When Michelle Pfeiffer signed on to be a part of “The Madison,” she hadn’t read a single script — in fact, series creator Taylor Sheridan hadn’t written one yet. The actor also had no idea whether Kurt Russell, who had signed on to play her husband, would even be available to film due to a scheduling conflict. All Pfeiffer knew for certain was the rough outline that Sheridan had shared with her: A story about a woman who is nearly torn apart by grief and how she comes out on the other side.
And so, Pfeiffer took a leap of faith.
It all paid off: “The Madison” reached 8 million viewers in its first 10 days of availability, making it the most-watched debut for a Taylor Sheridan show. The show also achieved Sheridan’s most popular series launch among women ages 35 and older (Sheridan created the series and serves as executive producer. Both Pfeiffer and Russell executive produce in addition to starring).
At a recent panel, Pfeiffer explained that she had been wanting to get back to television when Sheridan approached her. “When Taylor Sheridan meets with you and says, ‘I would like to develop a series around your character,’ I mean, you don’t take that lightly,” she shared during the conversation that also featured co-stars Russell, Matthew Fox, Beau Garrett, Elle Chapman and director, cinematographer and executive producer Christina Alexandra Voros.
