Jennifer Aniston is no stranger to critical acclaim, but her electrifying performance in the third season of Apple TV+'s The Morning Show is earning her some of the strongest awards buzz of her career. With a role that pushes her emotional and dramatic range further than ever, Aniston has captivated both audiences and critics, setting the stage for a major awards season.
Season three of The Morning Show marks a creative high point for the series. Known for its sharp take on media, power, and personal ambition, the show has found new momentum, in part due to Aniston’s commanding portrayal of Alex Levy, a seasoned anchor navigating the high-stakes world of broadcast journalism. The season holds a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes—its highest yet—underscoring the show’s rising trajectory.
Aniston delivers a nuanced, emotionally layered performance that reflects the internal and external pressures her character faces. Critics have widely praised her ability to balance vulnerability and strength. Her portrayal isn’t just compelling—it’s transformative. Alex Levy is not the same woman she was in season one, and Aniston ensures that evolution is palpable in every scene.
This isn’t just a return to form for Aniston—it’s a redefinition of her career. While she has long been beloved for her comedic timing and warm screen presence, particularly as Rachel Green on Friends (a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy in 2002), The Morning Show has given her a platform to explore deeper dramatic territory. Her first Emmy nomination for a dramatic role came in 2020 for the show's debut season. Now, three seasons in, Aniston is once again in the awards conversation—this time with even more urgency and acclaim behind her.
What sets her performance apart this season is its emotional honesty. There's a rawness to the way she plays Alex, a woman forced to reckon with personal ambition, public scrutiny, and moral compromise. Critics have noted this evolution. One described her as “casually glamorous, occasionally sinewy and from time to time biting,” while another applauded her ability to reveal “the cost to Alex as she walks the tightrope between ambition and becoming someone she can’t recognize.”
Aniston also shares undeniable on-screen chemistry with Reese Witherspoon, who returns as co-anchor Bradley Jackson. Their dynamic remains one of the show’s strongest elements, filled with tension, affection, and unspoken understanding. The addition of Jon Hamm and an expanded role for Billy Crudup’s enigmatic Cory Ellison have added new layers of intrigue and depth to the ensemble, but Aniston’s presence continues to anchor the series.
Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year alone, Aniston has received nominations for Best Drama Actress at both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards and the Critics Choice Awards. Meanwhile, The Morning Show has earned nominations across the board—including nods for Best Drama Series at the Critics Choice TV Awards and the Golden Globes.
Aniston’s awards pedigree only strengthens her position. With eight Emmy nominations under her belt, she’s a respected figure in the industry whose performances continue to evolve. This season may very well earn her another Emmy nod—and potentially, another win.
Beyond accolades, what makes Aniston’s role in The Morning Show so resonant is its reflection of real-world themes. As society continues to grapple with the complexities of media, ethics, and workplace dynamics, Alex Levy’s journey feels timely and authentic. Aniston channels that relevance into every moment on screen, making her performance both culturally significant and deeply personal.
As Emmy season approaches, the buzz surrounding Aniston is more than just hype. It’s a recognition of her ability to consistently deliver performances that are both artistically rich and emotionally powerful. With The Morning Show reaching new heights, and Aniston at its center, there’s a strong case to be made: this may be the defining dramatic role of her career.
Whether or not she takes home the Emmy, Jennifer Aniston has already won in the eyes of viewers and critics alike—proving once again that her talent is as enduring as it is exceptional.
