‘The Morning Show’ Ensemble Shines

As we prepare for the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Backstage is breaking down this year’s film and television ensemble work for your consideration. For more voting guides and roundups, we’ve got you covered here.

Main Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Beharie, Nestor Carbonell, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Jon Hamm, Greta Lee, Julianna Margulies, Karen Pittman, Reese Witherspoon 
Casting by: Victoria Thomas
Created by: Jay Carson and Kerry Ehrin 
Distributed by: Apple TV+

Each season of Jay Carson and Kerry Ehrin’s newsroom series has been more dramatic than the last, brimming with campy flourishes, bitter rivalries, and steamy workplace trysts. And though Season 3 was no exception, it also takes on stories ripped directly from the headlines, such as the January 6th insurrection and a looming network takeover by an Elon Musk–esque billionaire. But even as the show focuses on topical issues, the writers’ affinity for soap-opera theatrics is what keeps viewers hooked. Though reactions to the series’ sometimes over-the-top plotlines have been divided, its gripping performances and intimate directing style have never faltered.

Initially, “The Morning Show” centered on the rivalry between all-American news personality Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and her new co-anchor, field-reporting spitfire Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon). But as their feud abated, the series extended its focus far beyond the duo.

That was particularly true this year, as the writers spotlighted some of the supporting characters that populate the UBA universe. This includes Christine Hunter, a former athlete who joins the titular news show’s on-camera team. Nicole Beharie delivers a nuanced, graceful performance when a leaked email about the circumstances of Christine’s hiring lead her to confront racism in the workplace. Her composure turns to rage when she goes head-to-head with bigoted UBA board member Cybil Richards (Holland Taylor).

“Mad Men” Emmy winner Jon Hamm adds further dimension to Season 3 as Paul Marks, a conniving tech mogul whose mind games and power plays lead to explosive consequences for everyone in his blast zone. A master manipulator, Paul is a true charisma machine (unlike the real-life one percenter who inspired the character). His sexy undercover romance with Alex is both fun to watch and demonstrates the anchor’s own capacity for shrewdness.

Stella Bak (Greta Lee) becomes a major player on Season 3 when she steps into the role of UBA’s news director. There’s intrigue aplenty as the show dives into her backstory—including an ominous connection with the elusive Paul. As Stella’s ambition is put to the test, Lee delivers a riveting take that makes her one of the show’s top contenders for a SAG nod. The “Past Lives” star laces her performance with an undercurrent of anxiety, expressed in panicked glances and fingernails bitten down to the nibs.

“The Morning Show” also digs into the story of no-nonsense producer Mia Jordan (Karen Pittman) as she questions her workaholic tendencies in the aftermath of lockdown, which allowed her to have a personal life for the first time—specifically, embarking on a romance with a war reporter. Pittman delivers the season’s most heart-wrenching performance, as Mia makes tough sacrifices for the sake of her job and struggles with the emotional fallout of being unable to protect her lover in the field.

Billy Crudup continues to impress as Cory Ellison, the mercurial, showboating CEO of UBA. Though the character is power-hungry and desperate, the Emmy winner displays flashes of empathy; whether it’s genuine is up for debate. Either way, it makes for fascinating view. Cory’s tense visit with his mother gives us insight into the origins of his cutthroat nature.

This season, the Apple TV+ series blossomed into a true ensemble drama—and its cast had the chops to deliver.