Reese Witherspoon's Departure: Impact on Season 4 of The Morning Show

Reese Witherspoon's Departure: Impact on Season 4 of The Morning Show

Reese Witherspoon's return in The Morning Show Season 4 is assured, but her character's pivotal decision could lead to a diminished role as Bradley faces potential jail time

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Morning Show season 3 finale.

Article Overview

Reese Witherspoon's character, Bradley, faced challenging situations in season 3 of The Morning Show. However, Witherspoon's down-to-earth nature and compassionate approach facilitated the growth of her character. The renewal of The Morning Show for season 4 affirms that Reese Witherspoon, along with Jennifer Aniston, will reprise their roles as Bradley and another character respectively.

The season 3 finale of The Morning Show left viewers on a cliffhanger, raising the possibility of Reese Witherspoon's departure from the show in season 4. Having been a prominent cast member alongside Jennifer Aniston and others, Witherspoon and her production company Hello Sunshine have been integral to the success of the Apple TV+ series. However, the finale saw her character, Bradley, making the decision to surrender to the FBI, indicating a potential conclusion to her character arc.

Reese Witherspoon Will Return As Bradley In The Morning Show Season 4

Throughout both the two-year time jump between seasons and the present timeline, Bradley’s character in The Morning Show season 3 has undergone a series of challenges. From enduring the loss of her mother to experiencing two breakups with her girlfriend, concealing her brother’s illicit activities, and falling victim to a cyberhack, Bradley Jackson has faced numerous trials this season. Despite these extraordinary circumstances, Witherspoon beautifully portrays Bradley's wide range of emotions with a grounded and empathetic approach, allowing her character to mature in ways that we hope will be further explored in The Morning Show season 4.

The Morning Show season 4's renewal includes Witherspoon & Aniston in the cast

The announcement of The Morning Show season 4 renewal was made ahead of the streaming of season 3. Aniston and Witherspoon, who are both stars and co-executive producers of the show, were automatically confirmed to be part of the renewal. This suggests that Bradley and Alex will be returning for the fourth season of The Morning Show. Since then, there have been no reports indicating a potential departure of Witherspoon.

The Morning Show Season 3's Ending Perfectly Brought Bradley's Story Full-Circle

Fortunately, viewers won't have to discover what the show would be like without Witherspoon, as she and Bradley will return for season 4 to explain what happened after she turned herself in. While Bradley's character leaves things uncertain, the cliffhanger ending allows for an explanation in the upcoming season. In the past, the Apple TV+ drama has eliminated main characters, with Steve Carell's Mitch being killed off in season 2 of The Morning Show. However, Aniston and Witherspoon continue to be the show's main attractions.

Bradley is still the child who turned her father in to the authorities

The third season finale of The Morning Show commenced with nostalgic scenes portraying a young Bradley who had reported her father to the authorities after he caused a fatal accident due to drunk driving. This episode effectively drew parallels between her childhood encounters with her father and her current situation with her brother, thus bringing her personal journey to a poetic conclusion. Throughout The Morning Show season 3, Bradley has grappled with the burden of keeping her, Hal, and Cory's dark secret. However, in the finale, she and Hal finally reached a pivotal moment where they collectively decided to surrender themselves to the FBI.

Bradley's past in The Morning Show has always remained a constant presence, for better or worse. In the finale of season 3, The Morning Show cleverly mirrored the climactic events of the season 1 finale, essentially returning to its roots. By separating Witherspoon's character from much of the action and focusing on her current self, past experiences, and future aspirations, the season 3 finale not only showcased her personal growth but also revealed her true essence. Furthermore, the suspenseful cliffhanger ending emphasized that Bradley's story is far from over, with numerous exciting possibilities to be explored, perhaps even a redemption arc.

Bradley's Decision To Turn Herself In Could Mean A Smaller Role For Reese Witherspoon In Season 4

Bradley could be facing jail time in The Morning Show season 4

There is a possibility that Bradley could be implicated in the January 6 Capitol attack and may even face imprisonment in the season 3 finale of The Morning Show. It is uncertain whether she will be able to escape punishment, but it is highly unlikely that she will return to UBA and continue delivering the news in the near future. With this new development, Witherspoon's role in the upcoming season may be reduced, still being part of the ensemble but having her own distinctive storyline. A change in Bradley's involvement in The Morning Show season 4 could bring positive outcomes for the show as well as allow for the exploration of the narratives of other talented cast members and intriguing characters.

Where to Watch The Morning Show

Editor's P/S

Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Bradley Jackson in The Morning Show has been a standout performance, bringing depth and nuance to a character facing complex challenges. Despite the difficulties Bradley has faced in season 3, Witherspoon's compassionate approach has allowed her character to grow and mature. The renewal of the show for season 4 confirms Witherspoon's return, much to the delight of fans.

The season 3 finale left viewers on a cliffhanger, with Bradley making the decision to surrender to the FBI. This raises the possibility of a diminished role for Witherspoon in season 4, as her character faces potential jail time. However, the cliffhanger ending also leaves room for an explanation and redemption arc for Bradley. It will be interesting to see how the writers navigate Bradley's storyline in the upcoming season and how Witherspoon brings her character to life.