During the last season of Dead to Me, the actress Christina Applegate talks about her MS problems, turning a personal battle into a powerful story.
- The first signs of MS showed up during the pilot episode.
- An Emmy-nominated act turned into a healing trip that no one expected.
In the last few episodes of her highly praised show Dead to Me, Christina Applegate had to deal with an unexpected co-star: MS. What started as small changes in the balance while shooting would turn into a huge change in my personal and work life.
In a recent podcast show, Applegate talked openly about how she first dealt with the worsening brain disease. She remembered having strange calls while filming the pilot. These were early signs of what would later be known as multiple sclerosis.
Liz Feldman, who created the show, remembers seeing how difficult it was for Applegate during long nights of filming.
Feldman first thought that her coworker’s problems were caused by being tired, but later she realized that these times were signs of a greater health journey.
Even though she was diagnosed in August 2021, Applegate showed a lot of strength by finishing the last season of the show.
Her performance transcended mere acting, offering a candid exploration of the concepts of weakness and strength.
The actor found an unusual way to deal with her stress through her role on the show, which she used to process her medical news.
“It gave me a weird way to deal with it,” Applegate said, explaining how scenes on screen became very personal statements of how she felt inside.
Her co-stars and the production team were always there for her, and Feldman made sure that Applegate’s health came before her work duties.
The crew’s caring attitude, which included stopping production when needed, showed how important it is to connect with others when things are hard.
Applegate had an amazing attitude of thanks and openness the whole way through her journey. Her work in Dead to Me, for which she was nominated for an Emmy, not only showed off her outstanding acting skills but also brought more attention to the struggles of people with multiple sclerosis.
By turning her problem into a strong story, Applegate has given viewers a close look at how difficult it is to deal with a life-changing diagnosis while still doing a fantastic job at work.