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Ben Schnetzer reveals the surprising journey behind nailing his cowboy accent for The Madison. The 36-year-old actor drew inspiration from unexpected sources, including a 2017 Chloe Zhao film and Montana police interviews. His pronunciation work went far deeper than most actors imagine.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Character Name: Van Davis, deputy sheriff in rural Montana
- Preparation Method: Studied Brady Jandreau’s ‘The Rider’ and A&E’s ‘Live PD’ Missoula episodes
- Cowboy Camp Experience: Learned horse riding, rope work, fly fishing, and drift boating with expert wranglers
- Series Premiere: First 3 episodes released March 14, 2026 on Paramount+
A New Yorker’s Bold Accent Challenge
Schnetzer had virtually zero cowboy experience before landing the Van Davis role. The self-described city kid from New York went on what he calls “a bit of a journey” to find his character’s distinctive vocal register. Originally auditioning for Kevin Zegers’ character, Cade Harris, Schnetzer switched gears and needed to develop an entirely new Montana sound for The Madison’s supporting lead.
Finding the voice required meticulous research. Schnetzer studied how the character’s life in rural Montana shaped his worldview and speech patterns. He wasn’t creating a generic Texas cowboy accent, but something distinctly northern, influenced by Montana’s border geography and the land’s rhythms.
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The Brady Jandreau Blueprint
Chloe Zhao’s 2017 film ‘The Rider’ became Schnetzer’s secret weapon for understanding Western vocal patterns. He rewatched the film multiple times and studied Brady Jandreau’s interviews to absorb the authentic Montana-North Dakota border drawl. Jandreau became what Schnetzer calls “an anchor” for navigating the character’s acoustic identity.
Beyond just Jandreau, Schnetzer dove into A&E’s ‘Live PD’ reality series, specifically watching the Missoula, Montana episodes. He listened intently to how law enforcement officers spoke in that region, gathering real-world vocal cues for Van Davis’s professional demeanor and casual speech patterns.
From Set Research to Embodied Performance
| Training Element | Purpose |
| Horse Riding | Physical embodiment of ranch life character |
| Rope Work | Building authentic movement and confidence |
| Fly Fishing | Understanding character’s relationship with nature |
| Dialect Coaching | Fine-tuning Montana accent and vocal delivery |
Once Schnetzer arrived in rural Montana for filming, the Cowboy Camp experience became transformative. The actor attended a condensed program working with expert wranglers who’ve trained talent across multiple Taylor Sheridan productions. Schnetzer described these professionals as “the best in the business.”
“Being able to learn from and work with these folks was an absolute gift and just a thrill and so much fun and so enriching.”
— Ben Schnetzer, Actor, The Madison
Beyond Skills, Creating Truth
Schnetzer’s preparation transcended surface-level western skills. He focused on understanding how Van Davis’s life growing up in nature shaped his identity. The actor studied character psychology as much as horse technique. Working with professional dialect coaches on set, Schnetzer chipped away at authenticity, learning to access Van’s worldview, rhythms, and instincts. The accent became less about copying and more about embodying a man whose life was defined by landscape and hard work.
The Paramount+ series showcases Schnetzer’s commitment through performances alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, and Matthew Fox. Created by Taylor Sheridan, The Madison follows the Clyburn family’s journey between Manhattan’s energy and Montana’s wilderness, exploring how family bonds transcend geography and tradition.
What Does Van Davis’s Accent Teach Actors About Preparation?
Schnetzer’s methodical approach reveals fundamental truths about character work. Rather than faking an accent, he researched lived experience, studying real people from that region. Rather than memorizing dialect patterns, he observed how environment shapes speech and behavior. The wranglers’ guidance gave him authentic physical and emotional anchors. His Montana immersion transformed preparation into genuine discovery. The result: a Van Davis who feels native to the land, not borrowed from a costume rack.
Sources
- People.com – Exclusive interview with Ben Schnetzer on cowboy accent preparation for The Madison
- Woman’s World – Behind-the-scenes cowboy camp training and character development details
- Paramount+ Official – The Madison cast and production information
