Michelle Pfeiffer Discusses The Madison and Collaborating with Husband David E. Kelley
Michelle Pfeiffer is having an unusually busy Emmy season, with three different projects on three streaming platforms all eligible in separate acting categories. Her Paramount+ drama “The Madison,” Apple TV’s comedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” and Prime Video holiday movie “Oh. What. Fun” have put her in the rare position of competing across drama, comedy and limited series or TV movie fields at the same time.
Pfeiffer said the overlap happened by chance rather than design. She first entered talks with Taylor Sheridan about “The Madison,” a family drama about a New York socialite who relocates to her late husband’s Montana cabin after his death. Around the same time, she read Rufi Thorpe’s novel “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” a book her husband, producer David E. Kelley, had given her. She loved the character of Shyanne and agreed to take the role, expecting it to be minor because the character appears only briefly in the book.
The timing became more complicated when she later found herself deep in negotiations for “The Madison” and then had to explain to her representatives that she had already agreed to do another show. In the end, both projects moved forward, giving Pfeiffer an unexpectedly crowded season. She also said that “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” was a rare collaboration with Kelley, since the couple has usually kept work and marriage separate over their 32 years together. She said she was especially drawn to the script, the role and the chance to work with Elle Fanning.
Pfeiffer described filming “The Madison” as physically demanding but deeply rewarding. Her character, Stacy Clyburn, experiences a major culture shock in Montana, and Pfeiffer said she felt something similar when she arrived on set. The rugged environment was more intense than she expected, and she joked that she gathered her hair and makeup team to tell them they were “camping” and would have to look after one another. Despite the challenges, she said she fell in love with Montana’s beauty, including the sunrises, sunsets and the close-knit cast and crew.
In the interview, Pfeiffer also reflected on her slower move into television after years of mostly avoiding it. She said she had long admired the work being done on TV, especially by actresses, and finally decided it was time to jump in. Now, thanks to these projects, she has become one of the most visible stars of the season.
She also looked back on her earliest mention in Variety in 1979, when she was listed in ABC’s “Delta House” as “The Bombshell,” and recalled being nervous on one of her first jobs. She joked that she was simply figuring things out as she went. Pfeiffer also spoke fondly about “Grease 2,” saying it was a major break and remains a favorite among fans of a certain generation.
The conversation included a brief questionnaire, where Pfeiffer shared personal favorites and quirks, including her nickname “Shelly,” a love of chocolate ice cream, a fondness for building things, and eye drops as the one item she could not live without.
