Summary
The Morning Show season 3, episode 8 pays a heartfelt tribute to Hannah Schoenfeld, a beloved character whose story tragically ended in season 1.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw played a pivotal role in the talented ensemble of The Morning Show season 1, portraying the character Hannah. Her influence continues to be evident in the current timeline.
The death of Hannah became a driving force for transformation, heightening Bradley's determination to defend women and share their narratives with even greater purpose.
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Morning Show season 3, episode 8.
This article contains a discussion of sexual assault and drug overdose.
In The Morning Show season 3, episode 8, a heartfelt tribute was paid to Hannah Schoenfeld, whose story tragically concluded in the season 1 finale. While season 3 has introduced numerous new characters to The Morning Show cast, there have also been several departures since its initial premiere four years ago. Among these notable characters was Hannah Schoenfeld, who was adored by her colleagues at UBA and viewers of The Morning Show.
Hannah, brilliantly portrayed by British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw in season 1 of The Morning Show, has since moved on to other projects. She has starred in Apple TV+'s Surface and gained recognition for her role as Ravonna Renslayer in Disney+'s Loki series. The Morning Show has always boasted an impressive ensemble cast, and Mbatha-Raw played a pivotal role in that talented lineup. Although Hannah's time on the show was relatively brief, she is fondly remembered and her influence still lingers in the current timeline.
Hannah Shoenfeld Was UBA's Former Talent Booker Who Was Sexually Assaulted By Mitch Kessler
Hannah, the head talent booker for The Morning Show in season 1, was known for her friendly and charming demeanor, which made her well-liked among the staff. She played a crucial role in the series by bringing Bradley to New York for an interview with Alex, ultimately leading to Bradley replacing Mitch Kessler after his termination due to sexual harassment.
As season 1 of The Morning Show unfolded, more details emerged about Mitch's past behaviors and how he had managed to evade consequences for so long. In episode 8, a flashback revealed Hannah's tragic experience during Mitch's 50th birthday party and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. As a junior booker at the time, Hannah was subjected to a disturbing scene where Mitch raped her.
Upon their return to New York, Hannah tearfully reported the incident to Fred, but he callously interrupted her to commend her work and offered her a promotion to silence her.
Hannah Died Of A Drug Overdose In The Morning Show's Season 1 Finale
Mitch spent the majority of the first season of The Morning Show desperately attempting to share his perspective. This ultimately led him to seek support from Bradley, and later from Hannah, whom he implored to corroborate his side of the story, emphasizing that he owed her. Mitch firmly believed that Hannah had willingly engaged in a sexual relationship with him, utilizing him as a means to advance her career. Despite Hannah's denial of this claim, Mitch manipulated her into assisting him anonymously, coercing her into compliance just to finally cease his harassment. Meanwhile, Hannah aspired to escape from New York and start anew, as UBA had offered her a promotion to a producer position in Los Angeles.
Hannah was initially resistant to speaking with Bradley for her interview with Mitch on The Morning Show, expressing her reluctance to be a representative for Bradley's cause. In addition to grappling with her own complex feelings of guilt, Hannah eventually had a change of heart and decided to confide the truth to Bradley in a private and highly emotional manner. Despite Bradley's attempts to offer support, Hannah remained determined to move on. Tragically, Hannah never had the opportunity to do so, as she passed away from a drug overdose shortly after her conversation with Bradley.
How Hannah's Death Changed The Morning Show & Bradley's Future At UBA
Blaming herself for Hannah's death, Bradley attributed it to the close timing of their conversation and the subsequent overdose. She believed that she had pushed an already emotionally vulnerable Hannah beyond her limits. Overwhelmed by guilt, Bradley considered leaving The Morning Show entirely. However, Alex and Cory managed to persuade her otherwise, urging her to remain and expose Fred live on-air during the season 1 finale. This pivotal moment not only turned Bradley and Alex into feminist icons, but also granted Bradley a newfound power as the show's newcomer. With Fred's termination, Bradley used her elevated status to advocate for Cory's promotion to CEO, resulting in a transformative shift at UBA.
Hannah's tragic demise had a profound impact on The Morning Show, leaving a lasting mark on the storyline. In the second season, Hannah's father initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against UBA, serving as a stark reminder of the various characters' complicity in Mitch's widespread sexual misconduct and the resulting loss of Hannah's life. In the eighth episode of the third season, the staff assembled to pay tribute to her on the third anniversary of her passing, ensuring that she will forever remain in their hearts. Hannah's untimely death not only altered Bradley's trajectory at UBA but also fueled her determination to safeguard women's well-being and amplify their voices in The Morning Show.