Adieu to The Morning Show’s Most Deranged Character Yet

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The most hilarious moment on TV this fall was a quick, ten-second scene in the finale of The Morning Show. Marion Cotillard’s character runs down a hallway in slow motion, set to Moby’s “Porcelain,” and I immediately burst out laughing. I rewatched it multiple times, which confused my colleagues until I showed them, and they laughed too – though maybe not as much as I did! It’s hard to fully appreciate without knowing the backstory of her character, Celine Dumont, and how absurd it is to see her running in heels and with a huge purse. For me, that scene is comedy gold, and a highlight for both the show and Apple TV+. Even without the context, though, it’s a genuinely funny bit.

Let’s talk about why The Morning Show is so compelling. If you’re someone who can truly appreciate it – and it seems like there’s a genetic component, similar to how some people taste soap when they eat cilantro – you’ll agree it’s the best show on TV. It’s not simply good or even well-made; it’s much more than that. The show stands out with its lavish production, incredible cast, and wildly unpredictable storylines, delivering a level of glossy entertainment that few shows even try to achieve. The first season started as a #MeToo story, introducing Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson, a newcomer to a morning news program, and Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy, the established star dealing with a scandal involving a colleague played by Steve Carell. But since then, the show has become even more dramatic and much more captivating. Over the seasons, the characters have navigated COVID-19, unexpected romantic relationships (including one with Julianna Margulies), the launch of a streaming platform, a shocking car accident in Italy that removed Carell from the show, and even a trip to space – all before Katy Perry actually went! Bradley Jackson continues to break new ground, as always.

This season’s introduction of Celine Dumont, the executive in charge of the newly combined UBN network, has been a real highlight. Several things immediately made her stand out – most notably, she’s French! Apple TV, which creates French-language shows like La Maison, Drops of God, and Carême, seems very enthusiastic about French culture, perhaps for financial reasons or because Tim Cook enjoys using language-learning apps. But her nationality is especially fitting given the season’s 2024 setting and UBN’s surprising acquisition of the rights to broadcast the Paris Olympics. I initially expected Celine to be heavily involved in that storyline – I even thought Marion Cotillard would play an IOC official – but she doesn’t appear until the very end, which is a brilliant twist.

Celine’s character offers some interesting contradictions. The show’s writers seem to be commenting on the shift in American politics, and decided to make Celine somewhat resistant to progressive ideas, despite the network being run by women. This feels like a nod to the show’s roots in the Me Too movement and how public opinion has changed, often repeating talking points without fully understanding them. In meetings, Celine consistently argues for prioritizing white men and appealing to conservative audiences, framing it as simply good for business. She’s essentially a version of Bari Weiss, imagined before Weiss’s current role at CBS. You can almost picture her sending a clueless email to her staff asking, “What are you doing?”

The show has increasingly focused on romantic drama, particularly involving Celine, though the connection between the actors isn’t always convincing. We first meet her with a husband, played by Aaron Pierre, who ends up having an affair with Stella. This leads to one of the funniest scenes of the season: Stella’s AI presentation malfunctioning and revealing her secrets at a tech conference. This whole situation wouldn’t have happened without Celine, which is a point in her favor. After Stella’s public downfall, Celine finds a rebound fling with Billy Crudup’s character, Cory, who’s known for his wild behavior. While their relationship doesn’t make much sense for their characters, the actors play it with such energy and commitment that it’s entertaining to watch.

What made Celine such a captivating villain was how the show gradually revealed her darkness throughout the season, giving Marion Cotillard plenty of room to deliver a brilliantly unhinged performance. As Bradley and Alex dug into various conspiracies – Bradley with a peculiar focus on dead birds, and eventually traveling to Belarus – they discovered everything led back to a cover-up of a chemical spill. And who was behind that spill? Of course, Celine’s family’s powerful and corrupt corporation, a blend of luxury brands, oil companies, and even wig manufacturers. Once the show introduces this family, things become really interesting. Early on, Celine claims she’s estranged from her French relatives due to her relationship with Aaron Pierre, but later her brother reappears, angrily confronting her in her office while she fires back about his poor handling of the Seine River cleanup for the Olympics. (The Olympics connection comes back around, surprisingly!) By the finale, Celine is desperately trying to keep Bradley imprisoned in Belarus to protect her family’s reputation and conceal their environmental contamination, which is what drives her frantic sprint down the hallway.

By this point, Marion Cotillard is fully committed to playing the season’s villain, delivering a deliciously wicked performance that reminded me of a vampire character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After a reckless fling, Cory experiences a change of heart, spurred by his mother’s death. He manipulates Celine into angrily confessing over the phone that she wants Bradley to stay in prison forever, knowing this will prevent her from exposing the Dumont family’s secrets. He broadcasts her rant at a press conference, and Celine is horrified when she hears her own words echoing back at her from the televisions in her office. Enraged, she berates her employees, furiously scolds her brother in French, and then rushes out, even though she’s wearing impractical shoes. The season ends with her fleeing to her family’s estate in Cap-Ferrat by private jet, where her father is planning a severe punishment. Looks like no dessert for her!

It seems unlikely we’ll see Celine on The Morning Show again, as Marion Cotillard is a well-established actress who will likely pursue other opportunities. Still, it was a joy to watch her play such a compelling villain! Cotillard has a unique ability to fully commit to even the most outlandish roles—think of her intense scenes with Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception—and she navigated the show’s often-chaotic plot with remarkable skill. As Celine, she was sophisticated, intimidating, and ultimately lost control, which made for fantastic television. Despite her Oscar and reputation as a serious artist, Cotillard clearly enjoys embracing quirky and over-the-top characters, both on screen and in interviews. She’s masterful at conveying disdain with a simple look, and her style on the show was impeccable. Celine, even if you don’t return to UBN, you’ll always be remembered for your dramatic entrances!

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2025-11-20 02:56