Steve Carell Might Soon Return to TV—but Theres a Catch

Seven years after his final appearance on The Office, Steve Carell has booked another series regular role. The actor will play the male led in Apples upcoming drama about a morning show, which co-stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston.

Which is all well and good—though Apple has yet to release, or even announce premiere dates—for any of the literally dozens of shows it is apparently developing, many of which have glitzy A-list names attached. The morning show drama—which remains untitled—is based on an original concept by producer Michael Ellenberg (co-E.P. on The Leftovers), and will be informed by Brian Stelters 2013 morning show exposé, Top of the Morning, which went behind the scenes at several series—including the Today show during Ann Currys brief stint as a co-anchor. The series received an order for two 10-episode seasons, and will examine the lives of morning show anchors, which will include Carells character, Mitch Kessler—a man who, when viewers meet him, is struggling to stay relevant despite an ever-changing media environment.

As previously reported, Witherspoon and Aniston will both executive produce, as well as star, in the series. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mimi Leder (ER) will both co-executive produce and direct, while Kerry Ehrin (Bates Motel, Friday Night Lights) will co-executive produce and show-run, with Stelter on board as a consultant.

Although hes been absent from the silver screen, chances are Carells fans havent missed him too much—since hes appeared in a steady stream of films, and executive produced series including Angie Tribeca and Inside Comedy. Still, it would be a special treat to see Carell back on the medium that made him a household name—assuming Apple ever actually releases it.

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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.