Michelle Pfeiffer, 68, reveals very harsh conditions while filming The Madison after initial tension with Taylor Sheridan

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Michelle Pfeiffer faced some tough conditions while filming Taylor Sheridan’s “The Madison” in Montana and Texas.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times’ podcast, ‘In Conversation: The Madison,’ 68-year-old Hollywood legend Harrison Ford revealed that the filming process lacked any typical comforts or conveniences.

Surprisingly, one of the biggest challenges while filming the show – about a New York woman whose husband, portrayed by Kurt Russell, unexpectedly passes away – wasn’t the remote location, but the unreliable plumbing.

The award-winning actress explained that there wasn’t a bathroom available, and even the outhouse shown on screen was just a prop. This meant the actors had to relieve themselves in the surrounding bushes.

Michelle Pfeiffer described filming in Montana as feeling like being in a tent, because there were no bathroom facilities – not even a working outhouse. There was no air conditioning or plumbing of any kind, but despite the lack of amenities, she found the scenery absolutely stunning.

This happened after Pfeiffer revealed she initially had some friction with Yellowstone’s creator, Sheridan, because he asked her to join the show before she’d had a chance to read the script.

The temperature was a constant problem – either scorching hot, forcing Pfeiffer to create her own shade with an umbrella, or freezing cold, requiring coats and space heaters to stay warm.

Movie stars usually relax in trailers between takes, but this show didn’t allow for that. Because it was filmed in 360 degrees, there was no place to hide from the cameras.

Pfeiffer portrays Stacy Clyburn in the Paramount+ series. Her character attempts to hold her family together while they adjust to a simpler life in rural Montana, after previously enjoying a luxurious lifestyle in New York City.

The characters spend much of the show complaining about the lack of amenities. 

She explained that it took some time to adjust after the cabin was built. Everything felt a bit hurried, and they hadn’t quite finished setting up all the necessary things.

Since the filming used a 360-degree camera, they couldn’t place trailers around the set – it would have been visible in the shots.

She explained that they had nowhere comfortable to sit, no access to a restroom, and no food. It was also very cold in the winter, and they even had to ask if they could get a heater.

During the summer, we realized we needed umbrellas to protect ourselves from the strong sun. It took us about half the season to figure that out.

Michelle Pfeiffer recently shared that she signed on to appear in ‘The Madison’ without ever seeing a script for the series.

The actress decided to take a chance and join the show, trusting the creator’s track record with hits like Yellowstone and Tulsa King.

Michelle told Variety: ‘Taylor reached out to me and said he had an idea and would like to meet me.

I’m heading to Texas now! I recently visited his ranch and had a fantastic time getting to know everyone. He really walked me through the character’s journey and the whole idea behind the show – it was all pretty clearly mapped out, which was great.

I asked if I could see what he’d written. He replied that he preferred to understand who the piece was intended for first, and would start writing once I had committed to it.

The last three episodes of season one became available on March 21st, and the show was quickly picked up for another season soon after.

This comes after Pfeiffer has learned many valuable lessons through losing people in her life.

As someone who’s spent a lot of time thinking about well-being, I can tell you loss is a universal experience. I’ve learned from speaking with people – and experiencing it myself – that losing someone you care about deeply can happen more than once in a lifetime. And honestly, those experiences, as painful as they are, really do teach you some incredibly valuable life lessons. It shapes how you appreciate the present and cherish your relationships.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor shared that, ultimately, what’s most important is simply connecting with other people.

I’ve experienced this feeling a few times after losing someone I cared about. I remember desperately wanting to keep hold of the good memories, because it felt so genuine, comforting, and safe.

It was surprisingly calming, because I wasn’t focused on forcing things to work out. I simply let go of all that effort.

Pfeiffer also admits that it can be hard to think clearly in the midst of heartbreak.

The actress, who was married to Peter Horton from 1981 to 1988, explained that when you spend a long time with someone and become deeply connected, it can be hard to maintain your own identity. You start to lose track of where you end and the other person begins.

It’s hard to picture life after losing someone and even harder to begin putting the pieces back together when your world has been turned upside down.

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2026-05-20 17:34