Following Films Podcast: Virginia Madsen on SHEEPDOG

Welcome back to The Following Films Podcast, where we dive into the stories behind the films that move us, challenge us, and stay with us long after the credits roll.

Today’s episode brings us a powerful new drama that explores trauma, resilience, and the complicated journey home after war. Sheepdog, written and directed by Steven Grayhm, arrives in theaters January 16, 2026, and it’s a deeply human story about what it really takes to heal.

The film centers on Calvin Cole, a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran who is court-ordered into treatment under the care of a VA trauma therapist in training. Just as he begins confronting his past, his estranged father-in-lawm a retired Vietnam veteran recently released from prison, arrives at his doorstep, forcing Calvin to face everything he’s been trying to outrun. Through community, tough love, and compassion, Sheepdog becomes a story about putting yourself back together again, for your family, and for yourself.

The film features an extraordinary ensemble, including Steven Grayhm, Vondie Curtis Hall, Dominic Fumusa, Lilli Cooper, Matt Dallas, and today’s guest, Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, whose work continues to bring depth, grace, and emotional truth to every project she touches.

Madsen, best known for films like Sideways, brings a remarkable presence to Sheepdog, helping ground the story in empathy and emotional realism. Her performance is part of what makes this film resonate so deeply, especially as it tackles the generational impact of war and the quiet battles that continue long after soldiers come home.

I’m thrilled to welcome Virginia Madsen to The Following Films Podcast to talk about her work on Sheepdog, what drew her to the project, and why stories like this feel so vital right now.

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