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Season 1 – The Newsroom

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Newsroom Jun 2012 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Aaron Sorkin once chronicled the daily work of the federal government in "The West Wing." In "The Newsroom," the Emmy-winning executive producer uses the operation of a fictional cable news network as the heart of the story, with Jeff Daniels portraying the network's lead anchor and leading an ensemble cast. Episodes are written around actual recent news events, reported by a staff that takes its collective responsibilities seriously, but corporate and commercial obstacles -- plus entangled personal relationships -- fly in the face of their public mission.
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The Newsroom — Season 1

The Newsroom — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Though it sports good intentions and benefits from moments of stellar dialogue and a talented cast, The Newsroom may feel too preachy, self satisfied, and cynical to appeal to a wide range of viewers.

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Critics Reviews

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William Thomas Empire Magazine 11/03/2017
3/5
Aaron Sorkin, HBO and a show about network news seemed a perfect fit, but this first season had a rocky start. Go to Full Review John Griffiths Us Weekly 09/14/2017
2.5/5
Even with The West Wing creator at the wheel, HBO's Next Big Drama, Newsroom, which is set at a CNN-like network, disappoints. Go to Full Review Matt Zoller Seitz New York Magazine/Vulture 06/24/2012
The Newsroom is the worst of Aaron Sorkin and the best of Aaron Sorkin; you can't have one without the other, and I'll wager that anyone who's ever enjoyed his work must know that. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 8
3.5/4
It's blessed with the sort of high altitude, high IQ wordplay we’ve come to expect from Sorkin. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Oct 30
4.5/5
Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom remains one of the finest accomplishments of his great career, utilizing his keen talent for fast-paced, riveting dialogue, fully-fleshed-out, engaging characters, and compelling stories. Go to Full Review Ruhaan Shah Film Companion 04/29/2020
Even when the show is varnished with its fictional media gloss, its ideology is steadfast. It's never meant to be revolutionary either. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robin W @RT55676510 Jun 2 Watching this in 2026. Wish I had watched this when it first aired. That being said, a lot of subject matter is still, some even more so, relevant today. The writing and acting is stellar. I wish there was more than 3 seasons. See more Jonah H @storees Jan 8 S1 was an itch I didnt even know needed to be scratched. Literally changed the types of show I wanted to watch from that point on. See more Matheus F @matheusf_neto Aug 18 Jeff Daniels won an Emmy playing Will McAvoy. Very well deserved, Sir. See more Annabel P @RT41086533 12/23/2024 As a huge Aaron Sorokin fan, I approached The Newsroom with a healthy amount of enthusiasm. However, this show is nothing but an utter failure at what could have been an amazing concept. There are kernels of quality writing and thoughtful discourse that get drowned out by irritating characters and pointless plot. Mac is supposed to be an extraordinary executive producer yet her character reads desperate, emotionally unstable, and incompetent. The storyline with Margaret and Jim is so unintelligent, I've had to stop the show multiple times mid-episode because I genuinely couldn't bring myself to care. The show disparages anyone who isn't a journalist (at one point a neurosurgeon was reduced to a hot date for McAvoy's character?). For a show attempting to undertake a serious topic you'd think they'd try to enlist semi-decent writers, not Riverdale rejects. Don't waste your time. See more Iván P @RT94937134 09/12/2024 Diálogos entretenidos, personajes queribles, buen ritmo. Historias sencillas y bien contadas. Disfruté mucho verla. See more AM J @AMJORDAN 01/30/2024 If you're a Sorkin fan, you'll enjoy all his usual trademarks - witty banter, lovable characters, topical storylines. It's a decent show & enjoyable to watch but it doesn't hold a candle to The West Wing which is superior on all counts. The Newsroom falls flat on comedy with its relentless preaching, the characters end up looking like caricatures & the banter is often garbled by actors that don't have the gift for it. Just goes to show it takes a special cast with extraordinary chemistry to create the kind of magic Sorkin is known for. This just doesn't quite make the cut. See more Read all reviews
The Newsroom — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Aaron Sorkin

Creator

Jeff Daniels

Will McAvoy

Emily Mortimer

Mackenzie McHale

John Gallagher Jr.

Jim Harper

Alison Pill

Margaret Jordan

Thomas Sadoski

Don Keefer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 24, 2012 We Just Decided To After a meltdown, Will McAvoy returns to work to find most of the staff are leaving his show; Will's new executive producer is also his ex-girlfriend; Will and his new staff face a challenge. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 1, 2012 News Night 2.0 Mac begins to control the new incarnation of "News Night"; Jim takes the fall for Maggie's miscue; Charlie forbids Reese from secret meetings with Will. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 8, 2012 The 112th Congress Will apologizes on-air for past newscasts; Charlie is warned by management; Jim soothes Maggie during a panic attack; Will parades his dates in front of Mac. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 15, 2012 I'll Try to Fix You Will lands in the tabloids; Wade approaches Will with information; Don asks Maggie to set Jim up with her roommate; Will refuses to make a call on a breaking story. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 22, 2012 Amen The team learns about a protest in Wisconsin; Maggie, Jim and Don work hard to feature simultaneous uprisings; Neal tracks down an Egyptian insider. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 29, 2012 Bullies Will runs a controversial segment that causes him to receive death threats; Will suffers from insomnia; Sloan jeopardizes her career; Will handles an interview subject roughly. Details Episode 7 Aired Aug 5, 2012 5/1 An anonymous source provides advanced details on an important story; the staff cuts its anniversary party short. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 12, 2012 The Blackout: Tragedy Porn Will and Mac abandon principles when ratings plummet; Sloan is irked by her lack of screen time; Charlie discovers a whistleblower's identity. Details Episode 9 Aired Aug 19, 2012 The Blackout: Mock Debate The staff stages a mock debate; Mac has an epiphany; Lisa goes off-script during an interview; Neal goes undercover. Details Episode 10 Aired Aug 26, 2012 The Greater Fool Nina surprises Mac; Sloan considers a job offer; Neal smokes out a threat; Will, Mac and Charlie face off against Leona and Reese. Details Episode 122 Aired May 19, 2025 The daily lives of a cable news anchor and his supporting staff, as they try to take their responsibilities seriously while trying to get over corporate and commercial obstacles. Details

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The Newsroom — Season 1

The Newsroom View more photos

Season Info

Director
Greg Mottola
Creator
Aaron Sorkin
Executive Producer
Aaron Sorkin, Alan Poul, Scott Rudin
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 24, 2012