Play the Queen

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Play the Queen

Play the Queen is the ninth episode of the American drama series The Morning Show, which airs on Apple TV+. It premiered on December 13, 2019. The episode was written by Erica Lipez and Ali Vingiano and directed by Kevin Bray. Guest stars include Maria Sharapova as herself, Marcia Gay Harden as Maggie Brener, and Tom Irwin as Fred Micklen.

Plot
Mitch Kessler tries to get Hannah to corroborate his story and hint that Fred helped him. Hannah is reluctant because it could ruin her career, but Mitch pushes. Bradley informs Alex about a planned Mitch interview, which upsets Alex. Fred urges teamwork to protect the show, leading to the firing of Bradley and Chip. Alex hopes Daniel can become co-host, and Claire and Yanko navigate their public relationship, with Claire worried about her career. Hannah reveals she reported Claire to HR, causing tension. Claire and Yanko decide to break up so Claire can focus on her career. Mitch confronts Alex, who refuses the interview and threatens to claim Mitch assaulted her if he goes forward. Chip and Cory resist Mitch, but Chip learns Alex wanted him fired. Hannah confronts Mitch about power dynamics, and agrees to corroborate Fred’s role anonymously. Chip then decides to air Mitch’s interview. The episode ends with these escalating moves, pushing the character dynamics toward a decisive moment.

Production and reception
The episode was generally well received, with critics praising the performances, character development, and the ending. Notable reactions highlighted Billy Crudup’s performance and the ongoing tensions among the cast, noting the episode as a strong, engaging part of the season.