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When Seth Rogen’s Apple TV comedy The Studio rolled its cameras beyond Los Angeles, Manhattan’s classic dining scene found itself center stage. Season 2 has already shot a sequence in New York, and one scene lands inside the famed Gallagher’s Steakhouse on West 52nd Street.
Shooting in New York: a deliberate move for authenticity
The decision to film on the East Coast continues a trend of Hollywood productions leaving their home turf. For The Studio, it was a chance to capture New York energy and to place characters in a real, lived-in setting. Producers staged a scene at Gallagher’s, a nearly century-old restaurant known as a gathering place for movie folk.
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- Location used: Gallagher’s Steakhouse, W. 52nd St., Manhattan.
- Timing: Filming took place before the restaurant opened that day.
- Cast involved: Seth Rogen and Ike Barinholtz filmed the bar moment.
Why Gallagher’s mattered for the scene
Gallagher’s isn’t a set piece built on a soundstage. The production tapped the restaurant’s real staff and its signature bar to lend texture. If the waiters and bartenders in the footage seem authentic, that’s because they are the actual Gallagher’s crew.
How the scene was staged
Seth Rogen’s character, studio chief Matt Remick, and Ike Barinholtz’s VP Sal Saperstein sit at the iconic bar. They talk through plot tensions tied to a character’s death. The filmmakers kept the moment intimate and true to the room’s atmosphere.
Season 1’s cameo strategy extended to Season 2
The show’s first season leaned on real-life industry figures to blur fiction and reality. Directors and stars made cameo appearances to mimic the feel of an operating studio lot. Season 2 preserves that approach, moving the authenticity to New York scenes.
- Notable Season 1 cameos included Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard.
- Actors like Charlize Theron also appeared as themselves.
- The same blend of real names and fictional drama continues into the new season.
Catherine O’Hara’s role and the show’s response to her passing
Actress Catherine O’Hara, beloved for Schitt’s Creek, was attached to Season 2. She passed away in January at age 71 after a short illness. Production sources say she had not filmed her scheduled scenes when she fell ill.
Following her death, the writers and producers altered the shooting plan. They reshuffled the schedule to focus on scenes not involving her character. Cast and crew were reportedly shaken; many on set considered her deeply loved.
How the series will address the loss
Seth Rogen has indicated the show will not pretend the loss didn’t happen. Rather than ignoring the moment, the writers will incorporate it into the season’s narrative. The handling aims to remain respectful while fitting into the show’s tonal mix of satire and drama.
What this means for viewers and the industry
The Studio’s New York shoot reflects two industry patterns: high-profile productions expanding location choices, and television series using real places to heighten realism. For viewers, the Gallagher’s scene offers a glimpse of the show stepping outside studio confines.
- The move suggests more varied backdrops in upcoming episodes.
- It also underscores the show’s commitment to blending satire with real-world industry textures.
- Fans can expect emotional beats alongside the series’ trademark dry humor.
