Julianna Margulies not returning to Morning Wars months after controversial remarks

One of the stars of Morning Wars has been axed from the forthcoming series, despite previous plans to feature them heavily.

One of the major stars of The Morning Show, known as Morning Wars in Australia on Apple TV, is no longer returning to the forthcoming fourth season of the hit show.

Julianna Margulies joined the show in season two as journalist Laura Peterson, who becomes Bradley Jackson’s (Reese Witherspoon) love interest.

Julianna Margulies will not be returning to The Morning Show for season four. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Fragrance Foundation.

She was one of the lead characters in season three, with the show focusing on the pair’s relationship and subsequent break-up.

Last year, showrunner Charlotte Stoudt told Variety that she was thinking about how to incorporate Margulies’ character in season four, saying that she was looking forward to “exploring Laura more”.

Just weeks later, Margulies found herself embroiled in controversy after she made comments about black and LGBTQ people, including saying that lesbian critics of Israel “offended [her] as a lesbian” since she played one on The Morning Show, and claiming that black people “hate Jews".

Margulies played Laura for two seasons, a character that became involved with Reese Witherspoon's character. Picture: Apple.

Following intense backlash on social media for her remarks, Margulies apologised in a statement sharing that she was “horrified” she had offended anyone.

“I am horrified by the fact that statements I made on a recent podcast offended the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities, communities I truly love and respect,” she said in a statement.

“I want to be 100% clear: Racism, homophobia, sexism, or any prejudice against anyone’s personal beliefs or identity are abhorrent to me, full stop.

“Throughout my career I have worked tirelessly to combat hate of all kind, end antisemitism, speak out against terrorist groups like Hamas, and forge a united front against discrimination. I did not intend for my words to sow further division, for which I am sincerely apologetic.”

The Morning Show recently wrapped airing its third season and a fourth is in the works. Picture: Apple.

Margulies made the incendiary remarks in November during an episode of Andy Ostroy’s podcast The Back Room. As the two discussed American reactions to the Israel-Hamas war, Margulies expressed anger at Black and LGBTQ people who have spoken out against Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

“You know, there was a film being shown by this black lesbian club on the Columbia campus and they put up signs that said, ‘no Jews allowed,’” Margulies said in reference to an incident involving the student group Lion Lez, who had allegedly sent an email that stated: “It’s FREE PALESTINE over here. Zionists aren’t invited.”

“As someone who plays a lesbian journalist on The Morning Show,” she continued, “I am more offended by it as a lesbian than I am as a Jew. Because I wanna say to them: You f**king idiots. You don’t exist. You’re even lower than the Jews. A, you’re Black, and B, you’re gay. And you’re turning your back against the people who support you? Because Jews, they rally around everybody.”

Originally published as Julianna Margulies not returning to Morning Wars months after controversial remarks