The creators of The Studio are preparing for a second season that looks very different from what they first planned. Catherine O’Hara, who played the key role of Patty Leigh, passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles. She was 71 years old. The news sent shock waves through the cast and crew, forcing Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to rethink everything for the show’s return on Apple TV+.
The first season of The Studio became a major hit for the streaming service. O’Hara’s performance as a powerful movie executive earned her an Emmy nomination in 2025 and a Golden Globe nod in 2026. She also won a posthumous Actor Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series just last month. Rogen accepted the award on her behalf, giving an emotional speech about working with the comedy legend.
The Loss Changed Everything For The Upcoming Episodes
Rogen and Goldberg spoke with The Times of London about how difficult it has been to move forward without O’Hara. The second season had already been written with her character as a major part of the story. Her sudden death meant the writers had to go back to the drawing board while still dealing with their own grief.
Goldberg described the situation as an “unbelievable challenge.” He explained that the shock of losing her runs through every part of the new season.
“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 of The Studio
Rogen agreed with that description. He admitted that the show will feel different without her presence. But instead of pretending nothing happened, the creators decided to face the loss directly in the story.
“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 and Star of The Studio
How The Show Will Handle O’Hara’s Character Patty Leigh
Production for The Studio Season 2 started in January 2026, right around the time of O’Hara’s passing. Reports confirm that O’Hara did not film any scenes for the new season before her death. This left the creative team with a major challenge. Her character, Patty Leigh, served as a mentor to Rogen’s character, Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of Continental Studios.
The writers have chosen to address the absence of Patty Leigh directly. Instead of recasting the role or writing the character off with a quick explanation, the show will explore what happens when the anchor of a group is suddenly gone. This approach allows the series to honor O’Hara’s work while also dealing with real emotions that the audience can relate to.
Rogen shared that O’Hara was deeply involved in shaping her character during the first season. She would often send emails to the writers with her own ideas for scenes.
“Hello, I hope you’ll consider the following,” Rogen recalled from one of her emails, which would then include a completely rewritten version of the scene. He said that 100% of the time, her changes made not just her character better, but the whole show better as well.
Awards Season Tributes Highlight Her Impact
The entertainment industry has paid tribute to O’Hara multiple times since her passing. At the DGA Awards in February, Rogen and Goldberg won for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a Comedy Series. During their acceptance speech, they spoke about growing up in Canada and looking up to O’Hara as their idol since childhood.
Rogen said at the event that the best part of O’Hara was how she showed everyone that you can be a genius and also the nicest person in the world. He added that the cast and crew worked very hard every day to make the show good enough for her time and presence.
At the Actor Awards, where O’Hara won her posthumous award, Rogen spoke about her talent and work ethic. He noted how she knew she could “destroy” every day on set, and she wanted to do exactly that. Her ability to be generous and kind while never downplaying her own skills left a strong impression on everyone who worked with her.
Apple TV+ and Lionsgate Television released a joint statement after her death, saying they were all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara.
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What Viewers Can Expect From The Second Season
The Studio Season 2 does not have an official release date yet. The show was renewed for a second season in May 2025, before O’Hara’s passing. The Futon Critic lists the return as “TBA 2026,” meaning fans can expect new episodes sometime this year.
The first season of The Studio earned 23 Emmy nominations and won 13 of them. The show features a cast that includes Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kathryn Hahn. Rogen stars as Matt Remick, a movie executive trying to balance artistic dreams with corporate demands.
Recent set photos have shown Madonna on location for the second season, leading many to believe the music icon will make a cameo appearance. The first season included famous faces like Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and Zoë Kravitz, so more celebrity appearances would fit the show’s style.
Rogen has mentioned that the second season will also address recent changes in Hollywood, including the effects of the writers’ strike and other industry shifts. The show may use a time jump to keep up with how fast things have changed in the movie business.
Remembering Catherine O’Hara’s Legacy
O’Hara built a career that spanned five decades. She became famous for roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries like Best in Show. A new generation of fans came to love her as Moira Rose on the hit series Schitt’s Creek, a role that won her an Emmy in 2020.
She also appeared in The Last of Us on HBO, showing her range as a dramatic actress. Her passing came from a pulmonary embolism, with an underlying cause of rectal cancer. She had kept her illness private.
Macaulay Culkin, her co-star from the Home Alone movies, shared a moving tribute after her death. “Mama. I thought we had time,” he wrote on social media.
For the team behind The Studio, O’Hara was more than just a cast member. She was the heart of the show. As Rogen and Goldberg continue production on the second season, they carry her memory with them. The new episodes will not hide from the loss. Instead, they will use it to tell a more honest and real story about what happens when someone important is no longer there.
The comedy series will mix laughs with heavier moments in Season 2. Rogen promised that while the show tries not to focus too much on sad themes, those feelings will be present because they are a natural part of life.
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