The Madison’s Kurt Russell opens up about his role as Preston Clyburn in Taylor Sheridan’s new drama and reuniting with Michelle Pfeiffer after nearly 40 years
Kurt Russell spills on ‘dream’ reunion with Michelle Pfeiffer(Image: Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images)
The Madison star Kurt Russell revealed a touching family connection to a crucial element of his character Preston Clyburn in the moving and heartbreaking new drama from Taylor Sheridan.
The Yellowstone creator’s newest project features Michelle Pfeiffer, Russell’s former co-star from years past, as Stacy Clyburn, the matriarch of a privileged New York family forced to abandon their luxurious lifestyle for Montana following a tragic accident.
Launching today (Saturday, March 14) on Paramount+, audiences will have access to the first three episodes before the series’ second half arrives next week.
In an exclusive interview with Reach at the show’s London premiere, Russell discussed his on-screen reunion with Pfeiffer nearly four decades since their initial collaboration.
“I didn’t get the girl in Tequila Sunrise, so I finally got to be married to her for 40 years in this [series],” he joked, reports the Express.
Kurt Russell shares touching family link to ‘dream’ role(Image: PARAMOUNT)
“It was great, that connection from working together and having a really good time all those years ago… what was it, 1988? Michelle and I had a really great time.
“It was a more difficult time for her in terms of what the production itself offered and created, but this was just smooth sailing. This was a dream, just a pleasure every day. I worked primarily with Matthew Fox and Michelle and I just wanted to be able to hopefully bring to this character what Michelle’s character needs.
“And what the family needs to know about him, feel about him. When they move from New York to Montana, that’s when you really begin to discover a lot of things they didn’t know about their father.”
Kurt Russell worked with Michelle Pfeiffer again after nearly 40 years(Image: PARAMOUNT)
Russell and Pfeiffer lead an impressive ensemble cast for the series, which features Lost star Matthew Fox as Preston’s brother Paul, Suits actor Patrick J Adams as Preston and Stacy’s son-in-law, and The Good Doctor’s Beau Garrett as their daughter, Abigail.
Much of Preston and Paul’s screen time together involves fly-fishing, an activity Russell has strong family ties to through his grandfather, Bing Russell, who previously owned the Kennebago Lake Club in Rangeley, Maine.
“I grew up with that,” he reminisced. “I was never a great fly-fisher, and I’ve got a son, Oliver Hudson, who’s a great fly-fisherman, and a really good deep sea fisherman. I was more of a hunter, but I do appreciate the aspect of fly-fishing that is hunting fish rather than hoping to catch something.
“But I like what it has to say about self-reflection when you’re out there doing it.”
Whilst Russell doesn’t claim to be an expert, he apparently needed minimal preparation to master this crucial physical element of his role.
Preston fly-fishing with his brother Paul(Image: PARAMOUNT)
“I’ve done my share of it,” he said. “It’s like riding a bike. Every year we float down the Roaring Fork River and go fly-fishing, it’s something I’ve done all my life.
“What was fun in this was to be not as good as my brother. He’s sort of my mentor because he’s lived there and he’s doing it every day. What I love is that he appreciates what his brother is getting out of it. It was fun to be not so good at it.”
Experience the grandeur of the Madison River in one of the most inspiring family dramas of the year, now available for streaming.
