With “The Morning Show,” showrunner Kerry Ehrin “wanted to talk about being a female high-powered career person.” In particular, she wanted to explore “relationships between two high-powered women.” The Emmy nominated TV veteran gave an inside look at her work on the Apple TV+ original series while appearing at Gold Derby’s Meet the Experts panel, conducted virtually by managing editor Chris Beachum. Watch our exclusive video interview with Ehrin above.
SEE Billy Crudup Interview: ‘The Morning Show’
Brian Stelter, whose behind-the-scenes book “Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV” provides additional background material, consults on the project. The series examines the fallout from the firing of a morning news anchor (Steve Carell) following accusations of sexual misconduct. Jennifer Aniston headlines the drama as his co-anchor, who’s desperate to retain her job while sparring with a newly hired field reporter (Reese Witherspoon). Both Aniston, who won a SAG Award for her performance, and Witherspoon serve as executive producers alongside Ehrin.
In touching upon the #MeToo era, Ehrin wanted to “tell a story of how people lie to themselves.” Due to society and work environments, people like Carell’s character “can get to a place where they feel literally like they can do no wrong morally,” and believe that their actions are “consensual.” Part of it comes from “his own narcissism and his own ego,” but it’s also that “he was in a system that let him do whatever he wanted and never questioned him.”
SEE Gugu Mbatha-Raw Interview: ‘The Morning Show’
Ehrin has also been the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Bates Motel,” plus a writer/producer for “Rise,” “Parenthood” and “Friday Night Lights.” She has received 2 Emmy nominations for producing “Friday Night Lights” and “The Wonder Years” plus 5 WGA nominations.
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