“The Morning Show” is good at covering current events, such as the MeToo movement, space travel, and, in season 4, AI. And the reflection of what’s happening in the real world will likely continue into season five.
“I think we’re going to lean into what’s going on right now. The current situation is mind-boggling. The world is turned upside down, but how do we get past this world of half-truths? What is the truth? Yes, the Epstein file is where it is right now,” executive producer and director Mimi Rieder said ahead of Variety’s screening of the final episode in Los Angeles on Nov. 19. “I’m not saying we’re doing that, I’m just saying it’s been a consistent theme from the beginning of our show, from the Me Too movement to where we are today with the files being made public. Let’s hope there’s some justice for these women.”
Mark Duplass also hopes the show will address current attacks on journalism. “I’d love to see a big storyline next season where a guy in a position of power gets fired for calling someone a pig in a press conference,” he said ahead of the panel discussion.
Also on the panel were showrunner Charlotte Stout, casting director Victoria Thomas, executive producer Kristin Hahn, executive producer and star Jennifer Aniston, and actors Boyd Holbrook and Karen Pittman.
JC Olivera
Reeder said that the scene in the season 4 finale where Mia walks into Celine’s office and looks around was filmed the day after the election in which Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump, and emotions were high on set.
“It was, is there a chance that Mia could take over her powers? Will she get there? We knew the state of the world and what was going on, and it was scary,” said Reeder, who directed the episode. “We just wanted to capture the moment when Mia was touching the desk with her long nails up, and we just wanted to see what was in the room…We clearly said, ‘We’re not done yet. We have to fight the battle, and we still are.’
Stout added that there are many current issues the show could tackle going forward, as the goal is to be “emotionally resonant” and give viewers a look at “what it’s like to be in America.”
“We’re not just talking about the 47th president. That’s not all there is to talk about. There’s also the part of how we can look at the whole situation and pull out some interesting things,” she asked. “For example, why do the seven richest people in the world have such strong feelings about journalism? And should they be allowed to control those things?”
Pittman agreed with Stout’s question and said, “No, you shouldn’t do that.”
It looks like Jon Hamm’s Paul will be returning next season. During the panel discussion, the group was kept quiet about it, but their leader confirmed to Variety in advance that Hamm would be returning for Season 5.
“Jon Hamm is coming back. Is that a spoiler? Who cares?” she laughed. “He’ll be back. He’s a hamster. We love him.”
Watch all panels from “The Morning Show” event above. All four seasons are available to stream on Apple TV+.
