Paramount+’s Upcoming Western Is Taylor Sheridan’s Next Big Test

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I’m a huge fan of Taylor Sheridan, and I’m so curious to see if he can keep his incredible streak going with his new show, The Madison. It’s amazing to think he switched from acting to writing and then instantly blew everyone away with a script like Sicario back in 2015. He really hit the ground running!

He received an Oscar nomination for writing the screenplay for Hell or High Water (2016) and directed his first film, Wind River (2017). However, it was his work on the television series Yellowstone, created with John Linson, that truly made him widely known.

First hitting screens in 2018, Yellowstone is a dramatic and often violent story about the Dutton family, who fiercely protect their massive Montana ranch by any means necessary. While Yellowstone became incredibly popular and led to several spin-off shows, the creator’s new Western, The Madison, is a completely new venture and faces a bigger challenge to succeed.

The Madison Is A Taylor Sheridan Western, But It’s Not Connected To Yellowstone

I was initially expecting The Madison to tie into the world of Yellowstone, but it turns out this new Taylor Sheridan series is its own thing – a completely standalone story. That said, if you’re a fan of Yellowstone and its Western vibe, you’ll likely enjoy this too, as The Madison is also set in Montana.

I just finished watching The Madison, and it’s a fascinating story. Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a compelling performance as Stacy Clyburn, a woman who moves from the bustling streets of New York to the quiet landscapes of Montana after experiencing a significant loss. The supporting cast is really strong too – you’ll recognize Patrick J. Adams from Suits and Matthew Fox from Lost. Elle Chapman, Beau Garrett, Amiah Miller, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers, Rebecca Spence, Alaina Pollack, Danielle Vasinova, and the always-great Kurt Russell, who plays Stacy’s husband Preston, all contribute to a really solid ensemble.

Described as a touching exploration of loss and relationships, The Madison follows a New York City family as they settle in the Madison River Valley in central Montana. It’s a more subdued show than Taylor Sheridan’s typical work, especially when compared to the intense drama of Yellowstone. While it could be Sheridan’s best Western yet, this gentler story might be harder to promote to audiences.

The Madison Will Determine How Popular Taylor Sheridan’s Western Empire Is Without The Duttons

Taylor Sheridan has become a successful television creator, extending his reach beyond Westerns with popular shows like Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and Lioness. He’s demonstrated he’s not just known for one Western hit, as his series Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton, is also a big success. With its season 2 finale airing on January 18th, Landman has already been picked up for a third season.

Look, just because Yellowstone was a massive success doesn’t automatically mean its new sister show, The Madison, will be too. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble. The Madison seems to be leaning away from the intense, violent drama of its predecessor, which could be a problem. And I worry that viewers who were only interested in the Dutton family saga might not bother tuning in to a show that feels disconnected from that original story. It’s a risk, and it remains to be seen if it’ll pay off.

If The Madison doesn’t perform well, it could damage Taylor Sheridan’s reputation in the Western TV genre. But if it’s a success, alongside Yellowstone and Landman, he’ll have created three hugely popular Western franchises, solidifying his position as a major force in television. Viewers won’t have to wait long to find out, as The Madison begins streaming on Paramount+ on March 14th.

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2026-01-17 20:10