Would Zane Phillips' Two Guest Spots On Mid-Century Modern Lead To More Appearances Next Season?

Mid-Century Modern is a new television series which premiered in March on Hulu. The ten-episode first season was well-received by audiences. The plot centers around Bunny Schneiderman, played by Nathan Lane, inviting his friends Jerry, played by Matt Bomer, and Arthur, played by Nathan Lee Graham, to share his mid-century Palm Springs home. At the start of the season, Bunny shared the home with his mother Sybil, played by Linda Lavin. However, the character of Sybil passed away after Linda died of lung cancer during the show's production.

The series also included a number of memorable guest stars. One of these guest stars was actor Zane Phillips. Zane played the role of Mason opposite Matt's Jerry. The two shared some steamy moments on screen together. However, there was a lot the two characters had in common and Mason even returned in the season finale. It certainly looks like the character is being set up to become a more recurring part of the series.

Mason Appeared In An Episode Mid-Season And Unexpectedly Returned In The Season Finale

Zane Phillips' guest spot on the first season of Mid-Century Modern extended beyond a single episode. Zane played the role of Mason, a guy Matt Bomer's Jerry meets while on Fire Island. The two begin what viewers think is leading up to a fling. However, things take a turn when Jerry finds out that Mason is actually engaged to a woman. Mason reveals that he is Mormon and plans on living a life in the closet.

This especially rings true to Jerry, as he was previously part of the Mormon church and married to a woman. His past makes him feel a deeper connection with Mason and, as a result, the mood switches rapidly.

The scene handles the situation with respect, but doesn't veer too far from the comedic flare audiences want to see. While the guys share a memorable exchange, complete with a steamy make-out session, they don't go further. It comes to an end before it even began, but Jerry decides it wouldn't be right given Mason's predicament.

During their conversation, Jerry and Mason talk about their positive memories of the church. The two even sing a Mormon hymn together they both grew up with. Jerry, who has since left the church, asks Mason why he doesn't leave the church. He tells Mason that "they hate us." Mason then responds by saying that while they're wrong, they're also human. The two then share a hug and Mason leaves. It's probably safe to say that Jerry never expected to see Mason again after that moment.

However, that's exactly what happens when Mason unexpectedly shows up at Jerry's doorstep in Palm Springs in the season finale. Jerry is understandably shocked to see him and even more surprised by what Mason says. Mason confesses to Jerry that he left his fiancé at the altar. When Jerry asks for specifics, Mason tells him that he simply told everyone he was going to the bathroom. Mason said that his decision was inspired by Jerry telling him to stay true to himself while they were at Fire Island.

Mason then asks Jerry if he can stay at the house, to which he happily accepts. Jerry tells him that there's an extra room, since Bunny's mother, Sybil, had just passed away. However, the rest of the guys aren't happy with this. They tell Jerry he was wrong to invite Mason to stay without consulting them first.

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They also convince Jerry that he isn't the person who is responsible for fixing Mason's problems. This is something Mason has to do himself. Bunny's sister breaks the news to Mason that he will not be able to stay at the house. He then tells Jerry that he is going back to Utah and coming out of the closet. Jerry wishes Mason well and tells him that he will help him find a hotel in Palm Springs if he needs someplace else to go.

Zane Revealed The Mid-Century Modern Cast Member That Left Him Starstruck

Shortly after the premiere of Mid-Century Modern, Zane spoke to PRIDE at the grand opening of The Tryst Puerto Vallarta. Zane talked about the positive reception the series has been getting. According to the actor, he had some deep-rooted concerns about what others might think of the sitcom. This clearly had to do with past LGBTQ+ representation in the media and the often homophobic response from the public.

"I am so chuffed that people have been responding so well to the show! With queer content, you always have this thing in the back of your mind that people are going to say it's too queer," Zane said before explaining the point of the show. "It's about sticking with the people who take care of you! The performances are incredible. I felt so lucky to be on that set."

Zane also spoke about his scenes with Matt Bomer and the exchange their characters shared. According to Zane, the conversation might not be what audiences expected. However, he made it clear that while people might be lured in by seeing the two actors kiss, they will be witnessing something much more meaningful.

"It's such a bait and switch!" he observed. "If you saw that clip, you would not know that our story that episode ends with us talking about God. I feel bad for the folks who just came for the boys kissing. They're getting something a little more real than that!"

At the same event, Zane spoke with Gayety about his experiences on set. Zane revealed that his first day on set happened to also be election day. According to Zane, Linda Lavin performed an impromptu song on the piano, which she would also sing in a future episode. Zane said he was very moved by this memorable moment. “It was probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said.

When recalling what it was like to work with actors like Linda and Nathan Lane, Zane admitted he was starstruck. Zane said that he felt humbled and honored to be working alongside such accomplished, incredible actors.

“It’s really wacky,” Zane began. “I was on set and I was looking at Nathan Lane and I was like, 'You’re Timon.' It’s probably the first movie I’ve ever seen. And so just being in a room with these legends and they were all so kind and so funny.”

Zane said the experience of being on set was a “master class,” saying he learned a lot not just from their talent, but their kindness. “I always want to be surrounded by people who I can learn from and who are kind enough to impart their knowledge and their skills with me,” he revealed.

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While his time on the series has been great, Zane said he makes sure to keep himself grounded. He also said that there is a balance between working hard and having good luck when it comes to accomplishing a goal. Zane isn't negating the reality of either factor in getting him to that set. “You have to start telling yourself it wasn’t just luck that I’m in this room,” he told the outlet. Zane said that he has tremendous gratitude for the experience, and he doesn't lose sight of that.

Will Zane Be Returning To Mid-Century Modern For Season 2?

The future of Mid-Century Modern remains a mystery. Although the series was well-received when it premiered back in March, it has yet to be renewed for a second season. The co-creators of the sitcom, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, recently spoke to Deadline about what could possibly happen in a second season. The two men also co-created the hit series Will & Grace.

“Maybe Karen’s [Megan Mullally] invisible husband Stan will show,” David quipped. He was referring to the Will & Grace character who was often mentioned, but never seen on screen. The two were then asked about a possible crossover between Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern, but Max shot that idea down. “I don’t think we’re gonna do that,” he said.

Unfortunately, Zane's future in the series is also a mystery. It has not been confirmed if his character will return, but it does seem telling that he wasn't limited to one episode. Not only did he return for another episode, but it was the season finale, which is a significant episode to appear in. There's also the possible storyline that could develop between Mason and Jerry. It does look like there is some potential there.

One person who will sadly not be returning to Mid-Century Modern is Linda Lavin. She passed away from cardiopulmonary arrest at 86 years old. Her cause of death was described by her PR rep as a “complication from recently discovered lung cancer” at the time of her death in December 2024. In a recent interview with TV Line, David and Max revealed that Sybil’s death was actually Linda’s idea.

“When she was diagnosed with [lung cancer], she was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to respond to this, but whatever it is, write it into the character,’” David revealed. Max then said, “Only David, Nathan [Lane], and I knew kind of what was going on, and she was very clear to the three of us that she wanted us to tell the truth. And certainly she had no idea that it was going to go to the place that it went to.”

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He added, “But she had talked about it with us and her husband, Steve Bakunas, so when it happened, that gave us the go-ahead and the comfort and the freedom as writers to sit down with Steve and say, ‘Hey, we’d like to actually write the last day the way that it happened and make that our story.’ And without skipping a beat, Steve said, ‘Of course that’s what you have to do, because that’s what Linda would want you to do.’”