Who Plays Abby In Yellowstone Season 5?
The Dutton family, featured on the Paramount Network series "Yellowstone," feels that they're tied to the land that has been in their family for several generations. In contrast, Abby, a new character in Season 5, is an uninhibited musician and singer, with no connection to the open Montana landscape.
The character is first seen getting ready to sing at John Dutton's (Kevin Costner) inauguration as governor. Abby openly tells John's daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) that she doesn't date cowboys, because "they'll always love the life more." Despite her protestations, though, she still shares a fun dance with Dutton ranch hand Ryan (Ian Bohen). Eventually, this leads to the pair sharing a steamy kiss, as well as a romance.
The actress who plays Abby had never kissed anyone on camera before. She told USA Today, "I didn't really know what I was doing, but you go in there head-first. I was going to give people their money's worth." And while she may not have much experience in the world of acting, this up-and-coming on-screen talent should be a familiar face to many a country music fan.
She's a CMA-winning country artist
According to USA Today, Lainey Wilson's voice has actually been heard on "Yellowstone" before, when her song "Working Overtime" appeared in a Season 2 episode. Wilson is actually best known as a country singer, and her arc on the newest season of "Yellowstone" serves as her official acting debut.
Luckily, the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan, wrote the part specifically for her. "(Sheridan) said he wanted me to pretty much be myself, which is a dream come true, especially when you're trying to introduce yourself to people," Wilson told USA Today. "All I got from him at that time was that I would play a musician who would fall in love with one of the boys. He didn't even tell me which one."
Wilson's acting career may just be getting started, but her country music profile has been steadily rising. She recently won Country Music Awards for best new artist and female vocalist of the year, and also released her new record, "Bell Bottom Country," in October.
The singer doesn't feel that her performance on "Yellowstone," or her recent album, will be her peak either. She told USA Today, "I'm trying all these new things, even 'Yellowstone,' my first acting gig. I'm excited to see what the next step is."