[ad_1]
AppleTV+’s flagship series, The Morning Show, finished up season 2, and plenty of familiar faces came back, alongside some newcomers. The Morning Show premiered on Apple’s burgeoning streamer in November 2019, with stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon taking centerstage. The first season of The Morning Show followed Witherspoon’s character, Bradley Jackson, as she joined Aniston’s Alex Levy as co-host of the UBA network’s top-rated morning talk show. Bradley is brought in to replace Steve Carell’s Mitch Kessler, Alex’s on-air partner of 15 years, after being fired due to a sexual misconduct scandal.
Throughout the season, Bradley and Alex often clashed over their different approaches to broadcast journalism. Alex was more calm and calculated compared to Bradley’s spontaneous and emotional approach to the news. All of this plays out while UBA and the various members of The Morning Show’s crew deal with the unraveling of everything they thought they knew about Mitch and Alex. The Morning Show season 2 premiered on AppleTV+ on September 17, with episodes rolling out weekly, and most of the cast returned for the second season with some famous faces joining them.
Although The Morning Show season 1 cast included some big names, critics didn’t take so kindly to the show. The production value of the series was praised, but the timely messaging of the series came off as muddled to some. Still, the show landed several nominations at 2020’s Primetime Emmy Awards, including ones for Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston, Billy Crudup, and Mark Duplass. Mimi Leder was also nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. With reviews for The Morning Show season 2 praising the cast’s performances, including some of the newcomers, it’s safe to say that the series could show up at the 2022 Emmy Awards. Here’s every new and returning cast member in The Morning Show season 2.
Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy
At the end of The Morning Show season 1, Alex and Bradley expose all of the behind-the-scenes misconduct at UBA on air before the feed is unceremoniously cut off while Witherspoon’s character is talking. Alex is one of the lead characters of the series, and The Morning Show season 2 showed her in self-imposed exile at the start of the new episodes. Aniston is best known for her role as Rachel in the long-running sitcom Friends. Since the conclusion of that series in 2004, the actress has dabbled in everything from blockbuster comedies like Horrible Bosses to more dramatic roles like Cake. The Morning Show is Aniston’s big return to television – since Friends, she has had guest appearances on various sitcoms. Still, the AppleTV+ series is the first time the actress has taken on a lead role in a television series since 2004.
Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson
Reese Witherspoon is back as local correspondent turned national sensation, Bradley Jackson. The Morning Show season 1 saw Bradley join Alex as co-host of The Morning Show, and the pair’s relationship consistently shifted between enemies and friends. With Alex quitting as co-host at the beginning of season 2, Bradley is hosting The Morning Show with someone new by her side, but Alex’s inevitable return shakes things up once again as Bradley finds her footing. Witherspoon’s iconic career dates back to 1991, but her star-making turns in 1999’s Election and 2001’s Legally Blonde have led to more modern roles in hit prestige dramas like Big Little Lies, and Little Fires Everywhere, and Oscar-worthy movies like Walk the Line and Wild.
Steve Carell as Mitch Kessler
Steve Carell spent much of the first season in the background as everyone else at UBA tried to clean up his mess. Now, Mitch is back as the disgraced former co-host after the events of The Morning Show season 1 finale saw him and Chip (Mark Duplass) get into a physical altercation, as Bradley and Alex expose UBA on-air. He is shockingly killed off in season 2. Similar to Aniston and Witherspoon, Carell is one of the marquee names of The Morning Show, thanks to his role as Michael Scott in The Office and critically acclaimed comedies like The 40-Year Old Virgin and The Big Short.
Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison
Billy Crudup’s Cory Ellison was a key figure in The Morning Show season 1, as the UBA executive in charge of the news division. At the end of season 1, Cory allows Bradley and Alex to continue their on-air exposé and is replaced by Greta Lee’s character in the upcoming season. Still, Cory had a significant role in The Morning Show season 2. Crudup is perhaps best known for his roles in everything from Mission: Impossible III to Spotlight, and his iconic (albeit unrecognizable) turn as Dr. Manhattan in Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Watchmen.
Mark Duplass as Charlie « Chip » Black
Actor Mark Duplass’ Chip Black was the executive producer of The Morning Show in season 1, but when his involvement in the coverup of Mitch’s sexual misconduct is exposed, his standing at UBA is called into question. He is last seen watching on the streets of New York as Alex and Bradley give their on-air exposé, tears running down his face. Duplass began his career directing indie features like Baghead and Jeff, Who Lives At Home. He has gone on to star in films like Creep and Creep 2, as well as taking on roles in the sitcom The Mindy Project, and the Charlize Theron film Tully.
Karen Pittman as Mia Jordan
At the end of season 1, Karen Pittman’s Mia Jordan is a producer at The Morning Show who seems to be approving of Bradley and Alex’s exposing of the conduct at UBA. In The Morning Show season 2, Mia is hard at work on the show as alliances continue to shift around her. Pittman has appeared in various television shows and films, including brief stints in Evil and Yellowstone, and recurring roles in The Americans and Luke Cage.
New Characters in The Morning Show Season 2
Julianna Margulies as Laura Peterson
Julianna Margulies played Laura Peterson in The Morning Show season 2, a UBA news anchor who meets Bradley and Alex. Margulies is best known for her role as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife, but 2020 saw her take on a guest stint in Billions, continuing her storied television career that has seen her appear on everything from The Sopranos to ER.
Greta Lee as Stella Bak
Actress Greta Lee played Stella Bak in The Morning Show season 2, UBA’s first female president of its news division and its youngest. Stella occupied the role formerly filled by Billy Crudup’s Cory, and she’s in charge of shaping the future of The Morning Show. Before her role on The Morning Show, Lee has starred in hit series like Wayward Pines and Netflix’s Russian Doll, with brief appearances in Nurse Jackie, Girls, New Girl, and The Good Fight.
Hasan Minhaj as Eric Nomani
In The Morning Show season 2, Hasan Minhaj’s Eric Nomani replaced Alex Levy as Bradley’s co-host of the titular talk show. The comedian hosted his own Netflix show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, for six seasons, and a total of 40 episodes. He was also a correspondent on The Daily Show for over 100 episodes, making him perfect for the role.
The Morning Show Season 2’s Recurring Cast
Returning Characters
Marcia Gay Harden as Maggie Brenner: A reporter and journalist, Maggie Brenner was working on an exposé of UBA during the first season. She returned in The Morning Show season 2, still hard at work on her upcoming book. Harden is an Academy Award-nominated actress thanks to roles in Pollock and Mystic River, and has garnered acclaim for turns in Into the Wild and The Newsroom.
Bel Powley as Claire Conway: Another employee of The Morning Show, Claire was in a relationship with Nestor Carbonell’s Yanko Flores. Powley appeared in 2020’s The King of Staten Island opposite Pete Davidson, and also starred in The Diary of a Teenage Girl.
Néstor Carbonell as Yanko Flores: The Morning Show‘s meteorologist, Yanko was Claire’s boyfriend in season 1. Carbonell appeared on Lost for several seasons, and has also starred in The Dark Knight and Bates Motel.
Desean Terry as Daniel Henderson: An anchor at The Morning Show, Daniel will continued to work his way up the ladder in season 2. Terry has appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless, and Room 104.
Janina Gavankar as Alison Namazi: Another anchor at The Morning Show, Alison continued to serve as a correspondent on The Morning Show. Gavankar has appeared on Big Sky, Space Force, and Better Things.
Victoria Tate as Rena Robinson: Rena is Chip’s assistant on The Morning Show. Robinson has appeared in Greg the Bunny and Bougie.
Joe Marinelli as Donny Spagnoli: Donny is a television director on The Morning Show. Marinelli’s credits include NYPD Blue and Just Roll With It.
New Characters
Will Arnett as Doug Klassen: BoJack Horseman star Will Arnett made his Morning Show debut as Doug, Alex Levy’s agent, tasked with getting her career on track after quitting The Morning Show. Arnett’s comedy career has seen him star in Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and movies like Blades of Glory.
Holland Taylor as Cybil Richards: Taylor played a board member at UBA who dealt with the fallout from the events of The Morning Show season 1. Taylor has been working in the industry since 1965, starring in classics like Romancing the Stone and Legally Blonde.
Ruairi O’Connor as Ty Fitzgerald: New to The Morning Show, Ty Fitzgerald is a charismatic social media expert who came into contact with various figures at UBA. O’Connor recently appeared in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and the miniseries The Spanish Princess.
Valeria Golino as Paola Lambruschini: Golino plays a documentary filmmaker that Mitch meets while in Italy. The Italian actress and filmmaker has an illustrious career, and her most notable English-speaking films include Rain Man, Big Top Pee-wee, and both of the Hot Shots! movies. She’s the only actress to win two Best Actress awards at the Venice Film Festival.
Theo Iyer as Kyle: Theo Iyer’s Kyle is Cory’s assistant in The Morning Show season 2. The South African actor has made numerous television appearances, including How to Get Away With Murder and the Limitless TV series. The Morning Show acts as the breakout role of his career, as he appears in 7 out of the 10 episodes of The Morning Show season 2.
Patrick Bristow as Gordon: Gordon appears in four episodes of The Morning Show season 2, and he has a highly recognizable face. That’s because Patrick Bristow has been a comedian in the industry for quite a long time. The actor has had parts in Ellen, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Pain & Gain.
Katie Aselton as Madeleine: Madeleine is Chip’s love interest during the second installment of The Morning Show. Most may recognize her from The League and a small part on The Office, as Michael’s blood drive companion. Aselton is an accomplished producer and film director, who is married to Mark Duplass.
Jack Conley as Earl: Jack Conley is a veteran actor who plays the part of Earl during The Morning Show season 2. He got his start appearing in Heaven’s Gate, and he particularly enjoys roles in the mystery, thriller, and crime drama genres.
Erika Ringor as Mandy Schaeffer: Erika Ringor plays a small part in The Morning Show season 2, getting the most screentime in episode 2, « It’s Like The Flu. » Most recently, Ringor appeared in the sports biopic King Richard as Ms. Strickland. She also played Coach Harris in Diary of a Champion.
The Morning Show Season 2 Had Some Pretty Great Guest Stars
The Morning Show season 2 featured a long list of talented guest stars. The Foo Fighters made an appearance, before the tragic death of bandmember Taylor Hawkins. Canadian star David Foley also made his way to the show, playing Peter Bullard. Foley is known for being the co-founder of the popular sketch comedy group Kids in the Hall. Hocus Pocus watchers rejoiced as long-time comedian Kathy Najimy graced the screen as Sylvia Portman. Outside of Hocus Pocus, Najimy is known for Sister Act, Soapdish, and voicing Peggy Hill on King of the Hill. Character actor David Bowe played the bit part of Clyde Canter in The Morning Show season 2. Most may recognize him from Kicking & Screaming, Made in America, and Heavyweights. Finally, Patrick Fabian of Better Call Saul played a brief role on the show, appearing as Jeff.
[ad_2]