Michelle Pfeiffer may be starring in one of television’s hottest shows, but filming “The Madison” was anything but glamorous. The Hollywood icon recently opened up about the harsh realities of filming Taylor Sheridan’s new Paramount+ series in rural Montana, revealing there were no traditional trailers, no plumbing, and in some cases, no toilets at all.
Michelle Pfeiffer says filming in Montana meant no bathrooms
During an appearance on the Los Angeles Times podcast “In Conversation: ‘The Madison,'” Pfeiffer reflected on the harsh conditions while filming the series. The actress explained that although the scenery was beautiful, basic comforts were hard to come by. “Might as well be in a tent because, you know, there’s no toilet,” Pfeiffer said. “Even the outhouse isn’t real. So there’s no air conditioning, no plumbing, there’s nothing. But it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
Since the production was filmed in remote locations, the actors often had to improvise, including going to the bathroom outside. Additionally, conditions varied seasonally, with scorching heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the colder months.
Pfeiffer says ‘The Madison’ set had few amenities
The actress also revealed that the production setup left the actors without many of the comforts that Hollywood stars are typically accustomed to between takes. As the show was filmed in 360 degrees, caravans could not be placed in close proximity without appearing on camera.
“It took a long time [to get used to] because they built this cabin. It all happened a little too quickly for everyone and so there were no specific accommodations,” Pfeiffer explained. “We didn’t really have caravans there because they rotated 360°. [degrees]. So they couldn’t have a bunch of trailers nearby.
According to Pfeiffer, the setting initially lacked seating, nearby restrooms and even food. “We really didn’t have any place to sit,” she said. “There were no toilets nearby. There was no food. And in the winter it was cold. We were wondering, ‘Could we have heating?’
She added: “And in the summer it was like, ‘Could I have an umbrella because the sun is really intense?’ » It took us about halfway through to figure all this out.
Michelle Pfeiffer initially had tension with Taylor Sheridan
Pfeiffer also recently revealed that signing on “The Madison” required a leap of faith, which initially created some tension between her and creator Taylor Sheridan. The actress said Sheridan approached her about the project before a script had even been written.
After visiting Sheridan at his Texas ranch and hearing about the concept of the series and his character arc, Pfeiffer wanted to read some material before committing. “I said, ‘Okay, when can I read something?'” Pfeiffer recalled, but Sheridan’s response surprised her. “He said, ‘Well, I’d like to know who I’m writing for before I start writing. So after you get involved.'”
Unsure of the unusual process, Pfeiffer turned to a reliable source for reassurance: her friend Helen Mirren, who had previously worked with Sheridan on “1923.” After Mirren gave Sheridan rave reviews, Pfeiffer agreed to join “The Madison” without ever seeing a script.
Pfeiffer says the heartbreak in ‘The Madison’ felt deeply familiar to him
In “The Madison,” Pfeiffer plays Stacy Clyburn, a wealthy New Yorker forced to deal with her grief after suddenly losing her husband, played by Kurt Russellwhile adjusting to life in rural Montana. The moving storyline struck a chord with Pfeiffer, who admitted to experiencing profound loss in his own life.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the actress reflected on how grief can reshape a person’s perspective in unexpected ways. “For a brief period of time, all that really matters is connection with other human beings,” she said.
Michelle Pfeiffer speaks candidly about grieving after a personal loss
Pfeiffer went on to explain that losing someone significant taught him difficult lessons about identity and healing. “When you grow up with someone and you’re so entangled with each other, after a while you don’t even really know where you end and the other person begins,” she explained. “How can you even begin to imagine your life without them and rebuild it when everything you knew has collapsed?
Despite the difficult filming conditions, Pfeiffer’s leap of faith appears to have paid off. “The Madison” has already finished filming season two, while Paramount+ renewed the series at the start of season three. However, the official premiere date for season two has not yet been announced.