Jennifer Aniston, best known for her iconic role as Rachel Green in Friends, has found a whole new side of herself in Apple TV’s The Morning Show. The 50-year-old actress recently opened up about how much she enjoyed playing the intense and emotionally explosive character Alex Levy — a woman under pressure, on the brink, and not afraid to show it.
Aniston, who stars alongside her longtime friend and fellow actress Reese Witherspoon, revealed that stepping into the shoes of a woman fueled by anger was both liberating and fun. “My character has a lot of rage. I have meltdowns, which were really fun to do because, as a rule, I just don’t do that in my personal life,” Aniston shared. The Emmy-winning actress is not only the lead in the series but also serves as executive producer, giving her a deeper stake in the creative process.
“It’s just a dream,” she said. “It was an absolute dream to be able to get in there in all aspects of the creative process. We’ve been doing it for so, so long, it sort of comes as second nature.”
For Aniston, The Morning Show marked a return to television, but with a completely different tone and working environment. While promoting the series on The Graham Norton Show, she remarked, “We were very hands-on. It was very different from the last time I was on television. This was like a film schedule. It was such hard work, but so much fun.”
In The Morning Show, Aniston portrays Alex Levy, a seasoned morning television anchor facing professional and personal upheaval. From potential job loss due to ageism to navigating the chaos after her co-host’s firing over a sexual misconduct scandal, Alex is a woman barely holding it together. In one memorable scene, she smashes her phone in a fit of rage — a moment that captured the raw emotion that Aniston says was cathartic to portray.
“She has reason to be pissed,” Aniston said, pointing out the constant pressure her character faces. “It’s a life that’s constantly in performance mode.”
Interestingly, while Aniston embraced the role of the angry woman, she acknowledged that such outbursts are far from her real-life personality. In contrast, Reese Witherspoon, who plays fellow anchor Bradley Jackson, admitted that tapping into anger came more naturally. “I had meltdowns a lot [whilst making the series], but mine were very close to the surface,” Witherspoon joked. “I have three kids!”
Aniston and Witherspoon’s dynamic on the show — and in real life — has become one of the series’ biggest draws. The two women, both powerhouse actresses and producers, brought authenticity and intensity to their roles, creating a story that reflects the real challenges women face in the media industry.
The series has garnered critical acclaim for its portrayal of behind-the-scenes drama in the world of morning news and for its timely themes of accountability, gender politics, and resilience. The ensemble cast also includes Steve Carell, Billy Crudup, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, adding further depth and dimension to the show’s compelling narrative.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Aniston found great satisfaction in the hard work. “It was intense. It was emotional. But it was also the most rewarding project I’ve ever been a part of,” she said.
Beyond her work on The Morning Show, Aniston also reflected on her connections with former Friends cast members. “David [Schwimmer] lives in New York and Matt [LeBlanc] is always working… but us girls get together all the time,” she said, hinting at the strong bond she still shares with co-stars Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow.
The Morning Show has not only proven to be a milestone in Aniston’s acting career but has also cemented her as a force behind the scenes — a woman unafraid to take control, push boundaries, and, yes, break a phone or two if the moment calls for it.
As viewers continue to follow the twists and turns of Alex Levy’s journey, one thing is certain: Jennifer Aniston is far from done surprising us.
