Matthew Fox returns to TV in 'The Madison' after stepping away from Hollywood

The 'Lost' star opens up about what drew him back to acting and the personal reasons behind his Hollywood hiatus.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:21pm

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After skyrocketing to fame on the hit TV series 'Lost', actor Matthew Fox stepped away from Hollywood for several years to focus on his family. Now, he's making a return to television with a starring role in the new drama 'The Madison' from 'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan. Fox explains what drew him to the project and the personal reasons behind his decision to take a break from acting at the height of his career.

Why it matters

Matthew Fox's return to television after a long hiatus is notable, as the 'Lost' star was one of the biggest names in Hollywood at the height of his fame. His decision to step away from the spotlight to prioritize his family provides insight into the personal sacrifices actors sometimes make, and his choice to come back for the right project shows how the industry and storytelling has evolved.

The details

Fox stars as Paul Clyburn in 'The Madison', a self-reliant outdoorsman and the brother-in-law of the show's central Clyburn family. Fox said the scripts and his conversations with creator Taylor Sheridan about the show's themes immediately piqued his interest. After years of being on set for major projects like 'Lost', Fox felt it was the right time to step back and engage more with his family, including his two children. Now, he says he's found a good balance between work and personal life, and is excited to return to storytelling through 'The Madison'.

  • Fox starred in the hit TV series 'Lost' from 2004 to 2010.
  • After 'Lost' wrapped, Fox largely stepped away from Hollywood for several years.
  • 'The Madison' marks Fox's return to television, premiering on Paramount+ on March 14, 2026.

The players

Matthew Fox

An American actor best known for his starring role in the TV series 'Lost'. After taking a break from Hollywood, he is now returning to television with a role in the new drama 'The Madison'.

Taylor Sheridan

An American actor, writer, director and producer, known for creating the hit TV series 'Yellowstone'. He is the creator of 'The Madison', the new drama series starring Matthew Fox.

Kurt Russell

An acclaimed American actor who stars in 'The Madison' alongside Matthew Fox.

Michelle Pfeiffer

A legendary American actress who also stars in 'The Madison'.

Beau Garrett

An American actress who appears in 'The Madison' and discusses the show's themes of reinvention and personal transformation.

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What they’re saying

“Just the material, you know. I had a couple of conversations with Taylor about the series and … the themes in it. And then we spoke specifically about Paul. Those conversations were great, and I was very intrigued.”

— Matthew Fox, Actor

“It wasn't until I really read the scripts that I was like, 'Oh, this is absolutely incredible.' He's an amazing writer. I'm a big fan of his work.”

— Matthew Fox, Actor

“I felt like it was time to engage really intensely with my family. I had missed some of their childhood because I was on set all the time with 'Lost' and doing films … promoting everything. It was the right moment for me to step back and take a moment … engage with the people that I love and care about the most in the world.”

— Matthew Fox, Actor

“I'm not newly a mom — she's three now — but that reinvented me. Meeting my husband and marrying him reinvented me. I think we're always reinventing ourselves and this show felt like the first time in a long time that I got to step back into my creativity after having a baby and that felt … incredibly terrifying and empowering.”

— Beau Garrett, Actress

“She shows up every moment. She's incredibly kind and gracious and also just really easy to talk to. We would sit in the green room and just chat … I was like, 'OK, this feels like someone I really admire … and respect, but a friend.'”

— Beau Garrett, Actress

What’s next

The Madison will premiere on Paramount+ on March 14, 2026, giving viewers a chance to see Matthew Fox's return to television after his Hollywood hiatus.

The takeaway

Matthew Fox's decision to step away from Hollywood at the height of his 'Lost' fame in order to focus on his family provides a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices actors sometimes make. His return to television with the new drama 'The Madison' shows how the industry and storytelling has evolved, and highlights the power of the right project to draw an actor back into the spotlight.