The Cleaning Lady premiered its third season on Tuesday night, with the first new episode airing since the passing of star Adan Canto earlier this year. Canto, known for his role as Arman Morales on the show, lost his battle with appendiceal cancer in January at the age of 42.
At the start of the March 5 episode, Fox paid tribute to Canto with a title card that read, “This season is dedicated to our beloved friend Adan Canto.” The show's co-showrunners Miranda Kwok and Jeannine Renshaw shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter on how the series decided to honor Canto and how his death impacted the season's direction.
Kwok mentioned that despite the shock of Canto's passing, they were aware of his struggles and his desire for privacy regarding his health issues. The original plan was to write Canto's character out temporarily due to his illness in December 2023, with hopes of bringing him back later on.
When Canto's death occurred, the showrunners had to adjust their plans. They decided to continue exploring Arman's character through the storyline involving his family, allowing viewers to learn more about him in a different way. In the premiere episode, Canto's face briefly appeared, achieved through creative methods to honor his wishes.
Renshaw noted that while Canto had kept the production team informed about his condition, his passing still came as a surprise. The showrunners expressed their shock and sadness at the loss of their colleague and collaborator.
The Cleaning Lady airs on Fox on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, offering viewers a chance to appreciate Canto's contributions to the show and his dedication to his craft.
