Reneé Rapp Officially Returns to Acting in Season 5 of Apple TV's Messiest Series

2 weeks ago 13

Published Mar 19, 2026, 6:49 PM EDT

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There are few shows better suited to a big, chaotic casting update than The Morning Show. Apple TV’s glossy media drama has built its whole identity around ambition, ego, and people trying to survive in one of the messiest workplaces on television, so bringing in a performer like Reneé Rapp, who already knows how to own a room and make an impression fast, feels less like a random pick and more like the kind of move this show was always going to make eventually. Now, after spending the last few years focused on music, Rapp is officially stepping back into the acting world.

Rapp has joined Season 5 of The Morning Show in a major recurring role. She will play Samantha, a young rising star in the UBN news division who is determined to make it in media on her own terms. That setup alone sounds like a natural fit for a series that thrives on power struggles, shifting alliances, and ambitious people trying to carve out space in an already volatile institution.

Rapp will appear opposite Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, who both star in and executive produce the series, alongside fellow new additions Jeff Daniels and Jesse Williams. The broader ensemble also includes Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, Karen Pittman, Nicole Beharie, and Jon Hamm.

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Is 'The Morning Show' Any Good?

Collider’s review stated that The Morning Show Season 4 is as messy and over-the-top as the show has ever been — and whether that works for you really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re in the mood for glossy, chaotic drama with big swings and even bigger storylines, there’s a lot to enjoy here. But if you’re expecting sharp, meaningful commentary on real-world issues, this season is likely to frustrate more than impress.

While Alex and Bradley’s arcs suffer, and Cory feels like he’s overstayed his welcome despite Crudup’s natural charm and undeniable charisma, Stella and Mia shine, and Celine and Miles are interesting enough to justify their addition to an already too-packed cast. I was rarely particularly impressed by The Morning Show Season 4, but I was also definitely never bored. Sometimes, that’s enough.

The Morning Show streams on Apple TV.

Release Date November 1, 2019

Network Apple TV

Directors Stacie Passon, Miguel Arteta, Millicent Shelton, Tucker Gates, David Frankel, Jennifer Getzinger, Jessica Yu, Kevin Bray, Lesli Linka Glatter, Michelle MacLaren, Roxann Dawson, Thomas Carter, Victoria Mahoney, Lynn Shelton

Writers Micah Schraft, Zander Lehmann, Billy Kennedy, Vanessa Baden Kelly, J.C. Lee, Joshua Allen, Jiehae Park, Sharon Hoffman, Jay Carson, Christiana Mbakwe, Kerry Ehrin

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