Article Overview
Elizabeth Perkins joins the cast of The Morning Show season 3 as Elena, the president of rival network NBN, making a brief but memorable appearance.
Elena's character gains depth from her background as a reporter, indicating her prioritization of news over ratings, distinguishing her from certain network executives.
By advising Laura on navigating a personal predicament, Elena subtly reveals her ruthless mentality as a journalist, possibly foreshadowing her emergence as a formidable antagonist in season 4 of The Morning Show.
The Morning Show recently introduced Elena, a new character portrayed by veteran actress Elizabeth Perkins, in the final moments of season 3. Alongside other talented additions like Jon Hamm, Nicole Beharie, and Tig Notaro, Perkins' surprise appearance delighted many viewers. Although Elena only had a brief onscreen presence in episode 9 of season 3, she possesses intriguing qualities that could potentially elevate her role in season 4 of The Morning Show.
In her earlier career, Elizabeth Perkins gained recognition in the film industry with notable roles such as Susan Lawrence, Tom Hanks' love interest in Big, and Dorey Walker, the mother in the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street. Perkins has also achieved significant success on television, earning award nominations for her portrayal of Celia Hodes in Weeds, as well as delivering memorable performances in This Is Us, GLOW, Sharp Objects, and The Afterparty. The inclusion of Perkins adds an exciting element to The Morning Show, and viewers hope that Elena's story will extend beyond a brief scene.
Elizabeth Perkins Plays Elena, The President Of NBN In The Morning Show
UBA's rival network, NBN, has become a more prominent player in Season 3 of The Morning Show due to UBA's financial troubles and targeted cyberattack. Laura Peterson, who previously hosted UBA 365, has made a career switch to co-anchor NBN's Your Day, America alongside Audra, played by Mindy Kaling. This move has brought NBN to the forefront, and its president, Elena, has finally made an appearance.
Similar to UBA's Cory, Elena holds a position of power as NBN president. However, unlike Mr. Ellison, she appears to prioritize the news over ratings. It is possible that Laura's decision to leave UBA for NBN, following her breakup with Bradley, is influenced by Elena's genuine interest in journalism. This is evident as Laura seeks advice from Elena in episode 9. During her brief cameo, Elizabeth shares a personal anecdote from her time as a reporter, establishing her background and credibility prior to becoming NBN president.
Laura's Dilemma Sets Up Elizabeth Perkins As The Morning Show Season 4's New Villain
After discovering Bradley and Cory's secret in The Morning Show season 3, Laura faced a difficult decision. While she kept the details hidden from her boss, Elena deduced that the issue involved someone close to Laura, most likely Bradley. Elena urged Laura to uphold her journalistic ethics, even if it meant hurting someone she cared about. Despite Laura's assertion that she would handle the situation alone, Elena continued to use inclusive language, hinting at her potential involvement. While she expressed trust in Laura's ability to make the right choice, Elena's ruthless approach to journalism could potentially cast her as a new antagonist in The Morning Show season 4.
Throughout The Morning Show season 3, Bradley, Cory, and Hal had managed to keep their secret concealed for a year. Although Laura claimed she would not reveal what transpired on January 6 involving Bradley and Hal, there remained a possibility, particularly under Elena's influence. Additionally, Paul's knowledge of the secret made it unlikely for it to remain hidden for an extended period. Beyond this significant secret, Elena had various paths to becoming a villain, including the escalating rivalry between NBN and UBA and Cory's impending fate in The Morning Show season 3 finale.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the introduction of Elena in The Morning Show. Elizabeth Perkins is a talented actress, and I believe she will bring a lot to the role. I am particularly interested in seeing how her character develops in season 4. Will she become a formidable antagonist, or will she prove to be an ally to Laura? I think it's too early to say for sure, but I'm eager to find out.
I also appreciate that Elena is a complex character. She is a powerful woman in a male-dominated industry, and she is not afraid to use her power to get what she wants. However, she is also a journalist, and she believes in the importance of telling the truth. I think this makes her a very interesting character, and I can't wait to see what she does next.