After three seasons, Dead to Me came to a bittersweet (and super sad) end on Netflix in November 2022. The final season left no stone, or ceramic bird, unturned and answered all of our questions and then some, and even included another appearance from Katey Sagal.
The Golden Globe-winning actress guest stars in Dead to Me as Eleanor Hale, the estranged mother of Linda Cardellini’s character Judy. We first meet Eleanor from jail in season 2, when Judy finally makes the decision to visit her mother.
As luck would have it, Judy repairs her relationship with Eleanor (well, as best as they can repair things) to an extent that she plays a vital role in helping out Jen and Judy. Who doesn’t love a good redemption arc? Especially when it’s played by an actress as gifted as Sagal.
But does Sagal get to act with former TV daughter Christina Applegate? It’s the question many probably ask while binge-watching Dead to Me, even more so for fans of Married… with Children. Let’s dive into the role Katey Sagal plays in the Emmy-nominated Netflix series.
While Katey Sagal makes her first appearances as Judy’s mother Eleanor in Dead to Me season 2, she and Christina Applegate don’t share a scene together until season 3 episode 9. Prior to that episode, Sagal’s scenes had been with Linda Cardellini (from jail at that).
In the penultimate episode of the series, Jen opens her front door to find Eleanor, who she first mistakes for Judy. Because they hadn’t met before, Jen asks if she knows who she is. Eleanor introduces herself as Judy’s mother and the two talk about Judy. The scene turns from comedic to emotional as Jen reveals Judy’s cancer diagnosis, but watching these two act together again is brilliant no matter the material.
Sagal and Applegate previously played mother and daughter Peg and Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married… with Children from 1987 to 1997. After starring together on television for 10 years and 11 seasons of a sitcom, Sagal and Applegate formed a tight bond. Sagal attended Applegate’s Walk of Fame ceremony in November 2022 and was by her TV daughter’s side the whole time during her speech.
In spite of their tight connection, Sagal and Applegate hadn’t appeared on screen together since the end of Married… with Children in 1997. Being so, it was nothing short of magical to see them finally back together, if only for one truly moving scene, in Dead to Me season 3.
What did you think of Katey Sagal’s role in Dead to Me? Share your thoughts in the comments, and make to sure to watch the complete series only on Netflix!
Next. Dead to Me season 3 recap guide: All 10 episodes explained. dark
