The Morning Show Season 4 introduces a significant new character, Ben, portrayed by actor William Jackson Harper. He joins the drama at the newly merged UBN network, and his arrival directly leads to one of the season’s most shocking moments: the departure of a beloved, veteran staffer.
Ben is described as the network’s self-assured and innovative Head of Sports. He is brought into UBN following its merger with rival network NBN, and he is the driving force behind the network’s refreshed Olympics coverage. His character is positioned as a modernizer with a fresh perspective on broadcasting.
Ben’s Arrival and Role at UBN
Ben enters the scene as a candidate for a major promotion. In Season 4, Episode 3, the hard-working news producer Mia Jordan is interviewing for the Head of News position. She has the support of her colleagues, including Alex Levy and Stella Bak, who notes that Mia is already doing most of the job.
However, the decision is not solely Stella’s. Celine Dumont, the powerful new President of UBN, is also part of the process. Celine is looking for a “fiery and sexy vision” of journalism that will generate higher ratings. During the post-interview discussions, Celine strongly suggests bypassing Mia for the Head of News role and instead giving the job to Ben.
Celine argues that Ben represents a fresh perspective. She has been impressed with how he “reinvented” the network’s Olympic sports coverage. To her, Ben embodies the change she wants to bring to the news division, while Mia represents a more traditional approach.
The Cost of Ben’s Promotion
The decision to hire Ben over Mia has immediate and dramatic consequences. Despite Stella’s advocacy for Mia, she ultimately gives in to Celine’s pressure. This choice is complicated by the fact that Stella is having a secret affair with Celine’s husband, Miles, and fears the secret being revealed.
When Stella breaks the news to Mia, she offers a raise but confirms that Ben got the promotion. Mia is rightfully shocked and angry. She points out that Ben is unqualified for the role, has no experience producing hard news, and lacks established relationships with the staff. Feeling profoundly betrayed after her years of loyalty and hard work, Mia makes the bold decision to quit UBN on the spot.
This storyline highlights the cutthroat corporate politics at the network. Loyalty and competence are overshadowed by hidden agendas and power plays. Ben’s hiring, while a major career opportunity for him, is the catalyst for losing one of the show’s most competent and ethical characters.
Behind the Scenes of the Character
The actor behind Ben, William Jackson Harper, is best known for his Emmy-nominated role as the morally philosophical Chidi Anagonye on the beloved NBC series The Good Place. His casting in The Morning Show was announced in July 2025, and it was noted that his character was initially conceived as gay, but the show’s creators later took the character in a different direction.
Harper’s other notable credits include the Max series Love Life, the Netflix limited series A Man In Full, and a role in the film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
The introduction of Ben and his direct impact on Mia’s story has generated significant discussion among viewers. Many fans have expressed frustration on social media, seeing Mia as the clearly more deserving candidate for the promotion. The dramatic turn of events has been described as a “juicy” plot point, with audiences speculating on whether this is truly the end for Karen Pittman’s character on the show and looking forward to seeing how Ben performs in his new, controversial role.
The situation continues to develop as Cory Ellison maneuvers to return to the network, using his knowledge of Stella’s affair as leverage. With Mia gone and Ben now in a position of power, the newsroom dynamics are set for more upheaval.
Also Read: The Morning Show Season 4 Episode 5: Your Guide to Release Time, Cast, and Story
