Nathan Lane gets candid about gay loneliness and 'chosen family' in his new show, 'Mid-Century Modern'

Yahoo

28-03-2025

There's a new chosen family moving to Hulu — and they're bringing caftans, cocktails and clever one-liners with them.
Mid-Century Modern, the 10-episode comedy series debuting March 28 on the streamer, is the latest creation from Will & Grace masterminds Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, with Ryan Murphy also on board as executive producer.
The series stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham as three gay gentlemen of a certain age who decide to spend their golden years under one roof in Palm Springs, Calif., after the death of a close friend.
Many publications have drawn comparisons to The Golden Girls, reimagined through a contemporary, queer lens. But the show isn't just about nostalgia in a muumuu. According to Lane, who plays wealthy businessman Bunny Schneiderman, it's a heartfelt take on the idea of the family you choose — and the kind of friendship forged in grief and loneliness.
'I think he's a lonely guy,' Lane told Yahoo Entertainment about his character. 'Getting together with these two friends is very meaningful. He very quickly makes this suggestion that they all live together ... without thinking about the consequences.'
That ache of loneliness, especially among older LGBTQ folks, is a theme mainstream television rarely touches. Mid-Century Modern leans into it, treating it with humor and humanity. In one standout episode, the trio even invite their conservative congresswoman neighbor over for dinner — a setup that delivers heart in classic sitcom form.
'They're his chosen family,' Lane said of his onscreen companions. 'For him, I think that not ever having had some great romance in his life, a long-term romance, as he says, that's his love story.'
Bomer, who plays Jerry Frank, a former Mormon navigating his own midlife renaissance, said the team's North Star was joy.
'We wanted to bring joy to the world, and celebrate queer joy and laughter and good times,' he said. 'That's what we wanted to offer.'
Graham, who plays the elegant Arthur Broussard, added, 'I probably won't watch because I get too nervous, but I know how I felt doing it. I cannot wait for people to see how brilliant these gentlemen are.'
The series also features Linda Lavin as Sybil Schneiderman, Bunny's sharp-witted mother. Lavin died in December 2024, shortly before filming wrapped. The cast and crew responded with what Graham called a 'Herculean effort' to honor her in the most heartfelt way possible.
'You'll see a wonderful tribute episode to Linda Lavin — to the character of Sybil,' he said. 'What the writers came up with was simply a beautiful tribute to an amazing artist. Linda Lavin cannot be replaced. She is singular. It made us even closer, and we were already close.'
The joyfulness is what the cast hopes will resonate with viewers most. Or at the very least, as Bomer joked, will give gay bars across the country something new to play on loop.
'We'd be so honored,' he said at the thought.