Home / Arts and Entertainment / TV Creator Apologizes to Mary Steenburgen Over Age Gaffe
TV Creator Apologizes to Mary Steenburgen Over Age Gaffe
20 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Creator aged Mary Steenburgen's character two years older.
- Character's age meant she performed at Woodstock in 1969.
- Steenburgen initially upset but forgave creator after explanation.
At a recent PaleyFest event in New York City, Michael Schur, the creator of the Netflix comedy "A Man on the Inside," publicly apologized to actress Mary Steenburgen. Schur admitted he had deliberately aged Steenburgen's character, Mona Margadoff, by two years for the second season of the show, a decision that initially upset the actress.
The discrepancy arose from a line in the premiere episode where Steenburgen's character mentions performing at Woodstock. Schur explained that this detail necessitated making the character 74, two years older than Steenburgen's actual age. Steenburgen recalled confronting Schur on set about her character's age, but ultimately accepted his explanation, finding it amusing.
The panel also featured discussions about the show's writing process and the positive energy on set. Steenburgen shared her feelings of gratitude and luck upon joining the cast, particularly working alongside her husband, Ted Danson, who also stars in the series. "A Man on the Inside" follows Danson's character, a retired private investigator.
