Both Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate, according to Linda Cardellini, “were shedding some really huge tears” when filming the conclusion of the D.e.a.d to Me series.
The experienced actresses didn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary for the last season of the Netflix show, which is presently streaming online. The fact that Applegate actually suffers from multiple sclerosis threw a major hitch into the works. Cardellini took on the position of Applegate’s advocate on set, which only served to strengthen their already strong bond. Prior to the show, the two had already built a tight friendship when portraying best friends who shared secrets.
Cardellini stated to the Hollywood Reporter that she believes viewers would come away from the event with the impression that Christina is “exactly as brilliant as she has ever been,” and that she is “simply a wonderful performer.” “She can really do it all, and I can’t wait for people to see how incredible she and the season are,” you say. “It’s going to be a great season.”
According to Applegate, she began suffering some of the mild symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, in January of 2021. Her symptoms had significantly worsened by the time production of the final season of D.e.a.d to Me began four months later, but she still did not have a diagnosis at that point. Soon after that, she was given the news that she had multiple sclerosis (MS), and the program was put on hold for a period of five months so that she could begin treatment. Applegate was given the opportunity by showrunner Liz Feldman to not come back, but she insisted on doing so. She had to use a wheelchair on set, have physical assistance in some parts, and nap during the day in order to make it through the long days of filming.
Cardellini, who portrays Judy to Applegate’s Jen, said, “I really wanted her to do what was best for her.” Applegate is the character Jen. “I told her, ‘It makes no difference what the show is about. Do what makes the most sense for you. Nobody or anything else is as important as you are. That which pertains to our lives and our health is the primary concern. Jobs are always in the back seat. Because we have both worked in this field for a considerable amount of time, we are both aware that circumstances similar to that can arise at any time. Applegate, on the other hand, “was really resolved to want to accomplish it.”
She explained that enduring difficult times together is “what friends do.” I can say without a doubt that I have been helped through everything, and all I wanted to do was be there for my friend. If she expresses an interest in working, I will do everything I can to facilitate it. If she tells me she wants to stay home, I will do all I can to make it happen. To be a good friend, you should do whatever it takes.
When the cameras aren’t rolling, the camaraderie that you see between the women on film is even stronger than it is when they are.
Former cast members of ER and Freaks and Geeks shared their insight, saying that “Jen and Judy are friends, and you see them leaning on each other on the show.” But Christina and Linda are also good friends of ours, and when we needed support, we turned to one other. And I would hope that she would lean on me in the same way that I would lean on her. I just wanted to be there for her in whatever capacity she required the most assistance. In spite of the great difficulties that we had this season, one of my goals was to be the same as I was the previous season. You genuinely care about your pals and want nothing more than to show them that you adore them. And we are both protectives of one another. She would act in the same way toward me.
For a variety of different reasons, shooting their final scenes together was an emotional experience. Not only was the television show coming to an end, but also the story of these close friends was coming to a close. Furthermore, they had been through it.
“There’s a line in there where I say, “I had the nicest time,” so look out for that. And I believe when we did it in the table read, it really shook me to the core because we really had shared some of the finest times — as well as some of the worst times — with one another “Cardellini added. “It struck a chord with each and every one of us. When you see us crying, the tears that you see are real tears because we know that we have to say goodbye. Even though we won’t be working together on the set anymore, our friendship will last a lifetime. When we glanced at each other while we were crying on the bed, we couldn’t help but chuckle at how ridiculous we looked. There was snot everywhere, and we both looked like a mess.”
Cardellini stated that it was like bidding farewell to their normal routine for the past three years, and she elaborated, “On set, we were able to put in a lot of quality time together. There are times when we work twelve-hour days, five days a week. When you spend years with someone, you get to observe how their lives evolve, both for the better and for the worse. Having a group that you can lean on while you’re going through some pretty remarkable circumstances is a really vital thing to have, and it’s something that we have. We had a really difficult time parting ways with one another. There were some very significant tears being shed by Jen and Judy, as well as Linda and Christina, but I believe that everyone was affected by it.”
Cardellini was able to pay tribute to her buddy during the ceremony where Applegate received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week. It was Applegate’s first time appearing in public since receiving the news of her diagnosis. Ahead of the event, the former cast member of Married With Children expressed concern that the public would see her “for the first time as a person with a disability.” Because multiple sclerosis can induce pain and numbness in the feet, she now walks with the assistance of a cane and decided against wearing shoes to the event.
During her remarks at the event, Cardellini praised Christina by saying that she is “a lovely person inside and out” as well as a “warrior for everybody she loves.” “She is the kind of friend and person that will always have your back, tell it like it is, and give without expecting anything in return. If you are fortunate enough to have her in your life, you can rest assured that you are supported to the utmost extent, that she will do everything that is within her power to help you, and that she will never fail to make you laugh no matter how hopeless the situation may appear to be.”
