The Morning Show's Power Play: Apple TV+ Banks on Aniston-Witherspoon Magic

Olivia Bennett, 9/17/2025Apple TV+ green-lights season five of "The Morning Show" before season four's debut, signaling confidence in its star-studded lineup led by Aniston and Witherspoon. With new cast additions and a fresh take on pressing media issues, the show continues to captivate amid a chaotic landscape.

The early renewal lands just as season four prepares to make its splash this Wednesday. And darlings, this season's looking juicier than a tabloid headline during sweeps week. Set against the backdrop of 2024's media landscape (remember when we thought 2023 was chaotic?), the show dives headfirst into the aftermath of the UBA-NBN merger. Because apparently, one media empire wasn't dramatic enough.

Matt Cherniss, Apple TV+'s head of programming, called the show "a standout from the very start." Well, that's putting it mildly – like saying the Met Gala is just another Monday night party.

The casting department deserves a raise, frankly. They've managed to snag both Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons – because apparently, this show didn't have enough acting firepower already. Irons steps in as Aniston's father, which promises to be the kind of complicated family dynamic that makes "Succession" look like "The Brady Bunch." Then there's Boyd Holbrook, channeling some serious Joe Rogan energy as a provocative podcaster. Because what's morning television without a dash of controversy?

Speaking of our leading ladies... Jennifer Aniston's Alex Levy continues her reign from what they're calling a "new perch" – though anyone who's watched more than five minutes of this show knows that in morning television, today's throne is tomorrow's hot seat. Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon's Bradley Jackson grapples with her brother's January 6 involvement. Nothing like a little family drama to spice up those morning segments, right?

The show's taking an interesting approach to election coverage this time around. Rather than diving straight into the political circus (haven't we all had enough of that?), showrunner Charlotte Stoudt's team is "going at it sideways." They're asking the questions nobody else dares to touch – like why two older white men were our only options. Again.

What's particularly refreshing about "The Morning Show" is how it manages to keep viewers glued without relying on dragons, zombies, or whatever CGI creature is trending this week. Sometimes all you need is ambition, betrayal, and hair that somehow stays perfect through three crisis meetings and a breaking news segment.

The ensemble cast reads like a Hollywood dream team – Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Jon Hamm. At this point, they might as well rename it "The Star-Studded Show." Michael Ellenberg, MediaRes CEO, promises the new season gives this "cast and creative team even more room to shine." More room? They're already burning brighter than a Times Square billboard.

But perhaps that's exactly what makes "The Morning Show" Apple TV+'s crown jewel. In a landscape cluttered with predictable plots and recycled storylines, it dares to hold up a mirror to our media-obsessed world – perfectly styled hair and all.

Talk about a power move in the streaming wars. Apple TV+ just flexed its muscles by green-lighting season five of "The Morning Show" before season four even hits the airwaves. That's the kind of confidence you'd expect from a network sitting on television gold – and with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon leading the charge, who could blame them?The early renewal lands just as season four prepares to make its splash this Wednesday. And darlings, this season's looking juicier than a tabloid headline during sweeps week. Set against the backdrop of 2024's media landscape (remember when we thought 2023 was chaotic?), the show dives headfirst into the aftermath of the UBA-NBN merger. Because apparently, one media empire wasn't dramatic enough.Matt Cherniss, Apple TV+'s head of programming, called the show "a standout from the very start." Well, that's putting it mildly – like saying the Met Gala is just another Monday night party.The casting department deserves a raise, frankly. They've managed to snag both Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons – because apparently, this show didn't have enough acting firepower already. Irons steps in as Aniston's father, which promises to be the kind of complicated family dynamic that makes "Succession" look like "The Brady Bunch." Then there's Boyd Holbrook, channeling some serious Joe Rogan energy as a provocative podcaster. Because what's morning television without a dash of controversy?Speaking of our leading ladies... Jennifer Aniston's Alex Levy continues her reign from what they're calling a "new perch" – though anyone who's watched more than five minutes of this show knows that in morning television, today's throne is tomorrow's hot seat. Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon's Bradley Jackson grapples with her brother's January 6 involvement. Nothing like a little family drama to spice up those morning segments, right?The show's taking an interesting approach to election coverage this time around. Rather than diving straight into the political circus (haven't we all had enough of that?), showrunner Charlotte Stoudt's team is "going at it sideways." They're asking the questions nobody else dares to touch – like why two older white men were our only options. Again.What's particularly refreshing about "The Morning Show" is how it manages to keep viewers glued without relying on dragons, zombies, or whatever CGI creature is trending this week. Sometimes all you need is ambition, betrayal, and hair that somehow stays perfect through three crisis meetings and a breaking news segment.The ensemble cast reads like a Hollywood dream team – Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Jon Hamm. At this point, they might as well rename it "The Star-Studded Show." Michael Ellenberg, MediaRes CEO, promises the new season gives this "cast and creative team even more room to shine." More room? They're already burning brighter than a Times Square billboard.But perhaps that's exactly what makes "The Morning Show" Apple TV+'s crown jewel. In a landscape cluttered with predictable plots and recycled storylines, it dares to hold up a mirror to our media-obsessed world – perfectly styled hair and all.