Apple TV’s The Morning Show has found many takers around the world for its time-relevant screenplay elevated by performances from Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Containing three seasons and 30 episodes, it was renewed for a fourth and fifth season in 2023. The show focuses on the varied personalities who make up a network broadcast morning news team.
From the #MeToo movement to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Morning Show has explored a range of modern-day topics and events that resonate with viewers. Even though it starts slow, the series picks up within the first few episodes and maintains the rhythm season after season.
While fans wait for a new season of The Morning Show, they can binge on the titles mentioned on this list that are equally entertaining and addictive.
Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Flack, Great News and six other shows like The Morning Show that are clever and refreshingly original
1) The Newsroom (2012)
Like The Morning Show, The Newsroom takes viewers behind the scenes of a news show. Containing three seasons and 25 episodes, this series features Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, John Gallagher Jr., Alison Pill and more. Daniels plays Will McAvoy, News Night's anchor who has a reputation for being difficult to work with.
Will and his team are forced to fight an uphill battle when his ex-girlfriend MacKenzie (Mortimer) takes charge as News Night's new executive producer with plans to revamp the show. The Newsroom, like The Morning Show, throws light on both professional and personal problems faced by the main characters.
It is unfortunate that very few people have heard about this gem because it boasts the perfect blend of clever dialogue, realistic characters and thought-provoking messages.
Where to watch: The Newsroom is available for streaming on Hulu, Max and Prime Video.
2) Great News (2017)
It is never a dull day for The Morning Show team and the same is the case for the protagonist of Great News. Briga Heelan plays Katie, a busy segment producer at The Breakdown. She is shocked to find that the new intern is her own mother, Carol Wendelson, portrayed by Andrea Martin.
Containing two seasons and 23 episodes, Great News is lighthearted as compared to The Morning Show but is still entertaining enough to keep viewers hooked till the end. Ever so often sitcoms tend to lose their charm with time but this show only gets better with each episode.
The well-developed characters make the show worth watching and the witty dialogues will certainly give viewers plenty to laugh about.
Where to watch: Episodes of Great News can be streamed on Netflix.
3) The Bold Type (2017)
Alex and Bradley from The Morning Show have to navigate personal issues while they pursue their work goals simultaneously. The Bold Type follows three millennial women working at a global publication called 'Scarlet' who also have to juggle their personal and professional lives.
Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, and Meghann Fahy feature in this comedy-drama, spanning five seasons and 52 episodes. The Bold Type carries strong messages of feminism and identity that are cemented by lead characters who are instantly likable.
The narrative is funny and clever but at the same time, it is able to tackle serious topics in a mature and sensitive manner. This is the kind of show that will surely put viewers in a good mood.
Where to watch: The Bold Type is available on Freeform, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
4) Flack (2019)
In season one of The Morning Show, Alex seems unshakable when the camera is on but it's a different story when the broadcast ends. Likewise, the protagonist of Flack has everything under control on the workfront but things are very different with regards to her personal life.
Anna Paquin plays Robyn, an American PR executive based out of London. She is very good at turning bad situations into publicity opportunities. On the surface, it looks like she has everything sorted. But behind the facade, her life is crumbling bit by bit.
Containing two seasons and 12 episodes, Flack thrives on Paquin's intense portrayal. She is able to capture the different sides of her character with great ease which adds to the narrative. In addition to the clever lines, the show gives the characters rich backstories that make them much more interesting to watch.
Where to watch: Flack is available for streaming on Prime Video.
5) Hacks (2021)
Alex in The Morning Show struggles to remain relevant after her on-air partner Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) is fired. The lead character in Hacks also faces similar professional struggles. Containing three seasons and 27 episodes, the show stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in the lead.
Smart plays legendary Las Vegas–based stand-up comedian Deborah Vance. In order to avoid losing her residency at the Palmetto Casino, she needs to spice up her act. Ava Daniels (Einbinder) is hired as her new head writer. Although they clash in the beginning, they start to bond and Ava convinces Deborah to make bold decisions that boost her popularity.
Like The Morning Show, Hacks thrives on its strong female characters who are determined to stay on top of their game. Viewers should particularly keep an eye out for the witty banter between Deborah and Ava. The show delivers some great laughs and at the same time gives the audience something to think about.
Where to watch: Episodes of Hacks can be viewed on Max, Hulu, Netflix and Prime Video.
6) The Newsreader (2021)
The narrative of The Morning Show makes it clear that there is a lot of drama behind the camera on the newsroom floor and the same is also evident in The Newsreader containing two seasons and 12 episodes.
The Newsreader focuses on a 1980s Australian newsroom wherein strong-willed newsreader Helen Norville, portrayed by Anna Torv, is determined to navigate the prevalent misogyny and s*xism to get ahead in her career. She finds a confidant in Sam Reid's Dale Jennings who becomes Helen’s producer.
The main highlight of the show has to be the characters who the audience will find intriguing. The narrative has been written in such a way that it starts out simple but becomes layered with each plot progression. This is the perfect watch for viewers who enjoy character-driven dramas.
Where to watch: The Newsreader is available for streaming on Prime Video.
7) The Journalist (2021)
The team from The Morning Show is determined to put relevant news on the air. In The Journalist, the lead character is also driven to cover stories that impacts society.
Containing six episodes, this Japanese show stars Ryoko Yonekura in the lead. She plays Anna Matsuda, a reporter who is working for Toto Newspaper. She approaches tough stories and is passionate about uncovering the truth. Her latest assignment involves a government corruption scandal. As she continues to investigate, she ends up making enemies who want her to stop digging.
The relatable premise is complemented by performances that will surely keep the viewer hooked. It shares powerful messages about how the rich people are willing to go to extreme lengths to fill their own coffers. The narrative also showcases how good journalism can have a positive impact on society.
Where to watch: The Journalist can be streamed on Netflix.
8) Alaska Daily (2022)
In The Morning Show, Alex and Bradley have very strong personalities that lead to several clashes but they always find a middle ground when it counts. Such clash of opinions can also be seen in Alaska Daily, containing 11 episodes.
Hilary Swank plays Eileen Fitzgerald, a high-profile investigative reporter looking for redemption. She takes on an assignment for a media outlet, Daily Alaskan, that involves looking into the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis in Alaska. Eileen is unhappy when she is teamed up with Grace Dove's Roz Friendly. Even though they don't get along at first, they are still able to work together to find the truth.
Swank does a great job of portraying the doggedness of her character. Like The Morning Show, Alaska Daily's intelligent narrative boasts plenty of twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The show also paints an insightful picture of life in Alaska.
Where to watch: Alaska Daily is available on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Roku.
These shows, like The Morning Show, thrive on well-written narratives that are brought to life by characters who are strong, persistent and worthy of attention.
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