Seth Rogen Addresses How 'The Studio' Will Handle Catherine O'Hara's Death

The late actress was a 'true anchor' for the comedy series, according to the show's creators.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:22pm

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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the co-creators of the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio, have revealed how they plan to address the death of their co-star Catherine O'Hara in the upcoming second season. O'Hara, who played Patty Leigh on the show, passed away in January 2026 at the age of 71 due to a pulmonary embolism. Rogen and Goldberg acknowledged the 'unbelievable challenge' of continuing the series without O'Hara, who they described as the 'anchor' of the show.

Why it matters

Catherine O'Hara was a beloved and acclaimed actress known for her iconic roles in films like Home Alone. Her death was a major loss for the entertainment industry, and how The Studio handles her absence will be closely watched by fans of the show and O'Hara's work.

The details

Rogen told The Times of London that the new season of The Studio will 'acknowledge the idea that we are a little anchorless' following O'Hara's passing. Goldberg added that it has been an 'unbelievable challenge' to continue filming without O'Hara, as the show was 'written for her to be there.' The creators said the 'shock waves' of O'Hara's death 'permeate throughout the entire new season.'

  • Catherine O'Hara passed away in January 2026 at the age of 71.
  • The Studio season 2 is currently in production, but does not yet have a premiere date.

The players

Seth Rogen

The co-creator and executive producer of The Studio, who also worked closely with Catherine O'Hara on the show.

Evan Goldberg

The co-creator and executive producer of The Studio, who acknowledged the challenge of continuing the series without O'Hara.

Catherine O'Hara

The acclaimed actress who played Patty Leigh on The Studio and passed away in January 2026 at the age of 71.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Seth Rogen, Co-creator, The Studio

“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.”

— Evan Goldberg, Co-creator, The Studio

What’s next

The Studio season 2 does not yet have a confirmed premiere date, but fans will be eager to see how the show handles the loss of Catherine O'Hara's character and presence.

The takeaway

The death of Catherine O'Hara, a beloved and acclaimed actress, has left a significant void for the creators of The Studio. Their acknowledgment of her importance to the show and their commitment to addressing her absence with care and sensitivity reflects the profound impact she had on the series and its fans.