Taylor Sheridan Madison It depicts a family in mourning with all the chaos, questions, tears and anger that comes in the wake of losing someone you love. As Paige McIntosh née Clyburn, newcomer Elle Chapman delivers a layered performance as a daughter who must learn to navigate life with her now-broken mother, Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer), and without her beloved father, Preston Clyburn (Kurt Russell). Paige leans on her husband, Russell McIntosh, who brought him back to life Suits It stars Patrick J. Adams, who gives up his job on Wall Street to accompany the family to Montana in their time of need. Along for the ride is their niece Bridget (Amia Miller).
While the series is full of sadness for the characters, Paige and Russell’s dynamic brings some much-needed lightness to the events. Chapman and Adams worked to determine how these two very different people could end up together. “We decided they were in a place that looked like a Soho house,” Adams mused. “Maybe his friends dared him to talk to her.” Chapman believes Page would have found his tension “fascinating.” She also believes that Russell “may be” the last good man left in New York City.
As husband, brother-in-law and son-in-law, Russell undertakes the difficult task of providing for his new family during this most devastating time. “This devastating event in the lives of the Claiborne family provides him with the opportunity to appear before the people he loves,” Adams said. “He’s messing it up, but he still really wants to help.” “It’s scary to show up to people when you have no idea how to do anything,” Adams points out, but Russell does it anyway. “I thought that was something very unique and special about him.”
The trio spoke to Decider during a press junket to talk about the series, pay tribute to their mother on set, and more.
Rapporteur: Patrick and Ellie We know that Russell and Paige have been married for two years, but I’m fascinated to know how they met. Do you think they have a nice encounter?
Patrick J. Adams: [Laughs] We were just talking about it. We decided to meet at a Soho House type of place.
Elle Chapman: A luxurious place with a private membership. PA: And maybe his friends challenged him to talk to her because it was unusual for him to approach someone who looked like Paige. They’re like, “Keep going, do it!” “I’m going to blow the bomb,” Russell was saying.
EC: And she finds it fascinating.
PA: Maybe secretly adorable [laughs]. Suddenly, he has a date with her, and he has no idea what to do. I think he always feels like she’s a little out of his league.
Russell steps up for Paige and the Clyburns without any hesitation or complaint. Is he the last good man left in New York City?
EC: Maybe it is [Laughs]
Patrick, how did this family earn his loyalty, besides the obvious?
PA: Russell is a man looking for a family, but he’s also looking for a community. This devastating event in the Clyburns’ life provides him with an opportunity to truly show up for the people he loves, even though he doesn’t quite know how to do so. He made a mess of it, but he still really wanted to help. There is no doubt in his mind that he is making this journey with these people to this place to be with them in their time of need.
That’s what attracted me to the character, because otherwise he was pretty useless [laughs]. It’s scary to appear in front of people when you have no idea how to do anything. It would be much easier for him to say, “Tell me what you need. I’ll stay home, hold down the fort, and go to my job.” But, he says, “No, I’ll be here for all of them — not just her.” I thought that was something unique and special about him.
Amia, Bridget and Missy are left with their Uncle Russell and Aunt Peg for a long time. How did you and your on-screen sister Alina Pollak build that relationship with Patrick and Ellie?
AMIAH MILLER: Oh my gosh, that was the easiest thing ever. They are all really special. Alina is the best too. You have truly become my little sister. I’ve always wanted one, and now I have one.
PA: A lot of Mario Kart.
EC: Lots of dinner parties.
AM: We played a lot of Mario Kart [laughs]. We spent a lot of time on the weekends. I feel like we had great chemistry as a family on set, and you can really see that on screen.
Elle, over the course of 3 episodes, Elle is punched by a stranger and her sister, and stung in her nether regions by a group of wasps! What scene was the most difficult to film?
EC: That punching scene in New York! I traveled to New York to film it. I was very nervous because this is my first TV show. There have been a lot of firsts for me [laughs]. I went from shooting in these huge mountains where it was quiet to being in the crazy hustle and bustle of New York City with all these people walking by. I remember it was very early in the day, and I had to do stunts. I was so nervous that I slipped on the floor and fell. So, when you see me falling on the show, it’s a real fall and they kept the cameras rolling.
Of course, as soon as the cameras cut off, the paramedic immediately ran over to check on me. I was fine. I just adjusted my wrist, but immediately said: “Do we get it?” They said, “Yes, we did it. It looks great.” [Laughs] This scene was mentally and physically tough at the end, but I’m really happy with the way it turned out.
Last question. Obviously, Michelle Vivier is a huge force in this series. What makes her dream of that number 1 on the contact sheet?
PA: It’s very present to everyone. She is professional. I’ve gone through the scenario a million times. She knows everything. She knows what she will shoot tomorrow and the next day. She asks the questions beforehand, but then they emerge and move into the moment. We talk about doing this a lot in our work, but it’s really hard to do, especially when you have as much to do on the show as Michelle does. It is a real lesson for us.
AM: Michelle really radiates light and brings a depth to Stacey that anchors the entire show. Yes. It’s very special.
EC: She’s very nice.
BA: Yes, she wants everyone to succeed.
The first 3 episodes of Madison Now streaming on Paramount+