Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston Preparing a New TV Series

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Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston will star in and executive produce a television series about morning news shows and the New York media landscape, Stephen Huvane, a representative for Jennifer Aniston, said on Friday.

This would be Ms. Aniston’s first regular TV role since she played Rachel on “Friends,” which ended in 2004. Ms. Witherspoon appeared occasionally on the show as Rachel’s younger sister, and she and Ms. Aniston have remained friends over the years. Ms. Witherspoon was recently nominated for an Emmy for her role in HBO’s “Big Little Lies.”

Ms. Aniston told Variety in January that she was ready to return to television. “I’ve thought about it a lot,” she said at the time. “That’s where the work is. That’s where the quality is. At this point in my career, I want to be part of wonderful stories, exciting characters, and also just having a good time.”

The new series hasn’t been picked up by a network, though discussions with cable executives and streaming services are expected soon, according to a story in The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported on the new series Thursday. Michael Ellenberg, a former executive vice president of drama development at HBO, is spearheading the project through his new film and TV production company, Media Res., the report said. Jay Carson, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, and a former producer on “House of Cards,” will write the script. Both Ms. Aniston and Ms. Witherspoon will have production credits as well.

Mr. Huvane wrote in email on Friday that it was too early to discuss specifics. “The project is still in development and it’s premature to discuss at this point,” he wrote.

Publicists for Ms. Witherspoon did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

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