‘Mid-Century Modern’ Co-Creator Reveals How Linda Lavin’s Character Will Be Written Off
Mid-Century Modern co-creator Max Mutchnick has revealed how the late Linda Lavin’s character Sybil Schneiderman will be written off the upcoming Hulu comedy series.
The news comes almost a month following the death of the veteran stage and TV actress last December. Her PR representative told Deadline that she died unexpectedly of complications from recently discovered lung cancer. Lavin’s other last recent project was her appearance Phyllis Adelman — nosy neighbor and owner of Mr. Bojangles — in Liz Feldman’s Netflix series No Good Deed.
“This Week at ‘Mid Century Modern’ we filmed an episode I never thought we’d have to write,” Mutchnick posted on Instagram, including the title of the episode “Here’s to you Mrs Schneiderman.” “Saying goodbye to the character of Sybil was painful. Saying goodbye to Linda Lavin was heartbreaking.”
Lavin , who died with three episodes left to shoot, was one of the core characters of the show alongside Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane and Nathan Lee Graham. The multi-camera comedy series hails from Mutchnick and his Will & Grace creator David Kohan as well as Ryan Murphy. The series order was given less than two months after the pilot, written by Mutchnick and Kohan, was officially greenlighted and just a month after its live audience taping under director James Burrows.
The series follows gay gentlemen of a certain age and three best friends (Lane, Bomer, Graham), who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs where the wealthiest one, Bunny Schneiderman (Lane), lives with his mother, Sybil (Lavin). Bomer’s former Mormon Jerry Frank is “pure of heart. He is also hard of body and soft of head.” Graham’s Arthur is a dignified, elegant, fashion industry veteran.
The center stage chosen family demonstrates unconditional love, and that there’s always someone around to remind you it would be better if you got your neck done.
Lane and Bomer executive produce the series alongside Mutchnick, Kohan, Burrows and Murphy. 20th Television where Ryan Murphy Productions is based, is the studio.
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