Catherine O'Hara: Legendary Canadian-American Actress

Exclusive: Catherine O'Hara Returns to Her Roots in New Animated Feature “Mapleworth”

Toronto, ON – January 15, 2026 – Fresh off her acclaimed dramatic turn in last year’s indie darling The Later Years, comedy legend Catherine O’Hara is heading back to the recording booth—and back to Canada—for her next project. O’Hara has signed on to voice the lead role in Mapleworth, an animated feature from a new partnership between the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Netflix, announced today.

The film, described as a “warm, whimsical, and slightly peculiar folk tale,” will see O’Hara play Agatha Mapleworth, a reclusive folk artist living in a wind-powered cottage in the Maritimes whose intricate woodcarvings secretly come to life. The role is a homecoming in more ways than one, tapping into O’Hara’s iconic ability to blend eccentricity with profound heart.

A Career in Full Bloom

At 71, O’Hara shows no signs of slowing down. The past few years have been a testament to her range: following the cultural phenomenon of Schitt’s Creek, she deftly avoided typecasting. In 2024, she published the well-received collection of humorous essays, Observational Deck, and in 2025, she earned some of the best reviews of her career for her subdued performance in The Later Years, a film about a former pianist reconciling with her past.

“Catherine has this unparalleled ability to pivot from broad, iconic comedy to nuanced, quiet drama,” said Mapleworth director Mirabel Chen in a press statement. “Agatha requires both—a woman whose exterior is all quirky habits and unique vocal rhythms, but whose interior world is vast, creative, and deeply emotional. There is simply no one else who could do it.”

A New Generation of Fans

O’Hara’s influence continues to ripple through a new cohort of creators. At last year’s TIFF Tribute Awards, where she was honored for her career achievement, rising star (and fellow Canadian) Iman Vellani presented the award, citing O’Hara’s work as a direct inspiration for her own comedic timing. “She taught us that being specific, being weird, and being kind are not mutually exclusive,” Vellani said.

O’Hara herself remains characteristically self-effacing about her status as a mentor. In a brief virtual interview from her home in Los Angeles, she told us, “It’s lovely to be asked for advice. I usually just tell people to listen—to the other actors, to the script, to that little voice that tells you if a choice is honest or just showing off. Also, wear comfortable shoes on set. That’s key.”

What’s on the Horizon?

Mapleworth is slated for a holiday 2026 release. Beyond animation, O’Hara is also attached to executive produce and potentially guest star in The Rose Garden, a limited-series prequel to Schitt’s Creek focusing on a young Moira Rose’s early acting days in regional theatre. The project, greenlit by CBC and Hulu, is in early development with co-creator Dan Levy consulting.

When asked about revisiting the world of Schitt’s Creek, O’Hara was cautiously optimistic. “It would depend entirely on the script. Dan is a protector of that world, as he should be. If he and the writers found a moment for Moira that feels true and adds something new, not just nostalgic, I’d be curious. But my wigs are in storage, let’s say that.”

For now, all attention is on Agatha Mapleworth. With O’Hara’s voice at its center, Mapleworth is poised to be the kind of charming, character-driven story that transcends age—a quality that defines the actress’s own legendary career.

About Catherine O’Hara: The Order of Canada recipient is a two-time Emmy Award winner, a Grammy winner, and the author of Observational Deck (2024). Her career spans from the seminal comedy of SCTV to Oscar-nominated films (*After Hours, Beetlejuice*), and the global television phenomenon Schitt’s Creek.