Madonna to cameo in ‘The Studio’ season two episodes about her ill-fated biopic
The icon will play herself in her first acting role since 2003
by Victoria Luxford · NMEThe latest season of The Studio will feature Madonna in a two-episode arc about her cancelled biopic.
Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ comedy is a satirical look at the movie business, with the comedy actor starring as the embattled head of a studio, struggling to balance artistic endeavour with financial concerns. The show also includes regular cameos from real-life movie stars, with season one featuring Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron, and Zoe Kravitz playing fictionalised versions of themselves.
Now, Variety has revealed that Madonna will be the focus of a two episode arc that tackles the subject of her real life, now-cancelled biopic. The ‘Vogue’ singer was set to direct a movie of her life with Julia Garner (Weapons) playing her. The production eventually collapsed and now a Netflix series is in development.
The Studio imagines that the film was made, with Rogen and his regular co-stars taking the film to Venice film festival in the hopes of generating Oscar buzz. Garner will also appear as the star of the fictional movie, and was pictured alongside the singer on set. Madonna hinted that she would be involved after posting images on Instagram recently.
It is not known how extensive her role will be, but The Studio will be her first time acting since a 2003 appearance in TV sitcom Will & Grace. Her last starring role was in 2002’s ill-fated drama Swept Away, directed by her then-husband Guy Ritchie. She also directed the historical drama W/E in 2011.
The Studio’s second season will move forward without regular cast member Catherine O’Hara, who passed away in late January at the age of 71. Seth Rogen accepted a posthumous Actor Award for her, saying in his tribute: “She showed that you can be a genius and be kind”.