The Madison Family Tree: A Guide to the Clyburn Family
Taylor Sheridan’s latest venture into the rugged heart of Montana, The Madison, introduces a family dynamic quite different from the land-warfare of the Duttons. While Yellowstone focuses on protecting a legacy, The Madison is a “heartfelt study of grief,” following the wealthy Clyburn family as they navigate the aftermath of a devastating tragedy.
With three episodes now streaming on Paramount+, here is your definitive guide to the Clyburn family tree and the New Yorkers struggling to survive the “Big Sky” lifestyle.
The Matriarch & Patriarch
Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer)
The “city mouse” at the center of the storm. Stacy is a formidable New York socialite who has spent 46 years in an idealized marriage with Preston. Despite his love for Montana, she avoided the state for decades, citing a preference for indoor plumbing and Fifth Avenue shopping. After the sudden death of her husband, Stacy makes the radical decision to sell her Manhattan penthouse and move the family to their Montana cabin permanently—a move she sees as a way to stay connected to Preston’s memory.
Preston Clyburn (Kurt Russell)
The heart of the family whose presence is felt largely through flashbacks and journals. A successful New York businessman, Preston’s true passion was fly-fishing in the Madison River Valley. His death in a tragic plane crash while scouting “virgin” fishing grounds with his brother serves as the series’ inciting incident. His final word, “Stacy,” underscores the deep bond that defined the family’s structure.
The Next Generation
Abigail “Abby” Reese (Beau Garrett)
The eldest Clyburn daughter and a recently divorced mother of two. Abby is described as a “sardonic New Yorker” who is emotionally strained by both her failed marriage and the loss of her father. Her relationship with Stacy is often contentious, as both women share a fierce, protective streak that leads to frequent clashes.
Paige McIntosh (Elle Chapman)
The younger daughter, Paige, is a self-centered New Yorker whose worldview is shattered early in the series after a traumatic mugging on Fifth Avenue. Married to Russell, she is portrayed as “sweet but ditzy,” finding the transition from luxury shopping to rural Montana particularly grueling. Her character represents the “bleeding-heart liberalism” and lack of hardiness that Sheridan’s scripts often poke fun at.
Russell McIntosh (Patrick J. Adams)
Stacy and Preston’s son-in-law and Paige’s husband. An investment banker who has followed a strictly curated life path, Russell is the most congenial of the New York transplants. Though he is a “fish out of water,” he serves as a bridge between the high-maintenance Clyburn women and the practical realities of their new environment.
The Grandchildren
Bridgette Reese (Amiah Miller)
Abigail’s 15-year-old daughter. Smart and confident, Bridgette is a true product of Manhattan. While she struggles with the lack of connectivity and “civilization” in Montana, she is the first of the younger generation to show an interest in the local culture—specifically horseback riding.
Macy Reese (Alaina Pollack)
The youngest member of the clan at 11 years old. Macy represents the innocence caught in the crossfire of the family’s grief. Along with her sister, she is frequently the target of Stacy’s “no-nonsense” lectures regarding their attachment to cell phones and picky diets.
Extended Family & Key Connections
Paul Clyburn (Matthew Fox)
Preston’s younger brother and a self-reliant bachelor who lived full-time in Montana. Paul was a licensed pilot who died alongside Preston in the plane crash. His ranch serves as the primary setting for the series, and his “reclusive” lifestyle stands in stark contrast to the opulence the Clyburns left behind in New York.
Van Davis (Ben Schnetzer)
A local Montana rancher and sheriff’s deputy who has suffered his own tragedy. As the series progresses, Van becomes a primary point of contact for the family, developing a budding (and complicated) connection with Abigail.
Cade Harris (Kevin Zegers)
The Clyburns’ neighbor in the Madison Valley. Cade is tasked with looking after the property and introduces the family to the “plain-talking” values of the West—often leading to culture shocks, such as the infamous “Indian taco” dinner that resulted in Stacy calling her family “spoiled little bitches.”
The final three episodes of The Madison Season 1 will premiere next Saturday, March 21, on Paramount+.
