The Morning Show
Here's what we found in The Morning Show. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Morning Show
“The Morning Show” is an Apple TV+ original drama series inspired by Brian Stelter's book, "Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV." The show delves into the high-stakes world of morning television news, exploring themes of power, ambition, gender dynamics, and integrity within the media industry. It begins with a major sexual misconduct scandal that shakes up a prominent newsroom, forcing a male co-anchor off the air and leading to significant changes for the remaining cast. Subsequent seasons broaden their scope to tackle other contemporary issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, racial inequality, and political events. The series is designed for mature audiences, carrying a TV-MA rating due to its intense and adult-oriented content. It features storylines that are both compelling and challenging, examining the complex personal and professional lives of its characters. Viewers should be prepared for explicit language, mature sexual themes including discussions of sexual harassment and depictions of intimate relationships, and substance abuse. The show also incorporates elements of real-world events, which can contribute to its overall intense and emotionally charged atmosphere.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The series features significant LGBTQ representation, particularly from Season 2 onward. Daniel Henderson is an openly gay Black man, and a central romantic storyline develops between co-anchor Bradley Jackson and lesbian news anchor Laura Peterson. The show explicitly brings queer representation to the forefront, including depictions of same-sex relationships and discussions surrounding sexual identity.
1. Daniel Henderson, a reporter and host on 'The Morning Show' and 'The Twist,' provides representation as a Black gay man, with his role expanding in Season 2. 2. In Season 2, Reese Witherspoon's character, Bradley Jackson, becomes romantically involved with Julianna Margulies' character, Laura Peterson, a lesbian news anchor. Their relationship includes a kiss shared in the back of a car during Episode 3, "Kill the Fatted Calf."
Romance and Sexual Content
"The Morning Show" features pervasive romantic and sexual content, including discussions of sexual misconduct and explicit sexual encounters. The series often portrays characters engaging in one-night stands, extramarital affairs, and suggestive situations. While explicit nudity is generally avoided, sexual acts are clearly implied or depicted.
Profanity
The series uses excessive and frequent strong language. Profanity, including the 'F' word and taking the Lord's name in vain, is consistently present in dialogue across episodes and seasons.
Substance Use
Substance use is frequently depicted, including heavy drinking and drug use. Characters are shown consuming alcohol to cope with stress or in social settings, and there are explicit storylines involving drug addiction and fatal overdose.
Scary & Intense Content
The show features intense and emotionally distressing content, including themes of sexual assault, death, and dramatic portrayals of real-world crises. Viewer discretion warnings are issued for specific episodes due to their upsetting nature.
Would these 5 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
Not recommended for viewers under 18. "The Morning Show" is rated TV-MA, signifying content suitable only for mature audiences, particularly adults. This is due to its pervasive themes of sexual misconduct, graphic discussions of rape and exploitation, frequent strong language, and depictions of substance abuse and infidelity. The show's exploration of complex adult themes and intense emotional situations makes it inappropriate for children and younger teens.
Good to Know
Parents should be aware that "The Morning Show" is a sophisticated drama that tackles very mature and often disturbing real-world issues. While it aims to provoke thought and conversation, the graphic nature of discussions around sexual misconduct, the frequency of strong language, and explicit depictions of substance abuse and infidelity require a high level of parental discretion. The evolving nature of societal topics covered in later seasons may also be intense for some viewers. It is consistently rated TV-MA and is best suited for adult audiences.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families