Darker Than Dutton: Annette Bening Unpacks Her 'Lucky' Character's Villainy

Oscar-nominated actress Annette Bening has had a notable presence on television this year, captivating audiences with her roles in both Apple TV+'s crime thriller 'Lucky,' where she portrays the formidable mob boss Priscilla Masterson, and Paramount+'s 'Yellowstone' spin-off 'Dutton Ranch' as Beulah Jackson. Though she filmed her role as Priscilla before Beulah, Bening acknowledges the inherent comparisons between these two powerful female characters, both willing to employ drastic measures against threats. However, Bening identifies a crucial distinction: Beulah Jackson possesses a "moral core" that Priscilla Masterson decidedly lacks, making the antagonist role in 'Lucky' particularly enjoyable to embody.

During an interview with Collider, Bening delved into why she found playing Priscilla so compelling. While Beulah, despite her unconventional methods, strives to do the right thing, Priscilla is characterized by Bening as truly sociopathic. This absence of a moral compass allowed Bening a unique freedom in portraying Priscilla's "bad choices," likening the experience to living a dream where one acts in ways impossible in real life. She hopes viewers find the character's actions both entertaining and satisfying to imagine, offering a glimpse into a mind unconstrained by typical ethical boundaries.

Bening also shed light on Priscilla's intricate relationships within the series. Her dynamic with co-star Timothy Olyphant's character is described as intense "sparring." Priscilla's feelings for him are a complex blend of love and resentment – she's drawn to him yet furious over past betrayals. Bening notes that Priscilla lives on a knife-edge, and while she is profoundly angry, his character remains irresistible. Bening lauded Olyphant's intelligent and effortless approach, noting the steely toughness beneath his surface that mirrored the character's complexity.

The relationship between Priscilla and William Fichtner's Wayne is perhaps the most layered and troubling. Bening describes it as foundational to Priscilla's character, revealing her past as an abused woman. Priscilla remains vulnerable to Wayne on financial, survival, and emotional levels, perpetually seeking something from him she can never attain. Despite her evolution into an abuser herself, she never fully gains the upper hand, even in her later life. The scene where Wayne physically chokes her underscores his literal and figurative hold over her. The stakes are further heightened by her son; while Priscilla loves him and desires his well-being, she is also capable of selling him out if necessary, a dark facet Bening found liberating to explore as an actress.

Finally, Bening discussed Priscilla's interactions with Anya Taylor-Joy's titular character, Lucky. Far from mere antagonism, Priscilla harbors a deep admiration and intrigue for Lucky, respecting her ingenuity and ability to stay one step ahead. Bening admits that Priscilla is even intimidated by Lucky's cleverness and impenetrability, constantly trying to crack her facade to get what she wants. This complex blend of respect, intimidation, and relentless pursuit of her goals adds another fascinating dimension to Priscilla Masterson, a character Bening hopes will resonate with viewers for her sheer entertainment value.