Reese Witherspoon earns more per episode on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show than she did on HBO’s Big Little Lies. Witherspoon earns $2 million per episode on The Morning Show, compared to about $1 million per episode in the second season of Big Little Lies (via Variety and The Hollywood Reporter). Her Apple deal includes executive producer fees and back-end points. Her Big Little Lies Season 1 earnings were much lower, $250,000–$350,000 per episode (via Vanity Fair).
The Morning Show returns for Season 4 on Apple TV+ beginning September 17, 2025, with new episodes dropping weekly on Wednesdays through November 19, 2025. With the success of previous seasons, Apple TV+ has already renewed The Morning Show for Season 5.
Reese Witherspoon’s Apple Deal Gave Her Big Little Leverage
Witherspoon’s Apple TV+ contract was a turning point. In 2019, she signed on to co-star and executive-produce The Morning Show
At the same time, HBO was negotiating contracts for Big Little Lies Season 2. The show was originally a limited series, so no long-term deals were in place. Witherspoon leveraged her Apple contract to negotiate a massive raise for herself and her co-stars.
Her Big Little Lies pay jumped from $250,000–$350,000 per episode in Season 1 to about $1 million per episode in Season 2, including producing fees and backend profits.
This shift impacted the entire cast. Zoë Kravitz’s salary jumped from $380,000 total in Season 1 to $3 million in Season 2. Shailene Woodley and Nicole Kidman also received major raises, reflecting a changing pay scale in prestige TV (via THR).
What Is Reese Witherspoon’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Witherspoon’s net worth is estimated at around $440 million (reported by Forbes). Her big net worth places her among the richest women in entertainment.
A major contributor is Hello Sunshine, the production company she co-founded to champion female-driven stories. In 2021, she sold a majority stake in the company in a deal reportedly worth $900 million, while remaining involved as a key creative leader (Vanity Fair).
Witherspoon also earns from endorsement deals, brand partnerships, and her back catalog of movie and TV royalties.
In summary, Reese Witherspoon’s The Morning Show salary far exceeds her Big Little Lies earnings. It just reflects her growth as a top-tier talent and producer.
Do you think her success is opening new doors for women negotiating TV deals? Let us know your thoughts.
The Morning Show is available to stream on Apple TV+, and Big Little Lies is available to stream on HBO Max (US).
