The Madison Pays Tribute to Late Actor Robert Redford

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The first episode of the new Paramount+ drama series "The Madison" pays tribute to the late actor and director Robert Redford, who died in 2025 at the age of 89. The episode features the Clyburn family watching Redford's 1992 film "A River Runs Through It" as they grapple with a family tragedy, highlighting Redford's impact on Western films and the movie industry.

Why it matters

Robert Redford was once attached to Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" universe, with Sheridan initially pitching the series to HBO with Redford in the lead role of John Dutton. While HBO ultimately passed, the tribute in "The Madison" serves as a powerful way to honor Redford's legacy and his influence on the Western genre that Sheridan's shows have become known for.

The details

In the first episode of "The Madison", the Clyburn family travels from Manhattan to Montana after the sudden deaths of brothers Preston and Paul in a plane crash. As they come together in a hotel room, the family watches "A River Runs Through It", Preston's favorite film directed by Redford. The episode highlights the similar themes of brothers bonding over fly-fishing in the Montana wilderness, which was central to both "A River Runs Through It" and the new series "The Madison".

• The first three episodes of 'The Madison' are streaming now on Paramount+.
• Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025 at the age of 89.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Madison will continue to stream new episodes weekly on Paramount+, with future episodes likely to feature more tributes and references to Robert Redford's influential career.