Trending Now - Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer Discuss Shocking 'madison' Twist
WHO:
Michelle Pfeiffer, actress
Kurt Russell, actor
Taylor Sheridan, creator of “The Madison”
Helen Mirren, actress
David E. Kelley, television writer and producer
Christina Alexandra Voros, director of Season 1
WHAT:
Michelle Pfeiffer stated, “I reached out to Helen Mirren... She couldn’t have been more complimentary. She said, ‘The scripts are perfect, the production is perfect. I’m having the time of my life.’”
Kurt Russell remarked, “When I read the scripts, I had a hard time getting through them, because it was incredibly emotional.”
Russell explained that he had spoken to Sheridan years ago about an unrelated project before “The Madison” came up while he was committed to “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.”
Pfeiffer mentioned that Russell hadn’t been cast when they started shooting “The Madison,” and she had no idea who she would be talking to in some of her scenes.
Russell noted that the one scene in Season 1 where he and Pfeiffer are together was actually filmed for Season 2.
Pfeiffer described the first season as taking place over six days, stating, “I think that in the first season it goes in between sorrow and grief and denial and trying to be stoic.”
Russell stated, “It’s pretty clear who Taylor Sheridan’s writing for... He was dead on it, and it made it obviously very easy for me to have fun and do what I would have done with Michelle.”
Russell said, “I don’t know what they did, but they fixed it,” referring to ensuring his character's last word was clear in the final cut.
Pfeiffer described the series as having “a drop of 'Green Acres,' but it's a drama and a tragedy.”
Russell commented on the bathtub scenes, saying, “That bathtub is so high. You can't get the back of your head comfortable.”
Pfeiffer expressed her appreciation for Montana, stating, “It's just the most beautiful landscape that I've ever seen. And they call it 'Big Sky' for a reason.”
The first three episodes of “The Madison” premiered on March 14th, 2026, and the final three episodes will stream on March 21st, 2026.
Kurt Russell's character, Preston, dies in a plane crash during the pilot episode.
The Clyburn family includes two adult daughters: Abigail (played by Beau Garrett) and Paige (played by Elle Chapman).
Preston has a brother named Paul, portrayed by Matthew Fox, who is also a pilot.
The series depicts the Clyburn family traveling to Montana to retrieve Preston's body and decide where to bury him.
Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Stacy Clyburn in “The Madison”
Kurt Russell plays Preston, Stacy's husband
The first three episodes of “The Madison” premiered on March 14th, 2026, on Paramount+
The series is about a family moving from New York City to Montana after a tragedy
Pfeiffer reached out to Helen Mirren for advice before accepting the role
Russell joked that Harrison Ford advised him to avoid the project
The first episode features the death of Preston in a plane crash
Pfeiffer described the first season as taking place over six days
WHERE:
The Madison is set in Montana
Michelle Pfeiffer and Taylor Sheridan met at his ranch in Texas
WHEN:
The first three episodes of “The Madison” premiered on March 14th, 2026
The series was filmed in 2025 and 2026
Pfeiffer and Russell last worked together in 1988 on “Tequila Sunrise”
WHY:
Pfeiffer accepted the role based on Taylor Sheridan's strong track record
Russell joined the project due to the combination of Sheridan's writing and the opportunity to work with Pfeiffer
HOW:
Michelle Pfeiffer stated, “I realized at a certain point I was not going to win this battle. I was either going to have to take a leap of faith or take a pass, and I decided to take the leap because he obviously had a very strong track record.”
Kurt Russell remarked, “When I read the scripts, I had a hard time getting through them, because it was incredibly emotional.”
Pfeiffer committed to the role without seeing a script, based on a conceptual discussion with Sheridan
Russell insisted on viewing footage of Pfeiffer's scenes to match timing during filming
Christina Alexandra Voros directed all episodes of Season 1 from Sheridan's scripts
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 13:17 UTC)
Michelle Pfeiffer shared that she reached out to Helen Mirren, who praised the scripts and production of their new project, saying she’s having the time of her life. Kurt Russell also chimed in, noting how emotional the scripts were and revealing that the scene he filmed with Pfeiffer was actually intended for the second season, even though they hadn’t been cast together when shooting began. Pfeiffer described the first season's emotional journey, highlighting the beautiful Montana landscape, which she believes truly lives up to its name, "Big Sky."
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 11:02 UTC)
The first three episodes of the highly anticipated series “The Madison” premiered yesterday, with the final three episodes set to stream next week. In a dramatic twist, Kurt Russell's character, Preston, tragically dies in a plane crash during the pilot episode, leading the Clyburn family, including his two daughters Abigail and Paige, to travel to Montana to retrieve his body and make burial arrangements. Michelle Pfeiffer shared her thoughts on the project, stating she had to take a leap of faith, while Kurt Russell described the emotional weight of the scripts as incredibly challenging to get through.
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(UPDATED March 15, 2026 07:17 UTC)
The first three episodes of “The Madison,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn and Kurt Russell as her husband Preston, premiered on Paramount+ yesterday, March 14, 2026. The series, set in Montana, follows a family moving from New York City after a tragedy, with the first episode featuring Preston's death in a plane crash. Pfeiffer took on the role after a conversation with creator Taylor Sheridan, while Russell joined the project to collaborate with her and was advised by Harrison Ford to steer clear of it.