After rebooting a beloved 80s anthology series, Apple has added another entry to its scripted series lineup with an untitled morning show drama series project that will star and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. The project was given a two-season straight-to-series order.
The morning show series, which will produce 10 episodes a season, comes from studio Media Res, with founder Michael Ellenberg also executive producing. Based on an original idea by Ellenberg, the series is written and executive produced by Jay Carson (House of Cards), who will serve as showrunner. It is described as an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning, exploring the unique challenges faced by the women (and men) who carry out this daily televised ritual.
Apple is venturing to original scripted series foray with Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg heading the worldwide video programming division. In a competitive situation with multiple networks pursuing, Apple was able to land the project, employing a model similar to Netflix with straight-to-series orders and premiums over cost. A few years ago, Netflix was able to land House of Cards by giving it a two-season straight-to-series order just like this one. Apple recently gave a straight-to-series order for the reboot of Amazing Stories that will be executive produced by Bryan Fuller.
This is Witherspoon’s first series regular role since starring in the HBO limited series Big Little Lies in which she won an Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series as producer while this is Aniston’s first series regular role since the hit sitcom Friends ended. This will serve as a reunion for them after Witherspoon’s guest turn on Friends as Aniston’s sister. Brian Stelter’s book Top of the Morning had been optioned to provide additional background material, and Stelter will serve as a consultant on the series.
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