The Morning Show debuted as one of Apple TV+'s first big original series back in November 2019, and the new streaming service wasted no time in renewing the Jennifer Aniston- and Reese Witherspoon-led drama for a second season. Like many other shows, The Morning Show had to halt production on new episodes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but fans are in for some good news. Not only is the show returning the production, but a big actor whose future on the show was uncertain will be back.
The Morning Show is returning to production with filming intended to restart on October 19, according to Deadline, which further reports that Steve Carell will be back. Carell, who made a splash earlier this year on another streaming service, had signed a one-year deal to appear in the show's first season. The confirmation of his return means that Mitch Kessler's story can continue on screen!
The Apple TV+ show began production back in March without any public confirmation that Steve Carell would be back, and was reportedly finishing filming on the first two episodes of the second season when The Morning Show became one of the many shows to halt due to pandemic precautions. That's not to say that the Morning Show team has simply been waiting to restart production on the scripts that had already been planned.
According to actor Mark Duplass, who plays The Morning Show's in-universe executive producer Chip Black, revealed to Deadline in August that the writers were "rewriting" in light of the pandemic, like with the Season 1 rewrites to incorporate the #MeToo movement.
It's not clear at this point whether The Morning Show will be one of the upcoming returning TV shows to make the pandemic a key plot point or if Steve Carell's return is tied to the rewrites, but fans can at least be encouraged that the show is moving forward on Season 2. Carell reportedly hadn't filmed any scenes for the first two episodes before the shutdown.
Also returning to The Morning Show for Season 2 on top of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell are Billy Crudup (who won the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Emmy for his role on the show), Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, Bel Powley, Karen Pittman and Desean Terry. Gugu Mbatha-Raw will not be back, reportedly due to her character's story. She landed a big new streaming project following The Morning Show Season 1 thanks to Disney+, though!
The Morning Show was already making headlines well before its premiere in November 2019 due to the huge budget, which wasn't altogether surprising considering the cast was headlined by Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell. That said, it ranked itself among the most expensive TV shows ever, which is no small feat!
Although Billy Crudup was the only member of the Morning Show team to get an Emmy delivery this year, the show also earned several more nominations, including Jennifer Aniston for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, Steve Carell for Outstanding Lead Actor, Mark Duplass for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Martin Short for Outstanding Guest Actor.
You can watch the first season of The Morning Show streaming on Apple TV+ now. For some upcoming viewing options during the wait for the second season, be sure to check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule!
