Jennifer Aniston Reveals the Two Films That Saved Her Career

Jennifer Aniston is making waves again, not just for her ongoing work but for her reflections on how she built a career far beyond the one that made her a household name. With her acclaimed series The Morning Show heading into a fourth season, where she serves as both the lead and an executive producer, her days as a sitcom staple of the 2000s feel like a distant memory. In a recent feature for ELLE's Women in Hollywood, she got candid about the roles that helped her change that perception.

Shedding the Sitcom Label

Aniston specifically pointed to two movies, The Good Girl and Cake, as turning points. These projects offered her a chance to break away from the comedic persona audiences knew so well. She explained how crucial these opportunities were for her own self-confidence after feeling pigeonholed by the industry.

“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 added that taking on these challenging parts was a necessary step in proving her range, not just to Hollywood but to herself. “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.” While her time as Rachel Green on FRIENDS ensures the show remains a global comfort classic, her subsequent work has demonstrated a much broader talent.

The Whole Gang Moved On

Escaping the shadow of a show as massive as FRIENDS was a challenge for the entire cast. Each actor was so intertwined with their character that their first roles after the show ended were met with certain expectations. Over time, however, the whole ensemble successfully forged new paths that showcased their versatility beyond the confines of a 90s sitcom.

Courteney Cox found lasting success in the Scream franchise and later transitioned into directing. Lisa Kudrow embraced quirky, character-focused projects like The Comeback and Web Therapy, earning critical acclaim for her sharp performances. David Schwimmer pursued dramatic roles in productions such as The People v. O.J. Simpson while also building a career directing for television and theater. Matt LeBlanc cleverly reinvented his image by playing a satirical version of himself in Episodes, a part that won him a Golden Globe. Even the late Matthew Perry recieved Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his dramatic turn in The Ron Clark Story.

Returning to the Newsroom

Aniston’s work on the fourth season of The Morning Show marks another significant milestone. The new season, which premiered on Apple TV+ on September 17, 2025, sees her reprising her lead role and continuing her duties as an executive producer. Production for the ten-episode season wrapped in late 2024, and its weekly rollout through November 2025 has captured significant industry attention.

This season deepens the show's drama with both returning stars and notable new additions. Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm are back, joined by Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons, whose involvement signals the network's commitment to the series as a flagship title. Aniston remains at the heart of the show, actively shaping its narrative and tone. She has stressed the show's dedication to exploring complex themes, a world away from the lighthearted comedy that launched her career.