Why ‘The Madison’ Is Dedicated to Robert Redford — His ‘Yellowstone’ Connection Explained
The first episode of The Madison is dedicated to the late Robert Redford. While there’s a reference to one of his films in the first episode, that’s not the only reason the actor/director was honored by the Taylor Sheridan drama in its end credits. Redford has personal ties to Yellowstone and, according to The Madison‘s director, his cinematic influence bleeds throughout the series. Warning: The Madison spoilers ahead!
The Madison is a profound love story channeled through a deeply personal family drama about resilience and transformation. It unfolds across two distinct worlds — the beautiful landscape of Montana and the vibrant energy of Manhattan — as it examines the ties that bind families together after an unexpected tragedy. The series stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell as the central couple, Stacy and Preston Clyburn, whose love story is the foundational center for their entire New York City-based family. The first three of six episodes came out on March 14 on Paramount+, with the last three to follow on March 21.
There’s a reference to Redford’s A River Runs Through It in Season 1 of The Madison. But his influence on the series — and Sheridan’s work at large — goes beyond just that.
Why is The Madison dedicated to Robert Redford?
There’s a dedication to Redford in the end credits of Episode 1. Redford died on September 16, 2025. The late star didn’t work on the series, but Redford’s westerns, both the ones he starred in and directed, were hugely influential to Sheridan and his western TV shows. In fact, Redford was originally going to play John Dutton in Yellowstone.
Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that, when he was first trying to get Yellowstone made, he had a face-to-face meeting with Redford to try to convince him to be in the show. He was originally pitching the series to HBO.
“They said, ‘We want Robert Redford,'” Sheridan told THR. “They said, ‘If you can get us Robert Redford, we’ll greenlight the pilot.'” Sheridan hit the ground running.
“I drive to Sundance [the film festival Redford founded] and spend the day with him, and he agrees to play John Dutton,” Sheridan said. “I call the senior vice president in charge of production and say, ‘I got him!’ ‘You got who?’ ‘Robert Redford.’ ‘What?!‘ ‘You said if I got Robert Redford, you’d greenlight the show.'”
“And he says — and you can’t make this shit up — ‘We meant a Robert Redford type,'” Sherdian added.
Paramount eventually greenlit Yellowstone, with Kevin Costner in the lead role. That was the end of Redford’s ties to Sheridan’s hit drama, but his influence remained.
Redford directed A River Runs Through It. The Clyburns watch the Brad Pitt-led film in their hotel room when they get to Montana following the tragic deaths of Preston (Russell) and Paul Clyburn (Matthew Fox), because it was Preston’s favorite movie (it’s also set in Montana). The brothers died in a plane crash as they tried to fly home before a bad storm hit the area where they were fishing. Paul was the pilot, and Preston was the only passenger.
At The Madison premiere in New York City on March 9, director/cinematographer Christina Alexandra Voros told TV Insider that the dedication was entirely Sheridan’s decision, but she fully endorses it.
“I can’t speak to the decision that was entirely Taylor’s. What I will say is, anyone who sees the show will understand why it is a love letter in many ways to a world that Redford certainly introduced to me,” Voros said. “His name as a tribute at the end of that episode feels like the absolutely appropriate move to make.”
Redford’s westerns set on sprawling American landscapes were a visual inspiration for all of Sheridan’s stories in the genre, but The Madison, in particular, is all about falling in love with the land when experiencing it for the first time — something that, as Voros said, Redford’s films did for her.
“Yellowstone is a story about people who have had a relationship to the land for generations, centuries, and Madison, for much of the cast, it is their understanding of a place for the first time, seeing that landscape with fresh eyes,” Voros said.
“There was a lot of thought that went into how the world and the river and the mountains look the first time you see it,” she continued, “and how that changes as their perspective changes, experiencing the place themselves.”
The Madison, Season 1 Part 2 (three episodes), Premieres Saturday, March 21, Paramount+
TV Guide Magazine’s Cowboys: From the Wild West to the New West Special Issue is available for order online now at Cowboys.TVGM2026.com, and for purchase on newsstands nationwide.
Conversation12 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
A
As soon as the first scene started, I immediately said out loud “Robert Redford”. I just knew by the scene that his spirit was there. I became totally captivated by “The Madison” and watched all 3 episodes back to back. It is 5:18am in the morning. I will be watching all 3 episodes again a few more times. I want to absorb it all. It was life changing. I loved it!❤️
-
S
The difference between this and Marshals is easily recognizable within the opening credits. Taylor Sheridans presence on any project propels it well above anything else in its timeslot. The writing and acting on this in comparison to Marshals is laughable.
-
A
This TV show feels like a movie. It feels very grand with sweeping views of the Montana landscape and the bustling, eratic feel in the New York scenes. I've only watched the first one so far but I am trying to ration them out a bit...HIGHLY recommend
-
H
Thank you for explaining this. I too, recalled the stunning vistas of a River Runs Through It and Legends of The Fall. Such a nice touch to dedicate The Madison to RR.
-
R
Love that the dedication was made to Robert Redford. He was such a steward of the land that he loved and the wildlife that he supported through NRDC. He gave so much that people will never even know about but I hope future generations will follow his lead and continue honoring the land and the people who want to protect it. We only have one planet...and it is rapidly being destroyed through greed and selfishness. Project 2025 is being implemented and the wild horses and wild burros on public land are being removed by the thousands every day and being sent to slaughter. It's horrifying how we are being diminished without a word from the media.
-
M
Madison is truly a love story. I lived out west and Montana is absolutely beautiful just as you see. It actually takes your breath away. ❤️
-
L
I love this series. My husband and I are both big fans of Robert Redford, and my husband was like...the first scene with Kirk Russell looks like the move when a river runs through it. Just Beautiful scenery. Breathe taking. Would love to visit there sometime.
Anyone who has lost a partner, friend, even family is going to be able to relate to this. Especially if it was the love of their life...I have many friends, that have experience this part of life. So overwhelming.
Michelle Pfeiffer is such an Awesome actress. And she does this roll perfectly. And Kirk Russell just Awesome Awesome actor.
So I say....Great job Taylor Sheridan, and to everyone involved in this series.
(Keep them coming) ❤️
-
F
I too watched all 3 .. can't wait for the next 3.. beautiful cinematography..love the story line.. and Kurt Russell and Michelle Phifer love story😩😩
-
M
Excellent
-
S
I'm loving The Madison whilst also chomping at the bit for season 3 of Landman. Taylor Sheridan has a way of writing 'the bigger picture' whilst not missing any of the subtle messages/nuances of life in it's many forms. He is prolific and so engaging. Thank you Mr Sheridan and Mr Papsidera for great casting!
-
D
Taylor Sheridan is an amazing story teller & genius at filmmaking. I don’t miss any of his shows. He’s a pretty good actor, as well!
-
D
Great more unwanted attention to Montana which will drive up housing costs so that the middle class can no longer afford to live there.
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services