The actor known for playing Michael Ross in Suits is now part of the Yellowstone universe, and he has nothing but high praise for the creator behind it all. Patrick J. Adams, who plays Russell McIntosh in the new Paramount+ series The Madison, recently opened up about what it is like to work with writer Taylor Sheridan. Adams says the scripts are different from what people might expect from the man who brought Yellowstone to life, calling them deeply personal and sincere.
Adams spoke about his experience during press for the show, which premiered its first three episodes on March 14. The final three episodes of the first season became available on March 21. His comments give viewers a look at what makes Sheridan’s creative process stand out in Hollywood.
A Softer Side of Taylor Sheridan Storytelling
For many fans, Taylor Sheridan’s name brings to mind images of cowboys, land disputes, and tough characters in shows like Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. But Patrick J. Adams explains that The Madison shows a different side of the writer. He told Country Living that Sheridan’s work is famous for portraying a certain kind of masculine strength, but this new project offers something more emotional.
“Taylor’s famous for creating some very, for lack of a better word, masculine television, and men [who] are of very traditional male strength and character—cowboys staring off into the sunset—which is great; phenomenal,” Adams said. However, he was drawn to his character because it broke that mold. “I was so interested and moved that he created a character in this world that was not that.”
Adams plays Russell, a husband from New York City who follows his wife’s family to Montana. Unlike the rugged cowboys Sheridan often writes, Russell is a city man who feels out of place in the wilderness. Adams finds bravery in that vulnerability.
“He’s made even more brave by the fact that he has no idea how to be there for this family, other than to put his body on the line, like, ‘I’m here; I don’t know what to do, but I’m going to be here, and I’m going to do my best.’ And I think that’s a different version of bravery than I’ve often seen.”
Connecting Personal Experience to the Role
For Patrick J. Adams, playing a man surrounded by strong women felt natural. He shared that his own life mirrors his character’s situation. He was raised by women, has two sisters, and is now a father to three daughters. He says navigating a space where he is the only man is something he understands well.
“It is a particular kind of navigation to be the sole man in a lot of those rooms, and so there’s something I relate to with Russell,” Adams explained. He added that while it can be a challenge, rising to the occasion is a gift that allows a person to learn a lot about themselves.
His co-star Elle Chapman, who plays his on-screen wife Paige, also connected deeply with the material. She noted that the show portrays female relationships in an honest way. Chapman also related to the theme of loss, having lost her own father when she was young. She saw her mother’s experience reflected in Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, Stacy.
How Sheridan Writes for His Cast
The way Taylor Sheridan creates his shows is unique. Michelle Pfeiffer recently revealed that she agreed to star in The Madison without reading a script. She told Entertainment Tonight that Sheridan prefers to cast actors first and then write the characters specifically for them.
“I committed to it without even having read anything,” Pfeiffer said. She explained that Sheridan described the character and the story outline, but there was no script ready at the time. They went back and forth for weeks, but she eventually agreed to trust his vision.
This method seems to have worked well. Kurt Russell, who stars alongside Pfeiffer, also praised Sheridan’s writing. Russell told Entertainment Weekly that the scripts are compelling and that Sheridan is a “really good writer.” He believes the show stands out because of the writing quality.
What to Expect from The Madison
The Madison follows the Clyburn family, who move from New York City to Montana. They seek emotional healing after a tragedy shakes their family. The cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Patrick J. Adams, Elle Chapman, Matthew Fox, and Beau Garrett.
The first season has six episodes. The show has already filmed a second season, according to Kurt Russell. He explained that production had to adjust his schedule to allow him to work on other projects, so they planned to shoot over two seasons.
For Patrick J. Adams, the experience of filming in Montana was a major shift from his Suits days. He noted that shooting in a studio in Toronto for years was very different from working outside in nature every day. He described the location as “unspeakably beautiful” and said it did much of the work for the actors, providing constant inspiration.
The Madison is available to stream now on Paramount+.
Also Read: The Madison Soundtrack Guide: Every Song and Score in Taylor Sheridan’s New Drama
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