Kurt Russell Champions Taylor Sheridan's New Series Amid Criticism
Hollywood veteran Kurt Russell has stepped forward to defend acclaimed writer and creator Taylor Sheridan against persistent criticism regarding his portrayal of female characters. The actor, who features in Sheridan's latest television project, The Madison, has described the series as distinctly "female-gaze-oriented" and praised its compelling narrative.
A Different Direction for Sheridan
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 74-year-old star elaborated on his experience working on the show. "I think that it's a very different show for Taylor in that it's a very female-gaze-oriented show. And I think it's extremely well written, it was fun to play. It was really fun to do. I just had a good time," Russell stated. He went on to commend the overall quality, noting, "It's a smart show. He's a really good writer — Taylor's excellent."
The Madison serves as a modern-day spin-off from Sheridan's wildly successful drama Yellowstone. The series chronicles the Clyburn family's relocation from New York City to Montana in the wake of a personal tragedy. The ensemble cast features notable names including Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Chapman, Beau Garrett, Matthew Fox, Patrick J. Adams, and Will Arnett alongside Russell.
Addressing Longstanding Criticisms
Russell's supportive comments arrive following years of scrutiny directed at Sheridan's body of work. Critics and audiences have frequently argued that his female characters across series like Yellowstone, its prequels 1883 and 1923, and other shows such as Mayor of Kingstown and Landman, are often reduced to over-sexualized and one-dimensional roles within male-dominated narratives.
This perspective has been echoed in various media reviews and online discussions. A review of Landman by Entertainment Weekly was pointedly titled, "Man, does this new Taylor Sheridan drama hate women." Similarly, Salon's culture editor Kelly McClure observed, "As a general rule, if there's a woman on screen during Yellowstone, she's either fighting, f***ing, crying, or yelling. I guess that's the cowboy way?" Online forums like Reddit host numerous threads where viewers express frustration, with one popular post bluntly titled, "I'm convinced Taylor Sheridan doesn't like women."
Actresses Rally in Defence
Other actors from Sheridan's productions have also countered these criticisms. Ali Larter, who plays Beth Dutton in Landman, addressed concerns about her character's sexualization in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "Nobody's putting me in a position that I'm not comfortable being in... I love playing this character. If there was something I was uncomfortable with, I wouldn't do it," she asserted. Larter added that Sheridan writes "women in their prime, that were still allowed to be alive."
Kelly Reilly, known for her iconic role in Yellowstone, offered a similar defence. She suggested viewers were initially "very critical" of her character "because she is unapologetic, out there, flawed, damaged and brave." Reilly highlighted a double standard, noting, "Women are always asked to play strong role model types, while men can play the gnarliest characters and get away with it."
Premiere and Future Plans
The Madison is scheduled to premiere on March 14 on Paramount. This launch marks a significant moment as Sheridan fulfills his existing contractual obligations with the media conglomerate before his anticipated move to NBCUniversal in 2029. The series represents not only a new chapter in the expanding Yellowstone universe but also a focal point in the ongoing debate about gender representation in contemporary television drama.
