Seth Rogen On How ‘The Studio’ “Acknowledges” Catherine O’Hara’s Death

As The Studio prepares its return to Hollywood for Season 2, the cast will be missing one bright star following Catherine O’Hara’s death at age 71.

Seth Rogen recently confirmed that the upcoming second season of the Apple TV+ satire series is “acknowledging” the Golden Globe-winning actress’ passing after originally writing it “for her to be there” before she died from complications with rectal cancer.

“It has been an unbelievable challenge,” he told The Times of returning to make the show after her death. “Obviously emotionally, dealing with the loss, but also when it comes to the show itself. We wrote it for her to be there. We had it all set and the shock waves permeate throughout the entire new season. It’s been difficult. You worded it better than we could — she was the anchor and now the anchor is gone.”

Rogen explained, “If anything, we’re acknowledging the idea that we are a little anchorless. But, honestly, that is a part of life and what we all experience. And so while we try to not dwell too much on heavy themes in this show, they will be there in this second season. We are not ignoring it.”

Looking back on O’Hara’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated performance in last year’s first season, Rogen said, “We just wanted her to think we were funny.”

In The Studio, O’Hara delivered an acclaimed performance as former studio head Patty Leigh, the mentor to Rogen’s newly promoted Continental Studios boss Matt Remick.

Last month, Rogen accepted the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series on behalf of his late co-star, recognizing her performance, career and life in a heartfelt speech. “She really showed that you can be a genius and be kind, and one of those things does not have to come at the expense of the other in any way, shape or form,” he said.