On the surface, small-screen hit maker Taylor Sheridan’s (Yellowstone) latest TV saga sounds like a slightly more straight-faced Schitt’s Creek given a twist of gut-wrenching tragedy and widescreen western vistas. The Madison is the latest Sheridan project to hit Paramount+ and it brings spectacle and a major new family saga in its wake.
The series follows the dysfunctional Clyburn family, who trade their lavish lifestyle in New York for the Great Plains of America after an unexpected death. What comes next is an exploration of grief and its devastating impact on family relationships, along with some fish-out-of-water comedy as the pampered family adapt to their unlikely new neighbourhood.
Here’s five things you need to know about The Madison ahead of its launch on Paramount+ this weekend.
1. The A-list cast delivers the Tequila Sunrise reunion we didn’t know we needed
Hollywood heavyweights Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell – romantic leads, of course, in classic ’80s action-thriller Tequila Sunrise – head up the cast of The Madison as Stacy and Preston Clyburn.
Beau Garrett (Tron: Legacy) and newcomer Elle Chapman star as the pair’s grown-up but chaotic daughters Abigail and Paige, with Patrick J Adams (Suits) as Russell, Paige’s husband.
Arrested Development’s Will Arnett guest stars as Dr Phil Yorn, with Matthew Fox (Lost) as Preston’s brother Paul.
2. Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is at the helm
Sheridan is once again stepping into the Great Plains of America for The Madison. Having grown up on a ranch in Texas, the showrunner has once again taken inspiration from his years as a young cowboy.
Sheridan has enjoyed huge success with shows including Yellowstone and its spin-offs, 1833 and 1923, all of which were also set in America’s old west.
3. The show was filmed in Montana
Filming for the series took place in Montana and Texas. The Madison takes its name from the vast river that flows through Three Forks, Montana, where the series is set.
The streets of Dallas-Fort Worth stood in for New York City, where we meet the Clyburn family in the opening episode.
The KG Ranch in Three Forks, Montana, stood in for the family’s new rural digs, where the resident 800 cows briefly shared their home with Hollywood stars during production.
When Michelle Pfeiffer’s matriarchal figurehead Stacy ventures to the nearest town, these scenes were filmed in the Montana city of Bozeman.
4. The first season is dropping in two instalments
The Madison launches on Paramount+ this Saturday, March 14 with the first three episodes available to stream.
The remaining three episodes will arrive a week later, on Saturday, March 21.
Check out the trailer below to see what’s in store.
