Commentary: Michelle Pfeiffer redefines the role of grandma, with a full life and glamourous style

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It’s great to see Michelle Pfeiffer starring in two new shows, “The Madison” on Paramount+ and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” on Apple TV. Pfeiffer is a beloved actress, and she hasn’t been in many leading roles lately – partly because she prioritized family, and partly because Hollywood often overlooks stories for women over 40.

Michelle Pfeiffer is back and better than ever, and it’s thrilling to watch. It’s not just that fans have always loved her – she’s making a huge impact with her return to television, really shaking things up.

I’ve always been struck by how Michelle Pfeiffer completely reinvents the character of the grandmother in everything she does. It’s amazing because that role is usually so one-dimensional, almost a stereotype, and she brings such depth and nuance to it. She truly makes it her own.

Pfeiffer isn’t resurrecting anything; she’s revolutionizing it.

Television has a long history of featuring grandmothers, often used as a source of wisdom or comic relief. These characters come in many forms: some are sharp-tongued and perceptive, like Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley in “Downton Abbey” or Jenifer Lewis’ Ruby on “black-ish.” Others are bold and interfering, as seen with Doris Roberts’ Marie Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Still others are playful and surprising, like Rita Moreno’s Lydia on “One Day at a Time,” or even outright villainous, such as Nancy Marchand’s Livia on “The Sopranos.” And some grandmothers prove they’ve still got plenty of energy and zest for life, like Susan Sullivan’s Martha on “Castle” and Holland Taylor’s Evelyn on “Two and a Half Men.”

As this list demonstrates, grandmothers can be memorable and funny characters, often delivering the most memorable lines. However, they’re rarely portrayed as individuals outside of their family roles. While there are a few exceptions, like Bonnie from “Mom” and the characters played by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in “Grace and Frankie,” grandmothers are seldom the main characters in stories.

I’m really excited about Michelle Pfeiffer’s new film, “The Madison.” At 67, she’s absolutely carrying the movie, and it’s fascinating to see her play Stacy, a recent widow. She decides to move her whole family – including her two granddaughters – from New York City to Montana. It’s a journey to come to terms with the loss of her husband, Preston (played by Kurt Russell), and really get to know the man he was. It sounds like a beautiful, emotional story.

Michelle Pfeiffer plays Margo’s mother in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.” While technically a supporting role, her character, Shyanne, is well-developed and has her own compelling story.

“The Madison” and “Margo” are very different in style – one is a serious drama created by Taylor Sheridan, while the other is a lighthearted and touching story based on a novel. Similarly, the two main characters, Stacy and Shyanne, are quite different people.

Television

Featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Fanning, and Nick Offerman, this Apple TV series is based on Rufi Thorpe’s 2024 novel and tells the story of a family who love each other despite their problems. It was created by David E. Kelley.

Stacy’s carefully constructed, seemingly perfect life falls apart after a devastating loss, leaving her lost and unsure of how to cope. She unexpectedly finds solace in Montana, a place her husband adored, despite considering herself a city dweller. Even while grieving, the 61-year-old Stacy remains a strong leader for her family and has the means to navigate her new reality.

Shyanne is less concerned with responsibility than Stacy. While Stacy readily takes on the role of a leader and caregiver, Shyanne mostly avoids those duties throughout the first season of “Margo’s.”

Shyanne used to be a Hooters waitress and had a brief relationship with wrestler Jinx years ago, resulting in a daughter named Margo. Now in her 40s (and looking fantastic, thanks to Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance), Shyanne works at Bloomingdale’s and is trying to present a calmer version of herself to her boyfriend, Kenny, a kind pastor. She’s afraid of scaring him away by being too wild. When Margo gets pregnant, Shyanne is upset – she doesn’t want to become a grandmother, and she remembers how difficult it was raising Margo on her own with very little money.

Michelle Pfeiffer brilliantly portrays women of vastly different ages—at least a decade apart—and that’s commendable. But the real reason for a standing ovation is that she brings to screen complex female characters we seldom see represented at all.

Grandmothers with lives, inner and outer, of their very own. Imagine!

Pfeiffer isn’t alone in challenging the idea that older women with families should only exert influence behind the scenes. Like Kate Winslet in “Mare of Easttown” and Sarah Lancashire in “Happy Valley,” she portrays a character who is both a police officer and a grandmother, a part of her life that shapes her, but doesn’t limit her.

I’ve noticed how much impact certain TV characters have on trends! Unlike some others, Stacy from “The Madison’s” really brought glamour back – I immediately wanted to copy her messy updo and started hunting for those cool gold hair clips and big Barbour jackets. And Shyanne from “Margo’s”? Her style is just so fun and bold, I saw everyone trying to find similar fitted tops and faux fur pieces after she wore them!

Review

The families in ‘Margo’s’ and ‘Big Mistakes’ are loud and problematic, but easy to love

Dan Levy’s ‘Big Mistakes’ centers on a family caught up in a problematic scenario, and ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ tells a heartfelt story about the challenges of single motherhood and sex work.

Okay, let’s be real, most 67-year-old women aren’t going to look like Michelle Pfeiffer, and that’s totally fine! What I love is that she’s playing characters who feel like real women – women who have families, but also have their own lives and desires, including their sexuality. It’s not just about their kids and grandkids; they’re dealing with their own stuff, and it’s complex and fascinating to watch their lives continue to unfold. It feels so much more relatable and honest.

These grandmothers are full of life experience and offer valuable insights, but they aren’t passive observers. They don’t stay in the shadows waiting to offer advice, criticize, or dwell on the past. While Shyanne can be dramatic, she ultimately desires a stable life. Stacy spends time reflecting, but she’s focused on healing and building a future she wants for herself, not just remembering her children’s upbringing.

For years, television has offered better opportunities for actresses over 40, often overlooked by the film industry. This helped fuel the growth of quality TV in the early 2000s, as many established film actresses found more substantial and interesting roles on television. While both film and TV still largely focus on male characters, women who previously were limited to supporting roles like mothers or eccentric relatives are now frequently starring as dynamic leads – detectives, spies, lawyers, powerful executives, musicians, and more.

We can thank Michelle Pfeiffer for giving older women a more prominent role – bringing them out of the background and putting them in the spotlight as the complex, resilient, and still-developing individuals they are.

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2026-04-21 13:31