The Madison, the latest Montana-set drama from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, finally lands on screens on Saturday, and one of its stars has revealed the real reason he vanished from the spotlight for seven years.

Best known for his long-running role as Dr Jack Shephard in Lost, Matthew Fox became a household name on the survival drama.

But after appearing in more than 100 episodes between 2004 and 2010, the actor stepped away from the industry, leaving fans wondering when he would return to their screens.

Matthew Fox at The Madison UK Premiere © Getty Images
Matthew Fox at The Madison UK Premiere

Why did Matthew Fox take a break from the industry?

In an interview with Variety at The Madison premiere, Matthew, 59, revealed the real reason for his disappearance. “I had missed some of their childhood because I was on set all the time with Lost and doing films,” he said. “So it was the right moment for me to step back, take time to engage with the people that I love and care about the most in the world.”

After several years away, Matthew returned to acting as Andy Yeats in the sci-fi thriller Last Light in 2022, and later appeared as Lieutenant Pete in the dark comedy C*A*U*G*H*T.

For his latest role, Matthew plays Paul Clyburn in Taylor Sheridan’s latest original drama, which is separate from the Dutton family but is still set in Montana.

“I kinda missed storytelling, and this opportunity came along from Taylor and I was like, ‘Yeah I’m in.’ Now I have a balance,” Matthew continued.

Meet Matthew Fox’s family

Matthew has two children, Kyle and Byron, whom he shares with his Italian model wife, Margherita Ronchi. The pair married nearly 45 years ago in 1992.

Before his TV hiatus, Matthew told People that living in Hawaii, where Lost was filmed, offered a welcome break from some of the pressures of fame.

Matthew and his wife Margherita Ronchi © Getty Images
Matthew and his wife Margherita Ronchi

“Being in Hawaii has also been beneficial in that I really don’t like the whole paparazzi thing in my daily life, or photographs of my kids and that type of thing. It does happen but it’s very rare,” he said.

Now he splits his time between Italy and Oregon, where Matthew’s brothers also live. “I enjoy fishing, hiking and skiing, and the mountains and fresh air and all these things are available pretty easily in Oregon without having to drive a long distance,” he told People.

What is The Madison about?

While not a direct spin-off of Yellowstone, The Madison is set in Big Sky country and follows the Clyburn family, whose members are played by Matthew, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.

Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn in season 1, episode 4 of the Paramount+ series THE MADISON. Photo Cr: Emerson Miller /Paramount + © 2026 Viacom International Inc.© Paramount+
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Stacy Clyburn in The Madison

The official synopsis reads: “The Madison is a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana.”

The first three episodes of The Madison land on Paramount+ on 14 March, with the final three arriving on 21 March.