DEAD TO ME - LINDA CARDELLINI, JAMES MARSDEN and LIZ FELDMAN INTERVIEW
/It’s all so bittersweet, but the final Season of Dead To Me is worth every minute of your viewing time!
The final season of the Netflix show, which is now streaming, wasn't typical for the seasoned actresses Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. Applegate's real-life multiple sclerosis diagnosis threw a big wrench in it. Co-stars Cardellini (Judy) and Applegate (Jen) had already developed a close friendship playing best friends with secrets in the show, and only grew closer as Cardellini took on the role of advocate on set for Applegate.
Linda and Christina leaned on each for support throughout this final season. The banter between these two actresses is absolutely fantastic and Applegate’s quick wit and sarcastic manner makes this season a must not miss event.
Applegate has said that she started experiencing minor symptoms of MS — an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system — in January 2021. Four months later, when Dead to Me began production on its final season, her symptoms had escalated drastically and she didn't yet have a diagnosis. Soon after, she was told she had MS and the show went on hiatus for five months so she could begin treatment. Showrunner Liz Feldman gave Applegate the option of not returning, but she insisted. She had to use a wheelchair on the set, be physically propped up in some scenes and take naps to get through the long work days.
I spoke with stars Linda Cardellini, James Marsden and series creator/ showrunner Liz Feldman about the end of the series.