Julianna Margulies Exits “The Morning Show”: What Fans Need To Know
In a surprising twist, Julianna Margulies will not be returning for Season 4 of The Morning Show. Julianna, who portrayed Laura Peterson, the on-again-off-again love interest of Reese Witherspoon’s character Bradley Jackson, has decided to step away from the Apple TV+ series.
Julianna, 58, joined the show in its second season, bringing her Emmy-winning talent to play an LGBTQ+ character. Her role sparked conversations about the casting of cisgender, heterosexual actors in LGBTQ+ roles. Addressing these concerns in a 2021 interview with CBS Mornings, Julianna explained, “I understand 100 percent that I can’t play a different race, but I am an actress, and I am supposed to embody another character. Whatever their sexuality is doesn’t matter to me, the same way watching a gay person play a straight person.”
Recent controversies have also surrounded Margulies. In 2023, she faced backlash for comments perceived as critical of the Black and LGBTQ+ communities regarding their support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Responding to the criticism, Margulies told PEOPLE that she was “horrified by the fact that statements I made on a recent podcast offended the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities [that] I truly love and respect.”
“I want to be 100% clear: Racism, homophobia, sexism, or any prejudice against anyone’s personal beliefs or identity are abhorrent to me, full stop. Throughout my career I have worked tirelessly to combat hate of all kind, end antisemitism, speak out against terrorist groups like Hamas, and forge a united front against discrimination,” she stated, adding, ”I did not intend for my words to sow further division, for which I am sincerely apologetic.”
Despite these controversies, Julianna’s decision to leave the show was made before the backlash. According to Variety, she turned down an offer to appear in just one episode of Season 4.
Production for the fourth season of The Morning Show is set to begin in July, with Reese and Jennifer Aniston returning as stars and executive producers. Fans can also expect to see Billy Crudup, Greta Lee, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell and Karen Pittman.
