As The Morning Show Adds A Good Place Alum, I’m Flashing Back To What The Showrunner Told Us Is ‘Really Gratifying’ About Audience Reactions

As The Morning Show Adds A Good Place Alum, I'm Flashing Back To What The Showrunner Told Us Is 'Really Gratifying' About Audience Reactions

As a huge fan of both “The Morning Show” and “The Good Place,” I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that William Jackson Harper, best known for his role as Chidi in “The Good Place,” is joining the cast of “The Morning Show” for its fourth season. This news comes fresh on the heels of Manny Jacinto’s debut on “The Acolyte,” making it a great time to be a fan of these talented actors!


As a devoted fan of The Morning Show, I’m thrilled to bits about the upcoming fourth season on Apple TV+. Being someone who’s been hooked since its premiere, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement as we wait to discover what’s next for Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley and Jennifer Aniston’s Alex, not forgetting the other returning characters.

As The Morning Show Adds A Good Place Alum, I'm Flashing Back To What The Showrunner Told Us Is 'Really Gratifying' About Audience Reactions

William Jackson Harper Joins The Morning Show

William Jackson Harper, famously recognized for his role as Chidi, the perpetually indecisive character on “The Good Place,” has secured a new part in “The Morning Show.” According to TVLine, this is the latest addition to his acting resume. The new character, named Ben, will be portrayed by Harper and is introduced as a confident and forward-thinking executive at the network. Initially planned as a gay character, the role’s specifications were later altered.

At the moment I’m writing this, Harper has remained silent on the latest news, although he follows Manny Jacinto as the most recent “Good Place” cast member to gain attention, with Jacinto’s new show “The Acolyte.” Since the final episode of “The Good Place” in 2020, Harper has stayed active with various projects. Notably, these include Max’s “Love Life,” Peacock’s “The Resort,” Netflix’s “A Man in Full,” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” for Marvel Studios. Despite a small role in the MCU film, Harper has kept a full plate.

As a new gamer joining The Morning Show Season 4, I’m excited to share that Jeremy Irons will be joining the cast as Alex’s father, and Marion Cotillard will play Celine Dumont. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon will return in their leading roles, while Billy Crudup, Greta Lee, Mark Duplass, Karen Pittman, and Nestor Carbonell are anticipated to rejoin the series as regulars.

In summary, I’m thoroughly excited about William Jackson Harper joining our show for the upcoming fourth season. His past performances demonstrate his versatility in handling both dramatic and comedic roles. This recollection brought back a memory of a discussion I had with our showrunner Charlotte Stoudt earlier this year.

As The Morning Show Adds A Good Place Alum, I'm Flashing Back To What The Showrunner Told Us Is 'Really Gratifying' About Audience Reactions

What The Showrunner Told Us

I had a conversation with Charlotte Stoudt earlier this year prior to the Emmy nominations being revealed. During SCAD TVfest in Atlanta, the showrunner was on the verge of attending a screening of “The Morning Show” for a student audience. When I asked Stoudt about her thoughts on receiving feedback from live viewers, she replied:

It’s a great feeling to see the finished product and hear the reactions from the audience. During the creation process, there’s uncertainty about how it will be received – is it going to be very dramatic or more of a comedy-drama? Even during editing, there’s still doubt. I prefer letting the audience determine the genre because I don’t always know until then.

Creating a streaming series instead of a traditional TV program may mean wrapping up an entire season before fans can share their feedback. As a result, Charlotte Stoudt doesn’t always get to witness live reactions firsthand. When I inquired if she’s ever taken aback by the audience response, the showrunner chuckled and confessed:

As someone who has spent years in the entertainment industry, I can truly say that there’s nothing quite as rewarding as seeing an audience connect with a performance and laugh. Now, I don’t mean the cringe-worthy kind of laughter that comes from awkward moments or mistakes. I’m talking about the genuine, heartfelt chuckles that come when people find humor in the truth of a situation or character.

Mark Duplass has made a significant impact on “The Morning Show” since the beginning and was even nominated for an Emmy for his performance in Season 3. I was therefore pleased when Stoudt acknowledged him specifically. The mention of Duplass’ character ranting brought to mind one of William Jackson Harper’s hilarious scenes on “The Good Place.” In that episode, Chidi became unhinged and went on a lengthy rant about Jeremy Bearimy. Although the two scenes don’t directly correlate, it’s always enjoyable to recall Harper’s antics in “The Good Place”!

Certainly, “The Morning Show” left several unanswered questions at the end of its third season. Did the showrunner have the solutions prepared while creating the finale? I put this query to Charlotte Stoudt, and her response was:

In my opinion, not a sufficient number of them truly engage in the process, as they’re mainly focused on reaching the end goal. Yet, they possess an idea. An idea. My perspective is centered around the extended voyage each character undertakes. What are they striving for? What gaps remain unfilled? Which experiences will help them evolve and become more self-aware?

Apple TV+ has kept quiet about the release date for the fourth season of “The Morning Show.” However, you have the opportunity to revisit or watch the entire first three seasons that are currently available. Meanwhile, check out our 2024 TV schedule for alternative shows to keep you entertained while we wait for new episodes.

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2024-07-25 15:37