The Madison Emmys entries: Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell

Paramount+ is banking on some ‘The Madison’ Emmy love.

After its first season, the Taylor Sheridan-created neo-Western will be submitted in 20 Emmy categories through 27 total bids, Variety only learned.

The freshman drama, which focuses on the Clyburn family who move from New York City to Montana’s Madison River Valley after a life-changing tragedy, will compete in the outstanding drama series category. The streamer had already renewed the show for seasons 2 and 3, ahead of the series and second season premieres, respectively.

Legendary powerhouse Michelle Pfeiffer, who anchors the series as Clyburn matriarch Stacy, is the sole lead. The 67-year-old star, nominated for an Emmy for the 2017 television film “The Wizard of Lies” in supporting role (limited/movie), is having one of the most important years in television. That includes additional Emmy bids for Apple TV’s comedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” for which she will compete in supporting comedy actress, and the Prime Video film “Oh.” What. Fun.’ Long beloved in Hollywood, Pfeiffer also has three Oscar nominations for “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), “The Fabulous Baker Boys” (1989) and “Love Field” (1992).

Kurt Russell, who plays Preston Clyburn – the husband of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Stacy – dies in a plane crash in the pilot, but appears in all six episodes. He is one of the many entries in support of drama actor. Russell, a one-time Emmy nominee for Lead Actor (Limited/Movie) for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 television movie “Elvis,” could earn his second nomination 47 years later. If recognized, this would mark the longest gap between an artist’s first and second Emmy acting nominations, surpassing Mary Kay Place’s 33-year span between her 1977 win for “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” (at the time called “Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series”) and her 2010 nomination for “Big Love” in Guest Drama Actress.

In terms of the longest period between an artist’s first and most recent nominations, Russell would rank fourth, alongside Henry Winkler (“Happy Days” to “Barry”) and Michael Douglas (“The Streets of San Francisco” to “The Kominsky Method”). In front of them are Carol Burnett (age 62, from “The Garry Moore Show” to “Palm Royale”), Betty White (age 60, from her first nomination in 1951 to “Hot in Cleveland”) and Diana Rigg (age 51, from “The Avengers” to “Game of Thrones”).

Russell will be one of five supporting drama actor entries, which also include Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh, Ben Schnetzer as Madison River Valley Sheriff Van Davis, Kevin Zegers as Clyburn neighbor Cade Harris and Matthew Fox as Preston’s brother, Paul Clyburn. The supporting drama actress gets six with Beau Garrett as older Clyburn daughter Abigail Reese, Elle Chapman as youngest daughter Paige McIntosh, Amiah Miller as Bridgette Reese, Alaina Pollack as Macy Reese, Rebecca Spence as Stacy’s friend Liliana Weeks and Danielle Vasinova as Kestrel Harris.

Will Arnett will compete for guest drama actor for his turn as Phil Yorn in the season finale, episode 106, “I Give Me Permission” – the same episode Sheridan submitted for outstanding writing for a drama. Sheridan also has the second season of “Landman” vying for Emmy attention. Although the rules allow him to participate in multiple programs, he will not submit written representation for the series this cycle.

Sheridan’s selection for the season finale is interesting, considering that many new freshman series have shown nomination success with the release of their pilot/first episode (season 1), evidenced by “Bad Sisters” (“The Prick” by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel and Brett Baer) and last year’s “The Pitt” (“7:00 AM” by R. Scott Gemmill). The last time a Season 1 finale was submitted and won was “Succession” in 2019. In terms of nominations, that was “Squid Game” in 2022.

Christina Alexandra Voros will serve dual roles in the campaign, entering for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Cinematography (One Hour), both for Episode 102, “Let the Land Hold Me.” Last year, Jessica Lee Gagné made history as the first woman to earn double nominations in those same two categories, taking home the cinematography award. Will Voros follow in her footsteps?

On the craft side, Paramount+ submits in 13 below-the-line categories. All official episode submissions will be announced at a later date.

Emmy submissions are due May 7, while nomination round voting runs from June 11 to June 22. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on July 8.

The full list of Emmy submissions can be found below.