From Jennifer Aniston's change of role to Gary Oldman's endless pleasure – we tell how Apple TV+ changes the careers of Hollywood stars.
Apple TV+ burst into the streaming world not just as another service with series, but as a true platform for star reboots. Here, already famous actors find new facets of their talent, and viewers get the chance to see them in unexpected roles. Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Scott — these names have long been on everyone's lips, but it is Apple TV+ that gave them a new wave of popularity and a chance to prove their potential is far from exhausted. Let's explore how these and other stars evolved thanks to the platform's series.
Jason Sudeikis: From Sketches to Football Philosophy
Jason Sudeikis is the guy we fell in love with for his hilarious antics on Saturday Night Live. For nine years, he was part of that comedy machine, delivering characters like sports reporter Pete Twinkle or one of the "two idiots" chewing gum. His humor was light but catchy — the perfect appetizer for a Saturday night. However, in the series "Ted Lasso," Sudeikis showed he can not only make people laugh but also touch them deeply.
His Ted Lasso is an American football coach who unexpectedly finds himself at the helm of an English football team (football, as you understand, is different). At first glance, it's a typical story about a fish out of water, but Sudeikis turns the character into something more: a symbol of faith in people and optimism that is as infectious as a good song. This is not just a role — it's a whole philosophy. The series has garnered a harvest of awards: four Emmy awards and two Golden Globes for Sudeikis himself are proof. If on SNL he was part of an ensemble, here he is the soloist who sets the tone for the entire show.
But Sudeikis's trick on Apple TV+ is not just in his acting. He is also a co-creator, which makes his contribution much brighter. It's like if a chef not only served you a dish but grew the ingredients himself. His journey from sketch comedian to co-creator of a cult series is a story of how Apple TV+ gives stars a chance not just to act, but to create.
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Open materialJennifer Aniston: Goodbye Rachel, Hello Alex
Jennifer Aniston, for global pop culture, will forever be Rachel Green from "Friends." For ten seasons, we watched her turn bad haircuts and romantic turmoil into pure comedy. But after "Friends," she faced a tougher challenge: to prove she is not a hostage to one image (at least within TV and streaming). And then comes "The Morning Show" on Apple TV+, where Aniston plays Alex Levy — a TV host balancing professional crises and personal demons.
Alex is not the sweet neighbor with a coffee in hand. She is a woman fighting for her place in the sun in a world where scandals and intrigues are just a regular morning. Aniston here is like a rock star who swapped pop hits for heavy riffs. Her acting grabs you with its honesty: she is not afraid to show vulnerability, anger, and fatigue. For this role, she won a SAG award and several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, making a loud statement: Jennifer Aniston is not only the queen of sitcoms but also a serious dramatic actress.
What makes her contribution to "The Morning Show" unique? She brings reality to the series. Topics like #MeToo and pressure on women in media are not just plot background but part of her character. Apple TV+ gave her the opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and remind everyone that her talent is multifaceted.
Reese Witherspoon: From Legally Blonde to Media Empire
Reese Witherspoon is an actress who knows how to surprise. Her Elle Woods from "Legally Blonde" is an explosion of positivity mixed with "pink" optimism, and Cheryl Strayed from "Wild" is a symbol of inner strength. But on Apple TV+ in "The Morning Show," she shines even brighter, playing Bradley Jackson — a journalist with a sharp tongue and an unquenchable passion for truth.
Bradley is a bold, straightforward woman ready to break the system. Her duet with Aniston is like a dance of two strong partners: tense but harmonious. For this role, Reese received her first career Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series — and that's just the beginning.
Witherspoon is also an executive producer of the project, making her a true media queen. She uses the Apple TV+ platform to tell stories about women — complex, strong, real.
Adam Scott: From Sweet Accountant to Corporate Nightmare
Adam Scott for most is that Ben Wyatt from "Parks and Recreation" whom we adored for his awkwardness and love of board games. His comedic talent was obvious, but in "Severance" on Apple TV+, he goes in a completely different direction. Here he is Mark Scout — an employee of a corporation whose life is split into "work" and "personal" versions thanks to technology.
— is a dark thriller with a dystopian flavor. Scott acts so that you feel his confusion and anxiety through the screen. It's like your cheerful neighbor suddenly started telling stories about parallel worlds — and for some unknown reason, you believed him. His subtle, almost imperceptible acting makes the series hypnotic. For this role, he received an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in a Drama — and that's no coincidence.
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Open materialWhat sets Scott apart in "Severance," where there are outstanding talents like John Turturro and Christopher Walken? He is the center of this strange universe. The series builds on atmosphere, not action, and Scott carries it on his shoulders, deftly switching his acting register between two completely different personas. Apple TV+ gave him a chance to move away from his usual role and prove he can be not only funny but also frighteningly deep.
Youn Yuh-jung: From 'Minari' to Epic Family Saga
Youn Yuh-jung became world-famous after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film (2021). But her work in the series 'Pachinko' on Apple TV+ elevated her talent to a new level.
She plays Sunja — a woman whose life spans decades of trials, from Korea to Japan. Her character is the embodiment of resilience and maternal love, and Youn conveys this depth through every glance and gesture.
Her acting is true art, making 'Pachinko' an epic saga that touches the soul. Apple TV+ gave her the opportunity to show that her talent knows no bounds.
Billy Crudup: From Theater to Television Triumph
Billy Crudup, known for films like "Almost Famous" and "Watchmen," brought his theatrical experience to "The Morning Show."
His Cory Ellison is a charismatic and unpredictable head of the news division, balancing between genius and chaos. Crudup plays him with such energy that scenes with him become true gems of the series.
In 2020, he won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor, which only confirms how much he enriched the show. Apple TV+ became a platform for him to step beyond film and become a television star, even getting his own "solo" project "Hello Tomorrow!" which, however, did not achieve the success of "The Morning Show."
Gary Oldman: From Iconic Villains to Spy Games
Gary Oldman is a legend whose roles in "Dracula," "The Fifth Element," and "Leon" have gone down in film history. However, there is a strong feeling that he has never had as much fun as he does playing in the series 'Slow Horses'.
In the series, he plays Jackson Lamb — a disheveled but brilliant head of an MI5 department for failed agents. Oldman adds sarcasm, charisma, and hidden depth to the character, turning him into a figure of absolute magnitude, both funny and tragic.
Thanks to him, the series received Emmy nominations and became one of the best multi-episode spy thrillers in history. Apple TV+ allowed Oldman to create something completely new, proving that his talent is endless. And the fact that he hasn't yet won a Golden Globe for this role seems only a matter of time.
Hailee Steinfeld: From Young Star to New Femme Icon
Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar-nominated for "True Grit" and known for "Pitch Perfect," simply shone in the series "Dickinson" on Apple TV+. She played Emily Dickinson — a 19th-century poet, but with a modern outlook and boldness.
Steinfeld brought humor, vulnerability, and a rebellious spirit to the role, creating a character that is both historical and relevant. Her chemistry with on-screen partners and her ability to balance comedy and drama made "Dickinson" a fresh and vibrant project.
Apple TV+ gave her a chance to show that she is not just a singer or supporting actress, but a true star ready for leading roles.
Apple TV+ — A New Stage for Stars
What unites Sudeikis, Aniston, Witherspoon, Scott, and the other heroes of this article? Apple TV+ became an opportunity for them to reinvent themselves. For Sudeikis, it's creative freedom; for Aniston, a chance to change a worn-out image; for Witherspoon, a producer's scope; for Scott, a leap into a new genre; for Oldman, another star moment. Each finds something of their own.
Apple TV+ is a place where stars can take risks, experiment, and find their audience. The platform bets on originality and quality, and the actors feel it. They create stories that stay with you for a long time.
Who else would you add to this list and why?
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