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Kurt Russell, known for his role in “The Madison,” has shared how Taylor Sheridan’s scripts for the series struck a personal chord with him, reflecting his own romance with Goldie Hawn.
In this new Paramount+ drama, Russell, now 75, portrays Preston Clyburn. His character’s untimely demise in the opening episode sets off a poignant narrative, as his family grapples with the shock and heartache of losing him so suddenly.
Specifically, the loss deeply affects his long-time spouse, Stacy Clyburn, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, as she navigates her sorrow and comes to realize the depth of their bond only after he’s gone.
In an interview with The National, Russell, who has shared a loving partnership with Hawn, 80, for more than four decades, confessed to being moved by the love story between his character and Stacy, seeing reflections of his own relationship.
“I struggled to get through the scripts,” Russell admitted. “They resonated deeply with me, showcasing the show’s strength in connecting with its audience through genuine and heartfelt storytelling.”
He continued, “It was so powerful for it to have a serious, true love relationship with someone, and then for one of those people to go, and for the other to realize they didn’t know how good it was – that they didn’t know there was so much more to it, and they’re not going to let that go.”
Russell and Hawn first met in 1966 when they co-starred in the comedy musical western, “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.”
At the time, Hawn was 21 and Russell was 16. In 2012, the “Death Becomes Her” star told BBC Radio 4 that she thought Russell was “adorable, but much too young.”
However, the pair’s relationship eventually turned romantic when they co-starred in the 1983 film “Swing Shift,” which saw their sparkling chemistry on full display. They memorably teamed up a few years later in the beloved 1987 romantic comedy “Overboard.”
In 1986, the couple welcomed son Wyatt, 39. Russell also helped raise Hawn’s daughter Kate, 46, and son Oliver, 49, from her previous marriage to singer Bill Hudson, 76. The “Escape From New York” star also shares son Boston, 45, with his ex-wife, actress Season Hubley, 74.
Russell previously noted the similarities between his character’s marriage and his own relationship while speaking with Men’s Health last month.
“Some of the conversations that [Preston and Stacy] have, I’ve had,” he told the outlet. “Goldie and I have had very similar conversations. Their relationship, it’s the kind of relationship you almost never see anymore.”
“It’s a truly loving relationship,” Russell continued. “It’s not like there’s another shoe to drop. That’s what makes it so difficult for [Michelle’s] character when she loses her husband. She’s realizing how much more they could have had that they didn’t have because of something she didn’t do.”
“I think a lot of people relate to that kind of regret,” he added. “As you get older, and you’ve only got so much time left, that doubles things up in terms of looking at what you’ve done in your life so far and what you want to do with the rest of your life.”
In “The Madison,” Stacy and her family leave Manhattan behind after Preston’s death and move to the rural Madison River Valley region of Montana, the place that he loved the most and where he lost his life.
Stacy, who had never visited Preston’s Montana cabin while he was alive, discovers that there was a side of him that she never knew and regrets she didn’t experience when she had the chance.
While speaking with The National, Russell said he appreciated how Sheridan balanced the show’s heavy themes with humor, especially in the face of loss.
“What I like about what Taylor does is he makes it humorous, as well as a lot of gallows humor always, always around it,” Russell said. “The cog that was in the middle of it all is gone, and you can only deal with it. You can’t get it back.”
“The Madison” went on to become Sheridan’s biggest-ever series launch after the premiere episode reached 8 million global streaming views in the first 10 days after its debut on March 14. The final three episodes of the first season were released on March 21, and the show was renewed for a second season days later.
Filming for the second season has already been completed, though the release date has yet to be announced.
Despite his character’s death in the premiere, Russell appeared in every episode of “The Madison’s” first season through flashbacks.. While speaking with The National, Russell shared that the second season will delve further into Preston and Stacy’s relationship.
“In many, many ways, it’s better,” he said. “You see them together a lot.”