The upcoming series “The Madison” marks a bold new chapter in the Yellowstone universe, introducing an entirely new cast and storyline set against the rugged Montana landscape. Unlike previous Yellowstone shows that centered on the Dutton family and its legacy, this series shifts focus to a modern-day family—The Macintosh—who leave their sophisticated New York lives behind to settle in Montana’s scenic Madison River Valley. The show aims to explore new, complex family dynamics, emotional secrets, and a rugged way of life, promising a fresh perspective on the Yellowstone story universe.

At the heart of the series is Michelle Pfeiffer playing Stacy Klyburn, the strong and emotional matriarch trying to hold her fractured family together after the death of the family’s patriarch. Alongside her are her daughter Abigail (Bo Garrett), who is navigating life as a recently divorced mother raising her daughter Bridget. Also present are Paige (El Chapman), her husband Russell (Patrick J. Adams), and Paul (Matthew Fox), a rugged, self-reliant bachelor connected to nature, carrying an emotional depth that could add significant intrigue. The cast’s stellar lineup hints at intricate family relationships, secrets, and conflicts that will drive the narrative.

One of the most striking aspects of “The Madison” is its positioning outside the traditional Dutton universe. None of the characters share the last name “Dutton,” which raises questions about how or if they are connected to the Yellowstone franchise. The show’s director, Christina Alexandra Voros, hinted that “The Madison” is told through a different lens yet set within Montana, suggesting it’s a part of the Yellowstone universe but perhaps on its own distinct path. This has fueled speculation of a broader expanded universe where multiple stories and families coexist in the same geographic area, possibly interconnected through subtle links.

Interestingly, clues from the previous Yellowstone series, especially “1923,” provide some context. Elizabeth Dutton, pregnant at the end of “1923,” decided to leave Montana and return to Boston. Rumors suggest her unborn child may have a direct genetic or ancestral link to the Macintosh family, positioning “The Madison” as a story that further explores Elizabeth’s lineage and its evolution into the modern-day family now residing in Montana. It hints at a lineage expansion, where the Macintoshes are essentially the next generation or branch of the Dutton family tree, set to unfold through extensive flashbacks and storylines unfolding across different timelines.

Thematically, “The Madison” promises to delve into modern family struggles, secrets, and the clash between urban sophistication and rugged independence. The show creators initially considered making it a Dutton-focused series under a different working title, “2024,” but decided to craft a completely new family, creating a different legacy that still ties into the mythos of Montana and the Yellowstone universe. This decision marks a significant creative risk but also a bold narrative expansion.

Filming commenced in September 2024, primarily in Montana, with additional scenes shot in Texas, indicating a substantial investment in high-quality production. The series is currently in post-production, with an expected premiere in early 2026, although fans are hoping for a late 2025 release depending on how quickly the editing and finishing touches are completed.

Overall, “The Madison” aims to bring fresh characters and stories while subtly expanding the Yellowstone universe. The series is expected to intertwine modern family melodramas with the Western genre’s traditional elements, all set against the Montana wilderness. Its connection to the broader franchise is hinted to involve Elizabeth’s story and the possible inheritance of the family legacy through her unborn child, potentially linking the new family to the Dutton lineage in ways fans have speculated about for years.

This series promises a new narrative direction that complements the existing Yellowstone saga, providing fans with a richer, more diverse universe to explore. If successful, it could redefine what Yellowstone means for the Western drama genre—moving beyond the Dutton family to embrace a sprawling, interconnected web of stories that speak to the changing nature of family, legacy, and identity in the American West.