Michelle Pfeiffer, 68, has announced a significant shift in her career, stating a desire to step away from leading roles in movies and focus on television projects. The actress, known for iconic film roles in "Scarface," "Batman Returns," and "Dangerous Liaisons," expressed her preference for ensemble work in television.
Pfeiffer revealed her stance during the THR x Apple TV's Leading the Narrative: The Women of Apple TV event on Sunday. "I never want to star in another movie, I swear to God," she said. "I only want to do ensemble pieces. It's so much more fun, I love it so much."
She attributed this pivot to the high quality of current television productions and the compelling female performances being showcased. "I've just been so bowled over by the female performances on television and honestly, they’re just really owning TV," Pfeiffer noted.
This announcement follows the success of her recent television ventures, "The Madison" and "Margo's Got Money Troubles." The latter, in which she plays Elle Fanning's mother, earned Pfeiffer an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series. She also serves as an executive producer on both shows. "Margo's Got Money Troubles," created by David E. Kelley and based on Rufi Thorpe's novel, follows a young single mother who creates an OnlyFans account to support her family. Pfeiffer praised the complex, flawed characters in the series, drawing a parallel to a Robin Williams quote about understanding that everyone is fighting unseen battles.
Pfeiffer also discussed her role in "The Madison," a contemporary Western series created by Taylor Sheridan. She plays Stacy, the widow of patriarch Preston (Kurt Russell), in the show which follows the Clyburn family's adjustment to rural Montana life after living in New York City. Pfeiffer took a "leap of faith" to join "The Madison" without reading a script, entrusting the project to Sheridan's proven track record with shows like "Yellowstone."
Pfeiffer's prolific film career includes three Academy Award nominations for her performances in "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988), "The Fabulous Baker Boys" (1989), and "Love Field" (1992), in addition to her memorable roles in "Scarface" and "Batman Returns." While "Margo's Got Money Troubles" is streaming on Apple TV, "The Madison" is available on Paramount+ and has been renewed for a second season.