Art has a way of reflecting life’s sorrowful moments, as seen in Hulu’s upcoming comedy Mid-Century Modern. According to TVLine, the series will address the sudden passing of Linda Lavin (Alice, B Positive), who portrayed Sybil Schneiderman, co-creator Max Mutchnick (Will & Grace, Good Morning, Miami) recently revealed.
Lavin, a celebrated actress with two Golden Globe wins and an Emmy nomination passed away on December 29 from complications related to newly discovered lung cancer. She was 87. Before passing, she had completed filming seven of the show’s 10 episodes.
Mutchnick shared the emotional news in an Instagram post, which included behind-the-scenes photos of cast members Nathan Lane (The Good Wife, The Gilded Age), Matt Bomer (Doom Patrol, American Horror Story), Nathan Lee Graham (Zoolander) and others dressed for a memorial service. “This week at “Mid-Century Modern” we filmed an episode I never thought we’d have to write — ‘Here’s to You, Mrs. Schneiderman,’” he wrote. “Saying goodbye to the character of Sybil was painful. Saying goodbye to Linda Lavin was heartbreaking.”
Created by Mutchnick, David Kohan (Will & Grace) and executive producer Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story), Mid-Century Modern is inspired by The Golden Girls. The show follows three gay friends in their later years who decide to live together in Palm Springs after an unexpected loss. As the series mixes humor and heartfelt moments, it explores the bonds of a chosen family, with the wealthiest of the group hosting his friends while living with his mother.
In a joint statement, Mutchnick, Kohan and director Jimmy Burrows (Cheers, Taxi) honored Lavin’s memory, saying, “Working with Linda was one of the highlights of our careers. She was a magnificent actress, singer, musician, and a heat seeking missile with a joke. But more significantly, she was a beautiful soul. Deep, joyful, generous and loving. She made our days better. The entire staff and crew will miss her beyond measure. We are better for having known her.”