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• Modat found more than 1.2 million misconfigured devices leaking info
• This includes MRI scans, X-rays, and other sensitive files, together with patient contact data
• The healthcare industry needs a proactive approach to cybersecurity, researchers warn

Researchers have warned there are currently over a million internet-connected healthcare devices which are misconfigured, leaking all the data they generate online - putting millions of people at risk of identity theft, phishing, wire fraud, and more.

Modat recently scanned the internet in search of misconfigured, non-password protected, devices and their data, and by using the tag ‘HEALTHCARE’, they found more than 1.2 million devices which were generating, and leaking, confidential medical images including MRI scans, X-rays, and even blood work, of hospitals all over the world.

“Examples of data being leaked in this way include brain scans and X-rays, stored alongside protected health information and personally identifiable information of the patient, potentially representing both a breach of patient’s confidentiality and privacy,” the researchers explained.

Weak passwords and other woes

In some cases, the researchers found information unlocked and available for anyone who knows where to look - and in other cases, the data was protected with such weak and predictable passwords that it posed no challenge to break in and grab them.

“In the worst-case scenario, leaked sensitive medical information could leave unsuspecting victims open to fraud or even blackmail over a confidential medical condition,” they added.

In theory, a threat actor could learn of a patient’s condition before they do. Together with names and contact details, they can reach out to the patient and threaten to release the information to friends and family, unless they pay a ransom.

Alternatively, they could impersonate the doctor or the hospital and send phishing emails inviting the victim to “view sensitive files” which would just redirect them to download malware or share login credentials.

The majority of the misconfigured devices are located in the United States (174K+), with South Africa being close second (172K+). Australia (111K+), Brazil (82K+), and Germany (81K+) round off the top five.

For Modat, a proactive security culture “beats a reactive response”.

“This research reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive asset visibility, robust vulnerability management, and a proactive approach to securing every internet-connected device in healthcare environments, ensuring that sensitive patient data remains protected from unauthorized access and potential exploitation," commented Errol Weiss, Chief Security Officer at Health-ISAC.

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Demon Slayer on the seatback screen? Count me in.

• Researchers claim to have found a way to turn a Lenovo webcam into a BadUSB device
• BadUSB is a firmware vulnerability that turns a USB stick into a malware-writing weapon
• Lenovo released a firmware update, so users should patch now

Your device's webcam can be reprogrammed to turn on you and serve as a backdoor for a threat actor, experts have warned.

Security researchers at Eclypsium claim certain Lenovo webcam models powered by Linux can be turned into so-called “BadUSB” devices.

The bug is now tracked as CVE-2025-4371. It still doesn’t have a severity score, but it has a nickname - BadCam.

Reflashing firmware

Roughly a decade ago, researchers found a way to reprogram a USB device’s firmware to act maliciously, letting it mimic keyboards, network cards, or other devices. This allows it to run commands, install malware, or steal data, and the biggest advantage compared to traditional malware is that it can successfully bypass traditional security measures.

The vulnerability was dubbed “BadUSB”, and was seen abused in the wild, when threat actors FIN7 started mailing weaponized USB drives to US-based organizations. At one point, the FBI even started warning people not to plug in USB devices found in office toilets, airports, or received in the postbox.

Now, Eclypsium says that the same thing can be done with certain USB webcams, built by Lenovo and powered by Linux.

"This allows remote attackers to inject keystrokes covertly and launch attacks independent of the host operating system," Eclypsium told The Hacker News.

"An attacker who gains remote code execution on a system can reflash the firmware of an attached Linux-powered webcam, repurposing it to behave as a malicious HID or to emulate additional USB devices," the researchers explained.

"Once weaponized, the seemingly innocuous webcam can inject keystrokes, deliver malicious payloads, or serve as a foothold for deeper persistence, all while maintaining the outward appearance and core functionality of a standard camera.

Gaining remote access to a webcam requires the device to be compromised in the first place, in which case the attackers can do what they please anyway. However, users should be careful not to plug in other people’s webcams, or buy such products from shady internet shops.

Lenovo 510 FHD and Lenovo Performance FHD webcams were said to be vulnerable, and a firmware update version 4.8.0 was released to mitigate the threat.

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LG and Samsung have been locked in an OLED TV battle for a number of years, ever since Samsung reentered the OLED TV market in 2022 with the Samsung S95B.

Samsung has since been our TV of the year winner for two years in a row, with the Samsung S90C taking the crown in 2023 and the Samsung S95D taking the title in 2024. Even so, several LG OLED models still sit on our list for the best OLED TV.

I’ve already tested both brands' 2025 flagship models, the LG G5 and Samsung S95F, side-by-side. Recently, however, I also had the chance to do a side-by-side test of their entry-level OLEDs, the LG B5 and Samsung S85F.

It’s worth noting that both these TVs use the same standard W-OLED display panel. So they can’t really be that different, right? Well, let’s look at the results of my comparison to find out.

Brightness and contrast

The Samsung S85F (right) demonstrated higher brightness in some highlight areas despite having the same panel as the LG B5 (left) (Image credit: Future)

With both TVs using the same panel, I expected their brightness measurements to be similar, and that did turn out to be the case. When I measured peak HDR brightness for both TVs, the LG B5 clocked in at 668 nits, and the S85F at 777 nits. I assumed a difference of just over 100 nits wouldn’t make an impact on the picture, but I was wrong.

Although the difference was subtle, the S85F’s picture did have bolder highlights in specific movie scenes. Watching The Batman, highlights from light sources such as lamps and torches in the opening subway fight and crime scene sections were indeed brighter on the S85F. The B5 still demonstrated solid brightness, but I found my eye more drawn to the S85F’s picture.

In demo footage from the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray, with images such as the sun behind a satellite dish or a horizon at sunset, the S85F had a bit more vibrancy, which made these highlight areas look more striking.

Both the LG B5 (left) and Samsung S85F (right) showed very good contrast, but the B5 handled darker tones better. (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future)

Both the B5 and S85F demonstrated excellent contrast throughout testing. In The Batman, light sources balanced well with dark tones on screen, creating a good sense of contrast, though the S85F’s higher brightness gave it an edge.

Both TVs also had refined shadow detail when watching The Batman, but the B5 displayed deeper, richer black tones, and it better maintained shadow detail, with the S85F showing minor black crush. In Oppenheimer’s black and white scenes, both TVs again showed a good range of gray tones, but here again, the B5 maintained details in darker areas more accurately than the S85F.

I noticed that while Filmmaker Mode was the more accurate mode for darker movies such as Oppenheimer and The Batman, the differences between the two TVs were more obvious in Cinema mode, especially when it came to brightness, contrast and shadow detail.

Color profile

Both the LG B5 (left) and Samsung S85F showcased vivid colors, but the S85F's had more pop, whereas the B5's looked more natural (Image credit: Universal Pictures / Future )

Where the B5 and S85F really differed was in their color. Although both use the same OLED panel type, the S85F’s colors had a greater visual punch, especially when evaluating both TVs with their Cinema picture preset active.

In Wicked, during the Wizard & I scene where Elphaba stands under some pink flowers, the flowers looked more vibrant on the S85F than the B5, giving them an eye-popping quality. Elphaba’s green skin also appeared brighter, and later in the Emerald City, the greens appeared more dazzling on the S85F.

Where the B5 differed here was in its color depth. The B5’s deeper blacks had the effect of making the pink flowers and Elphaba’s green skin look richer and more lifelike compared to the S85F.

In the same Spears & Munsil footage, shots of colorful butterflies and flowers looked rich and refined on both TVs, but once again, the B5 displayed deeper, richer, and more subtle hues, whereas the S85F had more outright colorful images. I found myself more drawn to the S85F, especially with both TVs in Cinema mode.

Sports

The LG B5 (left) had the better motion handling for sports compared to the Samsung S85F (right) (Image credit: Future)

One thing I wanted to test on these TVs was sports viewing. OLEDs typically have very good motion handling, which is why they always feature in our best TVs for sport guide. I’ve found that Samsung TVs require more setup effort when it comes to sports than LG TVs, and it was no different with the S85F.

In Standard mode (color in the B5’s Sports mode is too oversaturated, so I preferred not to use it), the LG B5 displayed superior motion handling. An MLS soccer game I watched via Prime Video in this mode looked fluid and smooth throughout viewing, with no settings changes required.

The S85F, also in its Standard preset, showed several motion artifacts, such as a ghosting ball and some stuttering. Changing blur and judder reduction to 5 did help, but even then, there was some picture judder compared to the B5.

Of the two TVs, the B5 was the clear winner when it came to motion handling.

Which TV should you choose?

With many similarities between the LG B5 (left) and Samsung S85F (right), the choice may ultimately come down to price (Image credit: Future)

After testing both the LG B5 and Samsung S85F side-by-side, the differences are generally subtle, so which one you should buy will likely come down to personal preference.

If you want a brighter, bolder-looking TV with more vibrant color, opt for the S85F. If you want a more natural-looking TV with richer blacks, opt for the B5.

Both TVs have the full suite of gaming features we look for on the best gaming TVs, and both have great smart TV platforms. But sports fans will want to go for the B5 due to its superior motion handling.

During my testing, I ultimately found myself more drawn to the S85F. So that’s the one I’d choose, but it was very close.

Honestly, it could all come down to discounts. The 55-inch B5 costs $1,499.99 / £1,399 / AU$1,995, and the 55-inch Samsung S85F costs $1,499.99 / £1,399 / AU$2,495, so in the US and UK, there's currently nothing between them. But as we approach the end of the year, both TVs will inevitably receive discounts, and the amount of those discounts could determine which TV is the better overall value.

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• Threat actors cloned Brazilian government websites using generative AI
• The sites were used to steal personal information and money
• In both instances, the sites were almost identical, experts warn

Experts have warned hackers recently used a generative AI tool to replicate several web pages belonging to the Brazilian government in an effort to steal sensitive personal information and money.

The fake websites were examined by Zscaler ThreatLabz researchers, who discovered multiple indicators of the use of AI to generate code.

The websites look almost identical to the official sites, with the hackers using SEO poisoning to make the websites appear higher in search results, and therefore seem more legitimate.

AI generated government websites

In the campaign examined by ThreatLabz, two websites were spotted mimicking important government portals. The first was for the State Department of Traffic’s portal for applying for a drivers license.

(Image credit: ZScaler ThreatLabz)

The two sites appear to be near-identical, with the only major difference being in the website’s URL. The threat actor used ‘govbrs[.]com’ as the URL prefix, mimicking the official URL in a way that would be easily overlooked by those visiting the site. The webpage was also boosted in search results using SEO poisoning, making it appear to be the legitimate site.

Once on the site, the users are invited to enter their CPF number (a form of personal identification number similar to an SSN), which the hacker would ‘authenticate’ using an API.

The victim would then fill out a web form asking for personal information such as name and address, before being asked to schedule psychometric and medical exams as part of the driving application.

The victim would then be prompted to use Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, to complete their application. The funds would go directly to the hacker’s account.

A second website based on the job board for the Brazilian Ministry of Education lured applicants into handing over their CPF number and completing payments to the hacker. This website used similar URL squatting techniques and SEO poisoning to appear legitimate.

The user would apply to fake job listings, handing over personal information before again being prompted to use the Pix payment system to complete their application.

In ThreatLabz’ technical analysis of both sites, much of the code showed signs of being generated by Deepsite AI using a prompt to copy the official website, such as TailwindCSS styling and highly structured code comments that state “In a real implementation…”

The CSS files of the website also include templated instructions on how to reproduce the government sites.

The ThreatLabz blog concludes, “While these phishing campaigns are currently stealing relatively small amounts of money from victims, similar attacks can be used to cause far more damage. Organizations can reduce the risk by ensuring best practices along with deploying a Zero Trust architecture to minimize the attack surface.”

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• Altman's tweet suggests that ChatGPT-5 Pro is coming to Plus subscribers
• It will be limited to a few queries a month
• The move would add more confusion to the ChatGPT Plus model selector

Following the backlash against OpenAI removing ChatGPT-4o when it introduced ChatGPT-5, the AI giant has now restored access to ChatGPT-4o, but only for ChatGPT Plus subscribers.

Free tier users are limited to just ChatGPT-5 for now, but it seems that CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI aren’t done making changes to its LLM lineup just yet.

In reply to a post on X praising how good GPT-5 Pro is, Altman responded, “We are considering giving a (very) small number of GPT-5 Pro queries each month to Plus subscribers so they can try it out!”

we are considering giving a (very) small number of GPT-5 pro queries each month to plus subscribers so they can try it out! i like it too.but yeah if you wanna pay us $1k a month for 2x the input tokens feels like we should find a way to make that happen... https://t.co/9qC0rsDl6zAugust 11, 2025

Plus users currently get a choice between ChatGPT-5 for fast answers and ChatGPT-5 Thinking for slower, but more thoughtful answers. ChatGPT Pro is essentially the best of both worlds, delivering thoughtful answers at speed.

Making even a few queries a month available to Plus users would represent a serious added value to the $20 (£20 / AU$30) monthly subscription. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-5 Pro as “research grade” AI, and it’s currently only available to $200 (£200 / AU$300) a month ChatGPT Pro subscribers.

The current Plus user selection box, with GPT-4o added. (Image credit: Future)Model confusion

Before I get too excited, perhaps it's worth noting the word “considering” is contained in Altman’s tweet, and means that this isn’t definitely going to happen. However, if Altman thinks it’s a good idea, then, being the CEO, he can probably make it happen.

Part of the ethos of ChatGPT-5 was to do away with the confusing LLM line-up and naming conventions that had arisen around ChatGPT-4. The streamlined ChatGPT-5 was supposed to simplify all the different options and intelligently decide which version of the model your query would best respond to.

By giving Plus users access to ChatGPT-5 Pro, in addition to reintroducing ChatGPT-4o, we will essentially be back in the same old situation where people are given too much choice about which model to use, meaning that OpenAI still has a product naming and line-up problem.

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• Microsoft is reportedly looking to formalize three-day in-office working policy
• Rivals like Amazon now ask for full-time office attendance
• Workers must prepare for more changes, reports claim

Microsoft could be the latest tech giant to explore a stricter in-office working policy, with reports claiming the company is reportedly considering enacting a three-day office-working policy for most employees.

Until now, workers have been able to spend around half of their time at home (or away from the office) despite rivals like Amazon enforcing stricter full-time office-working policies.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Business Insider the company had been exploring changes to the policy, but no official alterations have been made yet.

Microsoft considering upping its office-working days

The report claims an official Microsoft announcement could come as soon as September 2025, with rollout of any changes arriving as soon as January 2026, although dates and indeed policies may vary depending on location.

Reports of upcoming changes come after the company has made other changes to its workforce, including ongoing worker readjustments and an updated PIP framework to more quickly exit underperforming workers.

In July 2025, Microsoft laid off around 9,000 of its workers, and two months earlier in May a further 6,000 workers lost their jobs.

Company CFO Amy Hood told workers in an internal memo (see by Business Insider) that they should prepare for another year of "intensity."

"We're entering FY26 with clear priorities in security, quality, and AI transformation, building on our momentum and grounded in our mission and growth-mindset culture," she added.

Although the company has undergone major layoffs in recent months, hiring efforts in other areas and a broader restructuring has seen minimal changes to actual overall headcount.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said the layoffs had been "weighing heavily" on him, likening the ongoing transformation to that of the 1990s, when PCs and software became democratized, blaming the shifts on evolving customer needs.

Microsoft told us that it is looking at refreshing its flexible working guidelines, as it has done many times before. The company has a page dedicated to its flexible work approach, which reads "No 'one size fits all'."

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• Amazon's War of the Worlds movie has boosted the visibility of another movie with the same name
• Viewers are tuning into the 2005 Tom Cruise-led film on various streaming platforms
• Neither flick is the best way to experience its sci-fi horror story, though

It turns out Amazon's War of the Worlds movie has done some good after all.

The Ice Cube-starring Prime Video film, which was one of July's final new Prime Video movies, continues to be ridiculed by fans and critics alike. At the time of publication, it holds 3% critical and 22% audience approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes – scores that makes it one of the worst-rated original movies in the platform's history.

But it's not all bad news for War of the Worlds – well, another movie adaptation of H.G. Wells' famous sci-fi horror story. Indeed, given the level of interest in the property itself, the 2005 Tom Cruise-led film is enjoying a renaissance on some of the world's best streaming services.

Right now, Cruise's War of the Worlds movie is the eighth most popular film on Netflix in the UK. By all accounts, it's enjoying some success on Paramount+ in the US and further field on other streamers where it's available, too.

It's difficult to determine how many people have actually watched it and/or how many have made it to the end of the Steven Spielberg-directed flick on either streaming service. The fact remains, though: Prime Video's War of the Worlds film might be absolutely abysmal, but it's introduced Wells' incredibly influential story to a whole new generation and, as a huge fan of the original novel, that's worth celebrating in my view.

Why I won't be streaming Tom Cruise's War of the Worlds movie

The Steven Spielberg-directed War of the Worlds film was liked by critics, but not by fans (Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

If you're trying to decide which War of the Worlds movie is worth watching based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores, it's a no-brainer. Cruise's team-up with Spielberg is by far the better film, with its 76% critical and 42% audience ratings indicating as much.

As its audience score suggests, though, I, like many general moviegoers, was less than enthused by Paramount Pictures' big-budget take on Wells' literary works. Yes, it looks great and there are some genuinely scary moments, especially early on. But, whether it's the movie's present day setting in New York – Wells' original story is set in England at the end of the 19th century – or other baffling changes it makes to the source material, I was unimpressed by the overall package. For that reason, I can't recommend the Cruise-led vehicle as one of the best Netflix movies or best Paramount+ movies.

But we're all about offering alternate suggestions here at TechRadar so, as one of our resident entertainment experts, it's my duty to do just that. I'm not going to do what my colleague Jasmine Valentine did and tell you to stream a far better movie version of the sci-fi classic, though, so what do I recommend instead?

If you're really not fussed on reading the original book, which I'd highly recommend anyway, check out Jeff Wayne's 1978 concept record The War of the Worlds, which is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other good audio streaming services. It takes Wells' story – without changing its narrative for the sake of it – and turns it into a progressive rock double album that allows your imagination run wild as you listen along. Nothing's scarier than what your own mind can make up, so why not give it a go? I promise you'll be humming the opening minutes of its first track 'The Eve of the War' for days to come.

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• Tom's Guide offers a comprehensive look at the World in 2025
• The special reports covers everything from AI and iPhones to wearables ands robots
• It's a believable look at where most of major innovation is heading – with a few surprises

The problem with most stories about the future is that they look so far into the distance that it's hard to connect them with our current circumstances. Tom's Guide's deep dive on what might be termed "the near future", 2035, suffers no such disconnect.

Even I can see the threads that lead us from, for instance, humanoid dreams to more practical home helper robots. Or from Micro-LED TV aspirations to more reliable OLED and beyond. Or from the current AI revolution to proactive and emotionally aware chatbots in 2035.

Tom's Guide, part of the Future network and a friend and competitor to TechRadar, has built a rich, eight-part deep dive on The World in 2035.

It's a world of ambient computing, stretchable batteries (that might recharge via embedded solar panels), and smart glasses that finally achieve their promise thanks to the deep integration of AI and awareness.

There's also a nice deep dive on the future of Apple's iPhone business, which Tom's Guide, unsurprisingly, predicts isn't going anywhere, even as more AI wearables and unique sensors try to make it obsolete.

There are tons of interviews with industry leaders across AI, smartphones, wearables, robotics, and cars that help paint a picture of 2035 that is both completely recognizable, yet also on the precipice of being truly futuristic.

I suggest you pour a nice cool drink, grab a spot by the pool, and settle in for a deep summer read. You'll probably learn something. I know I did.

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This September, we'll see the end of an era in internet history.

The classic dial-up handshake sounds melodic, scratchy, and harsh, and is inexorably associated with connection. It’s also now silent. AOL’s decision this week to finally end dial-up service is not surprising, but it still feels like a door closing, one I walked through more times than I can count to step onto the world wide web.

It’s a sound immortalized in the 1998 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan rom-com You’ve Got Mail, a film in which the then insanely popular AOL service propels the plot forward to its unsurprising and deeply romantic conclusion.

When I first started covering and working online, AOL was one of the chief portals to the new digital world, and the only way to traverse that portal was via a dial-up modem, one connected to your PC on one side and your phone line on the other. (Having a phone line close to your computer was a big deal – kids today are spoiled by ubiquitous, high-speed Wi-Fi... but I digress.)

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

In today's always-connected world, it’s hard to conceive of the intentionality of this act. In the 1990s, our phones were dumb, and your computer dealt with local networks and files. We called dial-up “going online” because it was like taking a trip in which the mode of transportation was a little box with the magic code to connect you to the Internet and, ultimately, the information superhighway.

Before home broadband, everyone knew the handshake sound and, yes, millions were dialing into AOL (America Online) – a network of its own – to access the internet.

If you were breaking down the dial-up process, you might look at it as two distinct parts: the dialing of the AOL number, and then a series of negotiation sounds all designed to ensure that the modem was legit and speaking the correct language. Once the system on the other side of the connection was satisfied, you’d be connected and soon hear, “You’ve got mail.”

That mail system was also an integral part of AOL. There was no Gmail, and far fewer people were using online mail systems from Yahoo or even Microsoft (I should add that these days, having a @hotmail.com mail account is akin, for some, to having an @AOL.com mail account).

Dial-up started its rapid decline in the late 1990s as cable companies introduced broadband over coaxial cable. Instead of knocking on the internet’s door with a phone call, broadband paved an open path to the digital realm. One day, we had the classic dial-up sound in my home, and the next day, we did not.

Dial-up continued to serve a purpose well into the first decade of the new millennium, and broadband took years to reach rural communities. In 2009, Netzero tried to bring dial-up back as an affordable alternative to pricey broadband. Imagine someone trying to sell consumers on the horse and buggy decades after the automobile had become ubiquitous. It was a terrible plan and, in my opinion, set back broadband reach a few years.

Even so, by 2022 the number of people still using dial-up had dropped to 175,000. I'm sure the number today might equate to the population of a very small, one-street town in middle America. I hope AOL is at least supporting those who still can't connect to cable or fiber.

It's not like we didn't see this coming. In recent years, other big companies with names that start with A have been turning their backs on dial-up technology.

My sadness is not ennui for a better time. It’s really just nostalgia for a digital snapshot, a moment when we had to make an effort to get connected and then wait, in anticipation, as the modem completed its digital handshake before opening the door to reveal the growing world of digital connections and information. I wonder if, perhaps, we appreciated the miracle of connection more for the effort that was involved.

We take it for granted now; and Gen Z, in particular, surely has no idea what it means to prime the pump of online before adding an Instagram post. But what if they did? What if, just once a year, we declared it 'Dial-Up Day' and you had to run a fake modem handshake before you could use your laptop or smartphone?

Ridiculous, I know, but the thought does make me smile.

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The Morning Show season 4: key information

- Coming on September 17
- Teaser trailer officially revealed
- Main cast set to return
- New characters confirmed
- Season 4 jumps two years ahead of season 3 finale
- Potential for more seasons, though yet to be confirmed

The Morning Show season 4 is coming on September 17 and from what I've seen announced so far, there's plenty more intense drama lined up for the news crew – both inside and outside the studio.

The Morning Show storms onto Apple TV+, one of the best streaming services, every other year with real-life headlines played out in the fictional news room. And it appears season 4 is about to tackle one of the most prominent debates of modern times. But, we'll jump into more on that below.

With the merger officially complete, Alex and Bradley are set to return. But, The Morning Show season 3 finale saw their lives split into two very different directions. So, what's next? Well, a time jump for starters as season 4 picks up two years after the events of season 3.

Here's everything we know so far ahead of The Morning Show season 4 returning to Apple TV+ from release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis and more.

Full spoilers follow for The Morning Show seasons 1-3. Potential spoilers are also discussed for season 4.

The Morning Show season 4 release date

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

A photo posted by on

On May 28, Apple TV+ officially revealed that The Morning Show season 4 will arrive on the streamer on September 17.

Like the previous seasons, there will be ten episodes in total, releasing weekly (every Friday) until November 19.

The Morning Show season 4 trailer: is there one?

The Morning Show season 4 teaser trailer dropped on July 9 giving a first look at what's to come in the newsroom. And, it's a little bit intense.

While Alex and Bradley walk in parallel along the UBN building, their reflections become other cast members, new and old. Like ghosts of seasons past, present and future bringing their own haunting dialogue.

Like, Chip Black saying: "I need some dirt. Something I can trade". Or, Cory: "It's always nice when you can get someone else to do your dirty work for you, right?"

And, in true The Morning Show fashion, the final words: "It sounds like the drama at the network is juicier than the drama on the network".

It doesn't show us much, but it certainly tells us that season 4 is primed and ready for more drama.

With previous seasons, the full trailer has dropped in late August ahead of the September release date. So, I'll be sure to update here when it arrives.

The Morning Show season 4 confirmed cast

Marion Cotillard joins The Morning Show season 4 cast (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Full spoilers follow for The Morning Show seasons 1-3.

Thanks to The Morning Show season 4 trailer and official Apple TV+ announcement, I can share the confirmed cast as follows – with returning cast and entirely new characters:

• Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy
• Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson
• Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison
• Jon Hamm as Paul Marks
• Greta Lee as Stella Bak
• Mark Duplass as Chip Black
• Nicole Beharie as Christina Hunter
• Karen Pittman as Mia Jordan
• Tig Notaro as Amanda Robinson
• Nestor Carbonell as Yanko Flores
• Marion Cotillard as Celine Dumont
• Jeremy Irons as Martin Levy
• Boyd Holbrook as Brodie
• Aaron Pierre as Miles
• William Jackson Harper as Ben

Alex's father, Martin, will be played by Jeremy Irons (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

As reported in Deadline, William Jackson Harper will play Ben: "the network's self-assured and innovative Head of Sports. Whilst Jeremy Irons will play Alex Levy's father, Martin.

Aaron Pierre is joining as Miles "an acclaimed visual artist who moves through the circles of the New York elite". And, Boyd Holbrook will play Brodie "a podcaster and talk show host".

Finally, Marion Cotillard joins as Celine "a savvy operator from a storied European family". Some big names to join an already impressive cast list.

Though, there is one character that has been confirmed to not be returning and that's Bradley's ex Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies), as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The Morning Show season 4 potential plot synopsis and rumors

The Morning Show season 4 plot jumps two years ahead (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Major spoilers follow for The Morning Show seasons 1 through 3.

The Morning Show season 4 picks up two years after the events of season 3. So, while season 3 saw real-life news stories from a trip to space to the January 6 insurrection play out on screen, it was the huge merger between UBA and NBN after Musk-like billionaire Paul Mark's deal was thwarted that led the season's biggest drama.

The big question is what will the focus be for season 4 – and it seems like the answer is artificial intelligence (AI), as explored in the official Apple TV+ synopsis: "With the UBA-NBN merger complete, the newsroom must grapple with newfound responsibility, hidden motives and the elusive nature of truth in a polarized American.

"In a world rife with deepfakes, conspiracy theories and corporate cover-ups – who can you trust? And how can you know what's actually real?"

With the season 3 finale setting Alex and Bradley on very different paths, we watched on as Alex triumphantly outsmarted Paul to get herself a seat in the boardroom, sacrificing her relationship in the process.

And Bradley was left facing a possible felony charge after her brother assaulted a police officer during the January 6 insurrection, with Bradley withholding evidence.

But, how will the two-year time jump affect how we all come down from the ledge we were left teetering on after the season 3 finale?

Well, Aniston told The Hollywood Reporter, it looks like it'll be pretty hectic: "We reenter the world mid-chaos. Because she's jumping into something that has never existed. She's a bit of a pioneer, and she is kind of left alone on a buoy.

"Bradley's not there. Cory's not there. Paul Marks is not there. All of her touchstones". So, with Alex's main support system missing, season 4 looks set to explore how she copes with the new reality she's played a part in creating for herself.

Where do figures like Cory stand post-merger? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

But with women, like Alex, now in charge pushing Paul and Cory to the sidelines, executive producer Michael Ellenberg says there's opportunity, but also risk: "They're being handed the keys to the kingdom in a period where it's almost impossible to succeed, so it can end up being a step back for progress.

"The show is curious about all of those realities. So I think Charlotte opened the runway so we can keep going as long as we're all inspired to do so".

And when it comes to the fallout from the merger, showrunner Charlotte Stoudt told Deadline: "I think mergers are always messy, whether they're personal or corporate. So, it's always fun to play with that".

And so, it may not be the main focus for season 4. Instead, she says: "We're also trying to reflect the world... how many streamers can there be? People getting laid off, that sort of stuff. So we also just want to reflect what's actually happening in the media world. Some people are doing very well, some people are doing less well. It's like the Wild West".

Will The Morning Show get more seasons on Apple TV+?

Will The Morning Show return after season 4? (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

While there's been no official news on The Morning Show season 5 or future seasons beyond it, there have been some positive signs.

Like how when season 4 received it's early renewal, Deadline reported: "At the time of this announcement, a fifth season was also in consideration".

And when Stoudt spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in November 2023, after the season 3 finale, about the potential for more, she said: "You can always say something new about what's going on in the world...

"So I think there will always be a place for this show. I have no idea about how long people want to go on, but it's a show that can constantly reinvent itself".

Though season 4 was given an early renewal, it appears that's not been the case with season 5. But, with hopeful words and hints at a fifth season, there's seemingly potential for more.

For more Apple TV+ coverage, read our guides on Ted Lasso season 4, Foundation season 3, Presumed Innocent season 2, and Silo season 3.