Michelle Pfeiffer's Co-Star Admits Being 'Terrified' of Hollywood Icon
Michelle Pfeiffer, the legendary actress known for iconic roles in films like Batman Returns and The Age of Innocence, has unintentionally intimidated one of her co-stars on her latest project. Patrick J. Adams, who plays Russell in the new neo-western family drama The Madison, confessed to feeling starstruck and nervous while working alongside the Hollywood veteran.
A Daunting Presence on Set
Adams openly admitted to Metro that meeting Pfeiffer was "sort of terrifying." He elaborated, "I'm still scared of Michelle. She's the most lovely human being in the world, but I get starstruck by people. I love acting. I've spent my whole life doing it. So, I admire these artists who have given some of the most iconic performances in the world."
He revealed his daily struggle, stating, "Every single day I worked with Michelle Pfeiffer, I had to talk myself off the ledge. She hates it. She just wants to be an actor. She's so down to earth, and she just wants to play the scene." In an attempt to ease his nerves, Adams tried watching Pfeiffer's films, which he later called a "terrible mistake" as it only heightened his awareness of her legendary status.
Pfeiffer's Unawareness and Maternal Nature
Interestingly, Pfeiffer had no idea about the effect she was having on Adams. When asked if she was aware, she responded, "Oh, you know, no, I didn't. Oh, Patrick. I love Patrick so much, and he's so talented, so good." Despite his initial nerves, Adams expressed immense admiration for Pfeiffer, highlighting her maternal side on set. "She makes sure everybody's taken care of," he said. "She makes sure that everybody's happy, that everybody feels heard and seen, and that we all have a stake in this [show]."
Universal Praise from the Cast
Adams wasn't the only cast member to praise Pfeiffer. Beau Garrett, who plays Abigail, Stacy's older daughter, also described Pfeiffer as "a little scary" but admitted she "adores" her. Garrett explained, "She makes you be a better actor and a better person. There's not one scene with her where, if I didn't just take a moment and listen. She carries so much grace and professionalism, kindness and generosity and her craft and who she is as a human. We just immediately bonded."
The Madison: A Personal Project for Pfeiffer
Created by Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan, The Madison stars Pfeiffer as Stacy, the matriarch of the Clyburn family, who relocates to Montana's Madison River valley after a tragedy. Kurt Russell plays her husband, Preston. Pfeiffer revealed that the themes of family and trauma deeply resonated with her, drawing her to the project. "I think it's about a lot of the things that really matter most to people when you drop all of the kind of BS that we think is important," she said.
She connected the show's narrative to broader societal experiences, noting, "In America, because of what we've been through, it's really shifted people's perspective, because trauma does that. So sometimes it's a death in the family, sometimes it's something traumatic in your country. Sometimes it's like the Palisades fires or Covid, you know?"
Cast Insights on the Show's Unique Appeal
Kurt Russell shared his perspective, describing the show as "sort of Taylor Sheridan's female gaze," exploring femininity through a rugged lens. "It's something I haven't seen for a very, very long time, especially in television," he said. "It's modern, and I think it's really adult in that way, and it's relatable for a lot of people."
Beau Garrett added that The Madison differs from Sheridan's previous work, calling it "a much quieter show, not in a bad way, in a way that kind of makes you sit and think. It's also quite funny." Matthew Fox, who plays Kurt's brother Paul, was drawn by Sheridan's scripts and the opportunity to work with Russell again, praising the "really beautiful and really moving" writing.
Premiere Details
The Madison premieres globally on Saturday, March 14th, with three episodes available exclusively on Paramount Plus. Despite a mixed review noting it "failed to engage" some viewers, the cast's overwhelming admiration for Pfeiffer suggests her powerful performance may be the key draw for audiences. With its stellar cast and Sheridan's signature storytelling, the show promises to deliver a compelling blend of family drama and neo-western intrigue.
