Kurt Russell, at 74 years old, almost did not join the cast of The Madison, a family drama created by Taylor Sheridan. The Yellowstone creator and Michelle Pfeiffer, who also stars and serves as an executive producer, adjusted the production schedule to accommodate Russell’s availability, enabling him to film both the first and second seasons. Russell initially faced a timing clash with his work on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, an Apple TV+ series, which threatened his ability to participate in The Madison.
Production Adjustments Made to Include Russell
Russell explained that while shooting Monarch, he found no way to fit The Madison’s schedule. In response, Sheridan and Pfeiffer negotiated with Paramount+ to delay filming his scenes from season one until after he completed his existing obligations. This arrangement allowed The Madison’s production to shoot two seasons consecutively, prioritizing Russell’s scenes first, then returning to the remainder of season two’s filming.
“Michelle Pfeiffer and Taylor were able to get together with the people at Paramount+ and said, ‘Well, let’s do two seasons instead of just one,’”
Russell recalled.
“‘And then before we start the second season next year, instead of doing that, we will start with Kurt’s stuff. We really do want him to play the guy. And we’ll get his first season out of the way first, and jam all that in there, and then go into the second season and do that.’ And so we were able to do that.”
The Madison’s Premise and Current Status
The Madison, premiering March 14 on Paramount+, follows the Clyburn family as they relocate from Manhattan to Montana after experiencing a devastating loss. Although the show has yet to be officially renewed for a second season, lead actress Elle Chapman announced on social media that filming for season two has wrapped recently. Paramount+ has not provided public comments regarding the renewal.
Russell’s Appreciation for the Show and Cast
Russell expressed enthusiasm for The Madison’s intelligent storytelling, highlighting the writing by Taylor Sheridan and the performances of Michelle Pfeiffer, who he believes is an awards contender. The first season consists of six episodes, matched by another six in the second season, which Russell appreciated.
“I was very happy about that, because I really like what The Madison is. It’s a smart show,”
Russell stated.
“He’s a really good writer — Taylor’s excellent, and Michelle’s great, and she’s really great in this show. Talking about awards — I think they’re going to be looking Michelle’s way.”
He also commended his fellow cast members, including Elle Chapman, Beau Garrett, Matthew Fox, Patrick J. Adams, and Will Arnett, while underscoring that it was Sheridan’s female-centered writing that sets the series apart.
“They’re all really good, but it is [Sheridan’s] writing that is so compelling,”
Russell said.
“And 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’s Upcoming Commercial Featuring Skiing Role
Before The Madison’s season two debut and Monarch’s upcoming season two launch on February 27, Russell is starring in a new television commercial for Michelob ULTRA that will air during the Super Bowl. The ad, directed by Joseph Kosinski, features Russell as a mysterious mountain man who coaches a novice skier named Greg, portrayed by Lewis Pullman from Thunderbolts, to help him improve on the ski slopes.
The commercial intertwines the Super Bowl event with anticipation for the 2026 Winter Olympics and includes appearances by Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim and NHL champion T.J. Oshie, who watch Greg’s skiing with awe. This marks both Russell’s and Pullman’s first commercial appearances.
“We love watching the Super Bowl, and it’s fun to watch the commercials too,”
Russell, a lifelong skier, remarked.
“I gotta say, on that day, they’re very different…. They’re a little bit like a mini movie. They’re water cooler fare, and the next day it’s fun to talk about them. So I looked at it as something like, ‘Hey, let’s go after this. Let’s have some fun with this thing.’”
Insights into Russell’s Character and Filming Experience
Russell shared that he found his commercial character intriguing and enjoyed working alongside Pullman during the shoot. He also brought personal skiing experience to the role, contributing ideas that went beyond the original concept.
“Who’s this guy? What’s he do? Who was that masked man?”
Russell said, reflecting on his character.
“And Lewis Pullman was really fun to work with. It was just a fun day…. I was the first person to ski Snowbird this year before it was open, so I had a great time.”
“I tapped into some of the things that I’ve experienced,”
he added.
“Some of that stuff wasn’t written in the original concept. Joe and ULTRA were great to work with in terms of, ‘Hey, guys, what about there? What about this? What about this? How about that?’ And we came up with some fun stuff. I’ve seen some interesting things. I skied all my life, and I saw how this could tap into the coaching aspect of what we did in [the 2004 Olympic sports drama] Miracle. That kind of stuff.”
Significance and What Lies Ahead
The adjustments made to include Kurt Russell in The Madison highlight the showrunners’ commitment to securing his involvement, underscoring the series’ ambitious and adaptive production approach. The series’ female-focused narrative represents a notable shift for Taylor Sheridan, expanding his storytelling lens. With season two already filmed, audiences can anticipate its arrival while also watching Russell’s debut commercial during one of television’s most-viewed events, the Super Bowl. Both The Madison and Monarch demonstrate Russell’s continued prominence in high-profile projects despite earlier scheduling challenges.
