Seth Rogen And Catherine O'Hara Take On Hollywood In ‘The Studio'

Forbes

20-03-2025

Catherine O'Hara and Seth Rogen in the new Apple TV+ series "The Studio"
On March 26, the much-anticipated new comedy series The Studio arrives on Apple TV+. Starring and co-created by Seth Rogen, along with Catherine O'Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders and Kathryn Hahn, The Studio is a hilarious and refreshingly original concept that showcases the inner-workings of 'the Hollywood machine' and the business dealings between big stars, iconic filmmakers and the studio executives striving for blockbuster success.
Rogen plays Matt Remick, a newly appointed 'top dog' at a legacy movie studio, who wants to bring more grounded and deeper storytelling to the screen, but is consistently faced with other creative demands and financial pressures all around him.
Seth Rogen and Ron Howard in the new Apple TV+ series" The Studio"
Sitting down with Rogen, I wondered what it was about this Hollywood industry story that felt like this is something that not only entertainment professionals will appreciate, but the public at large will also find amusing.
Rogen said, 'I mean, I knew it was sort of incumbent on us, as the writers, to translate what we find interesting about this to the public at large. I found that the more personal place we start from, often the funnier it all is. We really just want to make something that reflected our experiences in Hollywood: our frustrations, our concerns, the things we love, the things that inspire us. Then, it was really about just making sure every episode had a clear comedic idea, that was very relatable and understandable, as a joke premise that was tied into this like bigger picture we were trying to show, you know?'
In The Studio, O'Hara plays executive Patty Leigh, Matt's colleague and his previous superior. Best known for her memorable roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, the many Christopher Guest comedies and as the beloved Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, what exactly was it about O'Hara's new The Studio character that made her want to be the actor to take this on next?
Seth Rogen and Catherine O'Hara in the new Apple TV+ series "The Studio"
O'Hara said, 'It was Seth and [co-creator] Evan [Goldberg] talking me into it. Very, very persuasive. They made it sound like it was going to be so good and so fun and so informative. They describe great characters. Then, the scripts came in and they were great - really funny. I've never played, I don't think, someone like this in this kind of power position, who loses it right away.'
Barinholtz plays Sal Saperstein, Matt's best friend and his colleague at the studio, who is often put in uncomfortable situations to do Matt's 'dirty work' for him. Being a seasoned comedy actor, I was curious what it was about Barinholtz's The Studio character that perhaps allowed him to 'flex' a different acting muscle from his previous roles.
Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Seth Rogen and Chase Sui Wonders in the new Apple TV+ series "The ... [+] Studio"
Barinholtz said, 'I think there was something very fun for me about playing that character in this kind of modern setting - in a position of power - where there's a lot more scrutiny for guys like him now. I just thought it was fun to kind of take that 'bull in a China shop,' who back in the day would say whatever he wanted - and now, he still does but he just does it a little bit quieter.'
Known previously for her performance in the 2022 horror-comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies, Sui Wonders plays Quinn Hackett in The Studio, Matt's right-hand woman, who is often a voice of reason for the new studio executive, yet her contributions do not always go as well as intended. So, how did working alongside her co-stars on this series help elevate her own on-screen performance?
Sui Wonders said, 'I think part of the way into the season, everyone around me - Seth and Evan - they kind of like tapped into a bit of a freak within. Letting that sort of fly and allowing me to be a bit strange and weird is something that I hadn't really done on-camera before, but definitely exists in my personal life. So, that was really freeing and liberating. It's always cool when you feel safe enough to be able to do a Tracy Morgan impression.'
Concluding our conversation by wondering what these actors would say to their The Studio characters, after embodying them throughout the season, Barinholtz said with Sal in mind, 'That is a good one. You have two teenage daughters - don't do heavy narcotics.'
Rogen said of Matt, 'I would not get along with my [character]. I would probably tell him like make better movies, you schmuck. Come on! Risk more and do something good. Don't just constantly disappoint yourself and others.'
Seth Rogen in the new Apple TV+ series "The Studio"
Sui Wonders said with Quinn in mind, 'Try not to take too much advantage of your identity politics because it seems to lead to hot water.'
O'Hara said of Patty, 'I'd say you are amazing. You have great ideas, so F-them! F-them, those weasels.'