Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are opening up about how the upcoming second season of The Studio has been impacted following Catherine O’Hara’s death.
In a Friday interview with The Times, the directors spoke about how the show will look different without O’Hara’s Patty Leigh, whom the interviewer referred to as “the anchor” of the seires. Rogen noted that they are “acknowledging” her death, with Goldberg adding that “it has been an unbelievable challenge” navigating her absence, also because her character was written into season two.
“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,” Goldberg said. “It’s been difficult. You worded it better than we could — she was the anchor and now the anchor is gone.”
Rogen elaborated on the notion of O’Hara being The Studio‘s anchor, adding, “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.”
The Beetlejuice actress died Jan. 30 at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She was 71. Following O’Hara’s death, The Studio cast, crew and producers paid tribute to their late star, with Apple TV and Lionsgate Television sharing in a joint statement, “We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara.”
O’Hara portrayed movie executive Patty Leigh in Rogen and Goldberg’s Apple TV comedy. She appeared in all 10 episodes of The Studio‘s hit first season, and notably earned herself a 2025 Emmy nomination and 2026 Golden Globe nod for best supporting actress in a comedy series.
At the 2026 Actor Awards, O’Hara won the honor of best actress in a comedy series tied to her work in The Studio. Rogen took the stage to accept the award on her behalf.
“I was asked to assume the honor of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf. I know she would have been honored to receive this award from her fellow performers who I know she respected so much,” Rogen said to the attendees. “She was such a big fan of all of yours.”
Rogen and Goldberg paid homage to O’Hara throughout awards season. After they won the DGA Award for outstanding directorial achievement for a comedy series, both of the directors reflected on their admiration for the late actress.
“Honestly, there’s no one we wish we could thank in person at this moment more than we would love to thank Catherine O’Hara,” Rogen said, which led the audience to erupt in applause, as Goldberg added, “We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were children.”
“Every day we worked very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence. So, ultimately, we would like to thank the DGA for this, but we would mostly like to thank Catherine O’Hara for being such a wonderful person,” Rogen said at the end of their acceptance speech.
