The Studio to Address Catherine O'Hara's Death in Season 2

Creators Rogen and Goldberg discuss the challenges of recalibrating the show's narrative after the passing of the beloved actress.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:38am

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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have confirmed that the second season of their Apple TV+ series The Studio will acknowledge the death of actress Catherine O'Hara, who played a central character on the show. In an interview, the creators discussed the significant impact O'Hara's passing has had on the production, requiring a structural rethink of the new season's scripts and narrative.

Why it matters

O'Hara's death has created emotional and practical disruptions for the production of The Studio, as the show's narrative was built around her character. The creators must now navigate how to authentically weave this real-life tragedy into the series, while still delivering the show's signature tone and themes.

The details

According to Goldberg, the scripts for the new season had been fully developed with O'Hara's character as a central presence. Because the narrative was built around her, the creators have had to recalibrate the story to account for her absence. Rogen explained that the series will not ignore the loss but will instead weave the real-life tragedy into the narrative, acknowledging the feeling of being a little anchorless that the production now faces.

  • Catherine O'Hara passed away on January 30, 2026 at the age of 71.

The players

Seth Rogen

Co-creator and director of The Studio.

Evan Goldberg

Co-creator and director of The Studio.

Catherine O'Hara

Actress who played the character Patty Leigh on The Studio, and passed away in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“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 and director of The Studio

“While The Studio typically avoids dwelling on heavy themes, Rogen confirmed that such themes will be present in the second season as the show moves forward without one of its defining performers.”

— Seth Rogen, Co-creator and director of The Studio

What’s next

The second season of The Studio is expected to premiere on Apple TV+ in late 2026, with the creators' approach to addressing Catherine O'Hara's death a key point of interest for fans of the show.

The takeaway

The loss of a beloved cast member has forced the creative team behind The Studio to thoughtfully recalibrate the show's narrative and themes, underscoring the real-world impact that can ripple through even the most polished of fictional productions.