Seth Rogen admitted that “The Studio” is “a little anchorless” following Catherine O’Hara’s death at age 71 earlier this year.
The comedian spoke about O’Hara’s death and how “The Studio” is handling her tragic death in an interview with The Times published Friday.
“If anything, we’re acknowledging the idea that we’re a little bit anchorless,” Rogen, 43, explained. “But to be honest, it’s part of life and something we all experience.”
He continued, “So we try not to touch on heavy themes too much on this show, but those themes are definitely going to come up in this second season. We’re not ignoring that.”
Evan Goldberg, who co-created “The Studio” with Rogen, added that O’Hara’s death “shocked” the entire second season of the award-winning Apple TV show.
“It’s been an incredible challenge,” Goldberg, 43, said of moving forward without O’Hara. “Emotionally, dealing with the loss, of course, but also in terms of the show itself.”
Goldberg continued, “We wrote this song like she was there. We were all set up, and the shockwaves permeate throughout the new season. It was difficult. You put it better than we did — she was the anchor, and now the anchor is gone.”
O’Hara, who played the role of ousted film producer Patti Lee in Season 1 of “The Studio,” passed away on January 30th, before filming began on Season 2.
The “Home Alone” star’s cause of death was later determined to be pulmonary embolism.
Rogen and his “The Studio” co-stars bowed out of an Apple TV event on Feb. 3 following O’Hara’s death. Both Apple and Lionsgate paid tribute to the “Schitt’s Creek” star in a touching joint statement.
“We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara,” it read. “An undeniable legend, an icon, and a unique talent, Katharine has elevated every project she’s been a part of, including the singular genius she brought to her role on The Studio and every transcendent performance she’s given us.”
O’Hara won Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2026 SAG Actor Awards held on March 1 for her role as Patti Lee in Season 1 of The Studio.
She became the first woman in history to win a posthumous SAG Acting Award, with Rogen accepting the award on her behalf.
“I have been asked to accept the honor of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf,” the “Pineapple Express” star began his emotional speech.
“I think she would have been honored to receive this award from her fellow performers, who she so respected,” he continued. “She was your big fan.”
Rogen remembered the late actress for her hilarious work on Beetlejuice and Best in Show, saying O’Hara “showed herself to be a genius and kind” and that “one doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other.”
“That’s Catherine O’Hara. We’re lucky to live in a world where she freely shares her talents with us,” Rogen concluded his speech.
