The acclaimed actress returns to television in The Madison, a new series created by Taylor Sheridan that explores love, loss and family in the aftermath of an unexpected tragedy. In an interview ahead of the premiere, Michelle Pfeiffer reflects on grief, motherhood, and returning to television after decades away from episodic storytelling. Outside the series, Pfeiffer has also expressed admiration for Spanish culture and cuisine, and has said she would like to return to Spain in the near future.
Q: The Madison explores living in the present and valuing love. What anchors you in your own life?
Michelle Pfeiffer: My husband, David, and my children. Since becoming a mother, I’ve found a real balance. Acting can be very introspective, you’re constantly analyzing yourself. Having a family pulls you out of that. It gives life a different kind of meaning.
Q: You mention the “narcissism” that can come with acting. What did you mean?
Pfeiffer: It’s just part of the job. You’re constantly looking at yourself on screen, thinking about how you’re perceived. You have to be self-reflective to do the work, but that can go too far sometimes. Family helps ground that.
Q: Your character Stacy reprocesses her marriage after a sudden loss. How did you approach her emotional state?
Pfeiffer: It’s both regret and discovery. We’re meeting her in the first days after an unimaginable tragedy, and she’s learning that the man she loved had a whole life she didn’t know about. There’s grief, but also curiosity. And an overwhelming need to hold on to him.
Q: The series unfolds over just one week. What was that experience like to film?
Pfeiffer: Exhausting. I was a bit envious of the cast because they could socialize, while I stayed in this emotional space. But I had to make a conscious effort to leave it at the end of the day. That intensity became part of the discipline.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the shoot?
Pfeiffer: Honestly, everything was challenging. But the toughest moments were the outdoor scenes in extreme weather—wind, equipment falling over, chaos everywhere. It adds stress when you’re trying to do deeply emotional work.
Q: What struck you when you first read the script?
Pfeiffer: I remember thinking, “How am I going to do this?” It’s incredibly emotional and physically demanding. But also very moving. At its core, it’s a love story, one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime kinds of love.
Q: What does the series say about grief?
Pfeiffer: That it’s universal, but no two people experience it the same way. Some people shut down, others fall apart. And sometimes you don’t realize how many forms of loss people carry, death, job loss, even losing a home. It all matters. Unfortunately, by the time you reach a certain age, you’ve experienced loss. You don’t have to search far for emotional truth. What surprised me is how many people connect to it, especially men, who often don’t talk about grief openly.
Q: Do you speak Spanish?
Pfeiffer: No, but I would love to speak. I would love to visit Spain soon. I love the gastronomy of the country. I’ve been visiting a few times.
Q: Have you read any Spanish authors?
Pfeiffer: I can’t remember any name right now, but I do recommend reading as it is one of my favorite things to do.
Q: Are you more a woman of a big city like Madrid or a rural place?
Pfeiffer: I do like both, everything gives you something special. As long as I have a good bathroom and coffee I can manage.
Q: You returned to television after many years. Why now?
Pfeiffer: I’ve been impressed by the quality of television lately. I also really wanted to work with Taylor Sheridan. When I met him, I felt I understood this character immediately. It felt right.
Q: What drew you to working within the “Taylor Sheridan universe”?
Pfeiffer: The writing, the cast, and the sense of trust. I didn’t know many of the actors before filming, but we quickly became very close. I’m grateful to be part of it.
Q: You reunited with Kurt Russell after decades. What was that like?
Pfeiffer: He hasn’t changed at all. He’s still warm, funny, and incredibly supportive. Working with him again felt very natural.
Q: What do you hope viewers take away from the series?
Pfeiffer: That grief is something we all share in different forms. And that even in the most painful moments, people try to hold on to love.
By María Estévez
Correspondent writer
Correspondent writer
