In an exclusive interview, veteran actor Kurt Russell has opened up about a deeply personal family connection that informed his role in Taylor Sheridan's latest dramatic series, The Madison. The new Paramount+ show, which launched on Saturday, 14th March, features Russell as Preston Clyburn, a patriarch whose elite New York family is uprooted to Montana after a tragic accident.
A Dream Reunion with Michelle Pfeiffer
Russell's character is married to Stacy Clyburn, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, marking a significant on-screen reunion nearly four decades after the pair first worked together on the 1988 film Tequila Sunrise. Speaking at the show's London premiere, Russell humorously reflected on this long-awaited partnership.
"I didn't get the girl in Tequila Sunrise, so I finally got to be married to her for 40 years in this series," he joked. Russell elaborated on the seamless experience of working with Pfeiffer again, contrasting it with their earlier collaboration.
"It was great, that connection from working together and having a really good time all those years ago... Michelle and I had a really great time. This was just smooth sailing. This was a dream, just a pleasure every day."
Fly-Fishing: A Family Legacy
A central element of Russell's character is his fly-fishing hobby, which he shares with his on-screen brother Paul, played by Matthew Fox. This pursuit holds profound familial significance for Russell, tracing back to his grandfather, Bing Russell, who once owned the prestigious Kennebago Lake Club in Rangeley, Maine.
"I grew up with that," Russell recalled. "I was never a great fly-fisher, and I've got a son, Oliver Hudson, who's a great fly-fisherman. I was more of a hunter, but I do appreciate the aspect of fly-fishing that is hunting fish rather than hoping to catch something."
Despite not considering himself an expert, Russell required minimal preparation for the role, drawing on lifelong experience.
"I've done my share of it. It's like riding a bike. Every year we float down the Roaring Fork River and go fly-fishing, it's something I've done all my life."
An Ensemble Cast and Emotional Depth
The series boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Patrick J. Adams from Suits as the son-in-law and Beau Garrett from The Good Doctor as the daughter. Russell emphasized the emotional core of his character, particularly as the family discovers hidden truths after relocating to Montana.
"I worked primarily with Matthew Fox and Michelle, and I just wanted to be able to hopefully bring to this character what Michelle's character needs. When they move from New York to Montana, that's when you really begin to discover a lot of things they didn't know about their father."
Russell also highlighted the dynamic between his character and his on-screen brother, noting the mentorship aspect in their fly-fishing scenes.
"What was fun in this was to be not as good as my brother. He's sort of my mentor because he's lived there and he's doing it every day. What I love is that he appreciates what his brother is getting out of it."
Streaming Details and Future Episodes
The first three episodes of The Madison are available to stream now on Paramount+, with episodes 4-6 scheduled for release on Saturday, 21st March. The series promises to deliver one of the year's most emotional family dramas, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Madison River.
