Kurt Russell recently shared his thoughts on Taylor Sheridan’s television universe. The actor, who plays Preston Clyburn in The Madison, explained why Sheridan’s shows continue to connect with so many fans. He believes the series resonates strongly with what he called the “silent majority.”
Kurt Russell on the audience appeal of Taylor Sheridan’s TV universe
After receiving the Crystal Nymph award at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival, Kurt Russell spoke with Deadline about his recent projects, including Monarch and The Madison. He said, “I hadn’t done any television for over 50 years when I did Monarch, and then The Madison.”
In The Madison, Russell appears mainly through flashbacks. The series also stars Michelle Pfeiffer and explores themes of family and loss. Russell described the show as one aimed at a more mature audience.
He said, “It’s really an adult-themed show, because you can’t really appreciate [the story] until you have something like that happen to you at a certain time in your life. I’ve never done anything like The Madison in terms of how it hits people.”
The actor also discussed the emotional core of the story. He pointed to Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, Stacy Clyburn, and her struggle after losing someone she loved. He said, “Very few people have the opportunity to have a wonderful 40-year marriage, but where you had no idea how wonderful it was, like Michelle’s character [Stacy Clyburn].”
“How do you show that, how do you talk about that? She’s so wrought with not just guilt, but angst and anger at herself for not getting all of him.” When asked why Taylor Sheridan’s growing collection of shows attracts such a large audience, Russell offered a simple explanation. “It’s the silent majority,” he said.
Russell also noted that while The Madison found success quickly, some of his most popular projects took years to gain an audience. “A lot of the movies that I did that became truly beloved or cult classics were just dead on arrival, or they didn’t do very well [at first].”
He continued, “Had it not been for DVDs, my career would have been completely different. I probably have 12 or 15 movies that are in the zeitgeist [and] people love, not from the release of the movie, but from finding it years later.”
As The Madison continues to find success, Russell believes its emotional storytelling is what connects with fans. The series is currently streaming on Paramount+.
