Actress Lauren Weedman Battles Bell's Palsy on Set of 'Sirens'

In September 2025, actress Lauren Weedman revealed that she had developed Bell's palsy in August 2024 while filming the Netflix series 'Sirens'. The condition temporarily paralyzed the right side of her face, making it difficult for her to align her lips, close her right eye, and causing headaches and general malaise.

Rather than sitting out and waiting for the condition to improve, Weedman chose to be upfront with the 'Sirens' team about her situation. The show's creator, Molly Smith Metzler, was understanding and appreciative of Weedman's willingness to continue working. They decided to incorporate Weedman's Bell's palsy into her character's storyline, with the character mentioning the condition in one episode.

Despite the challenges, Weedman went on to reprise her roles in other shows like 'Hacks' and 'Abbott Elementary' during her recovery. The creators of those shows were also supportive, with 'Hacks' showrunner Lucia Aniello noting that they "just went with it" when Weedman said she wanted to shoot. Weedman's teen son also helped put the situation in perspective, reminding her that "this is your Bell's palsy era, that's all."