The End Of An Era: Julianna Margulies' Biggest TV Shows And Why She Won't Return To The Morning Show
Julianna Margulies has cemented her status as one of television’s most formidable dramatic actresses, creating two of the most indelible characters in modern TV history: the compassionate nurse Carol Hathaway and the resilient lawyer Alicia Florrick. As of
The latest and most pertinent news for fans is the confirmation that Margulies will not be reprising her role as the sharp-witted journalist Laura Peterson in the upcoming fourth season of Apple TV+'s hit drama, The Morning Show. This unexpected departure closes the chapter on one of her most high-profile roles of the past few years, leaving audiences to look back at her incredible body of work and eagerly anticipate her next move in the world of prestige television.
Julianna Margulies: A Complete Career Biography
Julianna Luisa Margulies has built a career defined by powerful, complex female roles, earning her a reputation as a television powerhouse and a magnet for critical acclaim.
- Full Name: Julianna Luisa Margulies
- Date of Birth: June 8, 1966
- Place of Birth: Spring Valley, New York, U.S.
- Occupation: Actress, Producer, Author
- Education: Sarah Lawrence College (B.A.)
- Major Career Highlights:
- Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for ER (1995).
- Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Good Wife (2011, 2014).
- Won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for The Good Wife (2010).
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
- Author of the memoir, Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life.
The Three Pillars: Margulies’ Most Iconic Television Roles
Margulies’ career is uniquely characterized by three long-running, critically acclaimed roles that define the landscape of modern television drama. Each character—a nurse, a lawyer, and a journalist—represents a different facet of female strength and resilience.
1. Carol Hathaway: The Heart of County General (ER, 1994–2000; 2009)
Margulies’ breakout role was as Nurse Carol Hathaway on the groundbreaking medical drama ER. The character was initially supposed to die in the pilot episode, but her chemistry with George Clooney's Dr. Doug Ross was so compelling that the producers revised the script. Carol Hathaway was the moral compass of the fictional County General Hospital, a strong, complex woman whose professional dedication was often complicated by her turbulent personal life.
Her performance immediately garnered critical praise, earning her the 1995 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, a rare feat for a first-season performance. Margulies starred in the series for six seasons before returning for a guest appearance in the final season in 2009, bringing a sense of closure to one of television’s most beloved couples, ‘Caross.’
2. Alicia Florrick: The Good Wife (2009–2016)
A decade after leaving ER, Margulies returned to television in a role that would redefine her career: Alicia Florrick, the titular character in the legal drama The Good Wife. The series followed Alicia as she returned to her career as a litigator after her politician husband is jailed following a public sex and corruption scandal.
The show was a masterclass in character evolution, chronicling Alicia’s journey from a humiliated political wife to a powerful, complex, and sometimes morally ambiguous lawyer. This role earned Margulies her greatest critical success, winning her two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. The success of the series, created by Robert and Michelle King, established her as a leading dramatic force and inspired the spin-off series, The Good Fight and Elsbeth, though Alicia Florrick has yet to make an appearance.
3. Laura Peterson: The Morning Show (2021–2023)
In her most recent high-profile role, Margulies joined the cast of Apple TV+'s The Morning Show in Season 2 as Laura Peterson, a veteran UBA news anchor and a sharp, no-nonsense journalist. Her character was pivotal, serving as a mentor to Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley Jackson and becoming her on-again, off-again love interest.
The role was praised for its mature, nuanced portrayal of a high-powered, openly gay journalist, adding significant depth to the ensemble cast, which also includes Jennifer Aniston. However, in a major update for
Beyond the Big Three: Other Notable TV Appearances
While ER and The Good Wife are her career cornerstones, Julianna Margulies has consistently sought out challenging and diverse roles in other television projects, demonstrating her range and topical authority across multiple genres.
- The Hot Zone (2019): Margulies starred as Dr. Nancy Jaax, a U.S. Army scientist who risks her life to contain the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in a Washington, D.C. suburb. This National Geographic miniseries earned her praise for her portrayal of a real-life hero.
- Billions (2020): She joined the fifth season of the Showtime financial drama, playing Catherine Brant, an Ivy League sociology professor and a brilliant, pragmatic writer who serves as a consultant to the show’s main characters.
- The Sopranos (2006–2007): Margulies had a memorable guest arc on the iconic HBO crime drama, appearing in four episodes as Julianna Skiff, a real estate agent who develops a complicated relationship with Tony Soprano.
- The Mists of Avalon (2001): She took on the title role of Morgaine in the TNT miniseries adaptation of the Arthurian legend, showcasing her versatility in a fantasy-drama setting.
What’s Next for Julianna Margulies?
The departure from The Morning Show in the lead-up to Season 4 suggests that Margulies is clearing the slate for a new, significant project. While no new television series has been officially announced for 2025, her track record indicates she is highly selective, preferring roles with depth and impact. Given her history with the Kings (creators of The Good Wife), speculation often arises about a potential cameo in their current projects, such as the new spin-off Elsbeth, though nothing has been confirmed.
In the meantime, Margulies has been focusing on other creative endeavors, including her successful memoir, Sunshine Girl, and her recent starring role in the Broadway play Left on Tenth in late 2024. Whether she returns to a legal drama, a new medical series, or takes on a completely different genre, fans are certain that her next television role will be as compelling and award-worthy as the ones that have defined her exceptional career.
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