Harry Shum, Jr.: 'Glee stars supporting one another through Monteith grief'

Cory Monteith's Glee family has been "leaning on each other" as the cast and crew of the hit TV show return to work following his tragic death, according to actor Harry Shum, Jr..

The Canadian star died from a lethal mix of alcohol and heroin last month (Jul13) and Shum, Jr., who plays Mike Chang on the hit series, admits his loss continues to weigh heavily on his TV colleagues since resuming production on the show on 1 August (13).

He tells People.com, "We've all been leaning on each other. It's been a rough patch and a rough time. I don't know when that will ever end, that rough patch of losing a friend like that. It's so unexpected, but we're all leaning on each other."

Shum, Jr. adds of Monteith's onscreen and offscreen girlfriend Lea Michele: "Of course she's heartbroken, everyone is. But I think it's great that everyone is back at work and at least following through, and hopefully we can at least just get through this rough patch."

And Jane Lynch, who plays Coach Sue Sylvester, reveals she is tinged with sadness every time she passes Monteith's trailer on set.

She tells UsMagazine.com, "Everybody's doing differently. You know, it's tough. Everybody had a relationship with him and we all express our grief in different ways so I'll only speak for myself. I love him and I honor (him), and every day I go to work, I walk by his trailer and I go, 'He should be in there.'"

Glee creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are planning to address Monteith's death in the third episode of the upcoming season, which will serve as a tribute to the actor and his beloved character, Finn Hudson.

The new season is due to premiere in September (13).