Virginia Madsen Reflects on ‘Sideways’ and Her Festive New Role in ‘Holidazed’

Twenty years after the cult movie Sideways shifted the trajectory of her career, star Virginia Madsen sits down with Woman’s World to reflect on her run in Hollywood and dish on her newest project – the Hallmark+ holiday series, Holidazed. 

The blonde beauty whose early credits include Class, Dune, Candyman, and a host of teen and femme fatale roles gets candid about earning respect in Hollywood, and in honor of her new holiday series, also shares a peek into what Christmas was like for her and big brother Michael Madsen. 

Plus, we have the trailer and everything you need to know about the 8-episode series Holidazed – which will drop new feel-good episodes on Hallmark+ every week, starting this Thursday.

Virginia Madsen on the 20th anniversary of ‘Sideways’

When we caught up with Virginia Madsen to talk about joining the Hallmark family, she was busy celebrating another family – namely, her Sideways pals. October marked 20 years since the film Sideways premiered, earning her a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics Choice Award, and Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and turning Paul Giamatti into a household name.

“There’s all kinds of celebrations going on and screenings, because people have a real soft place in their heart for that movie,” Madsen says. “And it was just wonderful to be a part of making it. I was aware of how important it was, how well I was treated, and what a great movie it was – but I didn’t know it would blow up the way that it did. It was really epic.”

While Madsen had already been a recognizable actress who boasted a healthy list of big and small screen credits going back to 1983, the film was a game changer.  

“People finally got an idea of what I really do,” she says. “You just don’t get respect as a pretty, young girl with big tits – sorry for the language, but that was the perception of me. And God forbid, as a female, I should have an opinion! Being from the Midwest, I handled it well. I was tough enough to brave it out… or maybe I was naïve.”

How motherhood empowered Virginia Madsen’s career choice

Sideways may have marked a public shift in how she was perceived, but Madsen says the real change came from becoming a mother and embracing her power.

“I started to be more demonstrative after having a baby, and while I was raising my son (Jack), I went through a very unsuccessful part of my career where nobody wanted to invite me to the opening of an envelope,” she cracks. “Nobody knew what I could really do, so I gravitated towards all these crazy, weird independent films where I could call the shots.

“I also became a volunteer teacher at my son’s school, which was creatively the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” she adds. “The first 10 years of his life, most of my time was spent with him. Yes, there were commercial gigs that I had to do. I mean, that’s how you pay the bills, but I didn’t want to leave the house unless it really mattered.”

And now that she’s a grandma who can pick and choose?

“As an actress, you’re always going and traveling, so staying at home becomes a luxury,” Madsen says. “So whatever it is, you better have a good script if you want to get me out from in front of my fireplace!”

Virginia Madsen wants to tell uplifting, important stories

Today, Madsen knows what she brings to the table, as well as what kind of stories she wants to tell.

“I’ve been gravitating towards things that are uplifting and yet still have some meaning,” says Madsen, whose indie film Sheepdog is currently working the festival circuit. “It’s a really beautiful independent film about a young veteran with PTSD. It’s about his treatment, recovery, and ultimately redemption – and it’s important. I’m really proud of it.”

 At 63 years young, Madsen still has one more bucket list item to check off.

“When I was growing up, I thought I’d have that movie that would show every year, and mine was Candyman,” she says. “I love that and I’m glad that I have it, but I also always wanted something audiences would love watching around the holidays, like It’s a Wonderful Life.”

That’s why when she read the juicy scripts for Holidazed, she knew it was time to join the Hallmark family and help start a new holiday tradition.

Madsen goes for feel-good ‘Holidazed’ laughs on Hallmark

Coming to Hallmark+ on Thursday, Holidazed follows the highs and lows as six diverse families who live on the same cul-de-sac navigate the season. The media giant’s first ever holiday series delves into angsty drama like bubbling family secrets, mean girl battles, sibling rivalry, and bickering divorcees, while also frolicking through familiar themes like Christmas decorations wars.  

In other words, even as these six families tussle with their individual and neighborhood-wide dynamics, the series is wrapped in that cozy, comedy magic Hallmark is known for – and playing the matriarch of the rambunctious Manetti-Hanahan clan, Madsen was thrilled she had Scrubs alum John C. McGinley as her onscreen husband.

“I’m not usually called upon to do comedy,” Madsen admits. “But I’ve been doing it here and there and learning this relatively new skill from people that know a lot more about it than me – like Johnny. He really had my back, because he’s one of the kings of comedy. He was my comedy coach. He was there to assure me or push me to go a bit farther, so I felt confident that I would do a good job.”

Virginia Madsen admits she’s ‘obnoxious with Christmas’

As the Holidazed mayhem unrolls onscreen this month and into December, Madsen has beautiful memories of her own childhood holidays with her Emmy Award-winning mother, Elaine, and her sibs Michael and Cheryl – and she’s hoping to celebrate with her expanding brood this year.   

“There are many Madsens around this world,” cracks the actress. “Luckily, my mom lives 10 minutes from me. She’s 92 and she’s amazing.

“We had a very chaotic household growing up, and I always loved Christmas,” she continues. “In Chicago, it was like living in a snow globe. The adults were happy. There was the big fat guy with a beard. It was almost romantic… but there’s a lot of pressure on parents. With these three very passionate children and working full time, I just don’t know how my mother pulled it all together.”

Madsen’s love of the season has not waned. In fact, as you read this, she’s probably already knee deep in wreaths, garlands, and recipes.

“I’m so obnoxious with Christmas,” she admits. “The decorations are always too much. And if I can get a house full of family, I’m happy. Yeah, I hope to have a full house this year… We’ll see.”

Virginia Madsen’s Hallmark Series: Everything you need to know about ‘Holidazed’

With Holidazed an ensemble series about six families living on one cul-de-sac, viewers will find a host of Hallmark beauties and hunks among the cast – including Erin Cahill, who talked with Woman’s World about making the series this summer. There are also a slew of newcomers joining the Hallmark family for it’s first holiday series.  

Other Holidazed stars include Charmed alum Ser’Darius Blain, The Librarians’ Lindy Booth, Supernatural’s Osric Chau, 24’s Dennis Haysbert and Nazneen Contractor, Grey’s Anatomy’s Loretta Devine, East Los High’s Noemi Gonzalez, Pretty Little Liar’s Ian Harding, Under the Dome’s Rachelle Lefevre, Teen Wolf’s Holland Roden, and Fresh Off the Boat’s Lucille Soong.

“We all have family stories centering around the holidays,” Virginia Madsen teases and while each household gets a turn taking center stage in the 8-part-series, the premiere episode streaming Thursday on Hallmark+ sees the whole neighborhood pop in to set up the Holidazed drama, mischief and mayhem.

Watch the Holidazed trailer here:

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