All signs are pointing towards The Madison being unlike anything Taylor Sheridan has ever done before.
The Madison is described to be some of Sheridan’s most intimate work, and will tell a story that explores grief and human connection. As far as plot is concerned, the series revolves around the titular character of Stacy Clyburn (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), a wealthy matriarch who upends her life in New York City to move her and her family to Montana following a plane crash that kills her husband (played by Kurt Russell) and brother-in-law.
Sneak peaks of the show lay out a tale that will be engrossed with family, grief and tragedy. The director of the show, Christina Alexandra Voros (who has previously worked with Sheridan on Yellowstone, 1883 and Lawmen: Bass Reeves), shared with USA Today that it’s not going to be your typical, action-packed Taylor Sheridan series.
That being said, Voros still believes that the show will be just as explosive as some of the Yellowstone creator’s other projects:
“The action is coming from an emotional place. The fireworks are more internal than external. The fireworks are not coming from exploding a meth house. They’re coming from people having to come to terms and feelings of love and loss in an explosive way.”
In other words… get the tissues ready, and don’t expect any shootouts.
Later on in the interview, The Madison director said she’s incredibly proud of what she’s accomplished with the show, which has actually already shot its first two seasons. Every early look of the series has showcased cinematic shots and settings, and Voros leaned into the natural beauty of Montana – where the show was filmed at a location outside of Three Forks, Montana built specifically for The Madison:
“I’m very proud as a cinematographer. So much of the beauty comes from capturing things at exactly the right moment when the light is a certain way. We captured the most divine light.”
That’s abundantly evident in the official trailer of the show.
Even the score for the show is supposed to reflect environmental sounds, which will only help to tap into the emotional storyline that will be driven by Michelle Pfeiffer’s Stacy Clyburn character. Other female characters will also be taking on central roles, and Voros mentioned that Kurt Russell’s headline-worthy description of the series rings true:
“Kurt Russell has said that he feels this is the most feminine lens through which Taylor has written. I agree. There is definitely a strong female presence. This is a story filled with strong women.”
Yes, Pfeiffer’s co-star actually described it as a “female-gaze oriented” show, which is definitely a departure from Sheridan’s regular work.
And considering that, I guess it makes sense that The Madison is not a Yellowstone spinoff. Even though the setting is awfully close to where the Dutton family’s story plays out, the series is going to be a standalone piece. Voros confirmed that the new show won’t have any ties to Yellowstone… but that it will feel familiar to fans:
“It’s not the same genre, but it’s the same landscape I think it will bring in a new audience,” says Voros. “People who have followed the Duttons on TV for centuries will find familiarity. And people who have never watched ‘Yellowstone’ will be drawn to the show.”
The highly anticipated series is set to premiere on March 14 on Paramount+. Like director Christina Alexandra Voros said right there, I’ve got a feeling that The Madison is going to draw in the Yellowstone crowd and new viewers alike. It should have all of the feeling of a Sheridan show, with no barrier of entry for non-Yellowstone viewers that wish to check it out.
Until then, here’s the trailer:
The Madison – Official Trailer
