Annette Bening is having a banner year on television, delivering two unforgettable performances in two very different series. But while fans might be tempted to draw parallels between her roles in Apple TV+'s Lucky and Paramount+'s Dutton Ranch, the Oscar-nominated actress insists the two women are worlds apart—especially when it comes to their moral compasses.
In Lucky, Bening plays Priscilla Masterson, a mob boss who will stop at nothing to protect her interests. In Dutton Ranch, she steps into the boots of Beulah Jackson, a formidable figure in the Yellowstone universe. Both are powerful, both are dangerous, but according to Bening, that's where the similarities end.
Why Priscilla Is 'Even Worse' Than Beulah
Speaking with Collider, Bening explained that while Beulah may be "a bit off the rails," she possesses something Priscilla lacks: a moral core. "Beulah is trying to do the right thing," Bening said. "Priscilla is trying to do the right thing, but I think she's really sociopathic." That lack of conscience, Bening noted, made Priscilla an incredibly fun character to inhabit.
"There was something extremely enjoyable about playing Priscilla because of that," she admitted. "It's almost like living in a dream where you're doing things you would never do in life. Priscilla makes choices—they're not good choices—but it's entertaining to watch, I hope."
A Complex Dynamic with Timothy Olyphant
One of the highlights of Lucky is the electric chemistry between Bening and Timothy Olyphant, who plays a former associate of Priscilla's. Their scenes together are a masterclass in tension, with Bening describing the relationship as a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
"She's kind of, I think, in love with him," Bening revealed. "But then she's also like, 'You screwed me over, but I kind of admire you for it. But now I'm going to fuck you over for it.'" It's a knife-edge existence for Priscilla, who has spent a lifetime navigating betrayal and power struggles.
Bening praised Olyphant's effortless approach to acting, noting that beneath his laid-back demeanor lies a steely toughness that perfectly complements Priscilla's volatility.
The Complicated Bond with Wayne
Another key relationship in Lucky is Priscilla's fraught connection to Wayne, played by William Fichtner. Their first scene together is a tense standoff, with Wayne's hands around Priscilla's throat. The revelation of their shared history adds layers of complexity to an already volatile dynamic.
"It's everything," Bening said of their connection. "She's vulnerable to him on a financial level, on a survival level, but also on an emotional level. She's still seeking from him the things she can never get." Bening described Priscilla as an abused woman who has become an abuser herself, trapped in a cycle of seeking power she can never fully grasp.
For fans of Bening's work, Lucky offers a chance to see her tackle a truly unhinged character, one who is as fascinating as she is terrifying. And for those who loved her in her other iconic roles, this is a performance not to be missed.
As for whether Priscilla could ever find redemption, Bening is skeptical. "I'm not recommending people behave the way she does," she said. "But it is entertaining to imagine."
Lucky is streaming now on Apple TV+. For more on the series, check out our exclusive sneak peek of the latest episode.
