TV) Why it’s powerful: Kelly’s portrayal of mental illness is raw, unfiltered, and heartbreakingly human.
5. Agatha Christie’s Poirot – “Sad Cypress” (2003)
Vintage Reilly at Her Finest
You didn’t think we’d skip the classic mystery era, did you?
Before Beth Dutton. Before warrior princesses. There was Elinor Carlisle—a poised young woman accused of murder in Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Sad Cypress. If you love period dramas, British accents, and tightly wound suspense, this one’s for you.
Reilly plays Elinor with a quiet desperation that creeps under your skin. You’re not sure if she’s innocent or guilty—and that’s exactly how she wants you to feel. Every tear, glance, and stammer feels deliberate. Controlled.
I watched this on a rainy Sunday, thinking it would be just another classic Christie episode. But Kelly turned it into something more. She made you question justice, class, and what people are capable of when they feel cornered.
Watch it on: BritBox or Acorn TV Why it’s special: It’s a masterclass in restraint, and proof that Kelly was always meant for greatness.
Bonus Round: Honorable Mentions
Can’t get enough? I feel you. Here are a few other Kelly Reilly appearances that deserve a shoutout:
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Above Suspicion – She plays a detective chasing serial killers through London. Think Luther, but with Kelly leading the charge.
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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling – Her early British work that shows she’s been crushing period pieces since the ’90s.
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Guest spots in UK dramas like Prime Suspect—because every legend has humble beginnings.
What Makes Kelly Reilly Different?
There are a lot of talented actresses. But very few haunt you like Kelly Reilly does.
She doesn’t overact. She doesn’t need to. Her power lies in the small things—a sigh, a look, a trembling voice at just the right moment. And whether she’s yelling across a ranch or whispering in a courtroom, she always feels real.
She plays survivors. Fighters. Women who’ve been through it and still find a way to hold their ground. That’s what sticks with me.
Final Take:
Here’s the truth: You don’t just watch Kelly Reilly. You experience her.
She makes you feel something. Whether it’s admiration, anger, awe, or empathy—she reaches into the screen and pulls you into the moment. That’s why these five shows aren’t just “top picks.” They’re milestones in a career that continues to surprise and inspire.
Check: Kelly Reilly Best Movies
