Before we begin our article, here’s an exclusive video of the series’ promo. We are posting this here for the first time in honor of Madigan Men’s 23rd anniversary today.
Now that it is outta the way, let’s begin our article.
On this day 23 years ago, Gabriel Byrne’s very short lived & underrated ABC series Madigan Men was first aired.
The series followed the lives of three generations of Irish-American Madigan men living in the Big Apple. The titular Madigans were the patriarch Ben Madigan, his son Luke Madigan, & Luke’s son Mickey Madigan. While the series was short-lived and only lasted for one season, it featured a talented cast & explored the dynamics between the three generations.
Ben Madigan, portrayed by Gabriel Byrne, was the son of Luke & the middle one of the family. He was a successful architect who had a penchant for giving advice and imparting his wisdom to his son and grandson. Ben was a widower and often found himself navigating the challenges of dating and relationships while trying to maintain a strong bond with his family. His character was known for his dry wit and insightful observations about life.
Luke Madigan, played by Roy Dotrice, was Ben’s father and the oldest generation of the Madigans. He was a divorced father who worked as a lawyer. Luke was a bit more uptight and cautious compared to his son, often seeking his guidance in matters of the heart and career. Luke was portrayed as a loving father who wanted the best for his grandson, Mickey, and often tried to strike a balance between his responsibilities as a parent and his own personal life.
Mickey Madigan, portrayed by John Hensley, was the youngest generation of the Madigan men. He was a college student who was still figuring out his path in life. Mickey often found himself torn between the traditional values and expectations of his family and the desire to explore his own interests and aspirations. He was portrayed as a typical young adult trying to find his place in the world while navigating relationships, education, and personal growth.
The show revolved around the interactions and humorous situations that arose from the generational differences and similarities between the Madigan men. It explored themes of family, love, and the challenges faced by each generation as they tried to navigate their personal and professional lives in New York City.
Despite its talented cast and promising premise, “Madigan Men” failed to find a wide audience and was canceled after only one season. The show, however, also made North American television history as Gabriel became the first European man to ever lead a major network series.
The series had showcased the talents of its cast & offered a brief glimpse into the lives of the three generational Madigan men.
If only it had lasted 5 seasons, tho.
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