Jennifer Aniston Breaks Free From Sitcom Stereotype With Two Key Films

Jennifer Aniston’s name is back in the spotlight as fans and industry insiders alike take a fresh look at how her career has shifted over the years. With The Morning Show now heading into its fourth season and Aniston still front and centre as both star and executive producer, it’s clear she’s left the old sitcom tag well behind. In a recent feature for ELLE Women in Hollywood, Aniston opened up about the two films that helped her break away from the typecasting that followed her after her time on FRIENDS: The Good Girl and Cake.

Finding New Ground Beyond Rachel Green

Reflecting on her journey, Aniston shared that these projects were a turning point, giving her the chance to show she could do more than what the industry expected. She said,

Those projects just remind me that I’m capable of more than what the industry saw me as, and typecast me as, so I was grateful for those jobs because enough times you’re not invited to those kinds of tables, you start to think, Oh, maybe they think I can’t do it. Maybe I can’t.

She explained that landing these roles was a reminder to herself, as much as anyone else, that she could take on more than just a catchy tagline.

But then those jobs come along and it’s just nice to remind yourself, challenge yourself, and also show yourself that you’re capable of more than a good tagline.

How the FRIENDS Cast Moved On

It’s no secret that escaping the shadow of a show as massive as FRIENDS wasn’t going to be easy. Each actor became so closely linked to their character that early roles after the sitcom often came with a heap of expectations. Over time, though, the cast managed to carve out careers that went well beyond the laughs of a ’90s comedy.

Courteney Cox found her stride in the Scream films and later took a crack at directing, making her mark in both horror and episodic TV. Lisa Kudrow leaned into quirky, character-driven work like The Comeback and Web Therapy, earning plenty of praise for her sharp performances. David Schwimmer picked up dramatic roles, including a standout turn in The People v. O.J. Simpson, while also building a solid directing career. Matt LeBlanc reinvented himself with Episodes, playing a tongue-in-cheek version of himself and nabbing a Golden Globe for his efforts. Even the late Matthew Perry delivered a strong dramatic performance in The Ron Clark Story, which scored him Emmy and Golden Globe nods.

Aniston’s New Chapter With The Morning Show

Aniston’s return in The Morning Show’s fourth season marks another big step in her ongoing run in prestige telly. The new season kicked off on 17 September 2025 on Apple TV+, with Aniston once again leading the cast and steering the ship as executive producer. Filming wrapped up in late 2024, setting up a ten-episode run that’s rolling out weekly through November and drawing plenty of attention from industry watchers.

This season brings a mix of familiar faces and new talent, with Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm back alongside Aniston, and fresh additions like Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons joining the newsroom drama. Their arrival signals Apple’s push to keep the series at the top of its game, and Aniston remains a driving force, shaping the stories and setting the tone.

Shifting Gears From Sitcom to Serious Drama

Aniston has spoken about the show’s commitment to telling more complex stories, a far cry from the light-hearted sitcom world where she started out. Her ongoing leadership on The Morning Show cements her place as a major player in today’s television scene, showing that her career has long since moved past her most famous role.

FRIENDS is streaming on HBO Max, while The Morning Show is available on Apple TV+.