The final season of HBO’s critically acclaimed drama series The Newsroom will kick off on November 9, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT. Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, and Sam Waterston are returning in starring roles for season three. The cast also includes John Gallagher, Jr., Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski, Dev Patel, and Olivia Munn.
Joining the show as guest stars for this six-episode final season are B.J. Novak, Mary McCormack, Joanna Gleason, and Clea DuVall. Returning guest stars include Jane Fonda, Chris Messina, David Harbour, and Marcia Gay Harden.
The Plot:
The third and final season of The Newsroom finds Will and Mac and the staff of “News Night” facing two explosive situations: the possibility of a hostile takeover of the network looming on the horizon, and leaked classified government documents that unleash a legal firestorm that threatens to topple more than one professional career.
Going beyond the headlines, the six-part season turns its attention inward, focusing on a series of internal events at ACN that rock the very foundation of the network, and tackles such topics as privacy issues, the influence of social media on traditional news gathering and corporate takeover. The men and women of “News Night” are faced with personal and professional dilemmas that will forever determine their futures.
Set against the backdrop of the Boston Marathon bombing, The Newsroom kicks off the season with a highly charged look at the core issue of maintaining journalistic integrity in the era of 24-hour news cycles, while crowd-sourcing and “citizen journalism” result in the dissemination of misinformation.
November 2014 The Newsroom Episodes:
Episode #20: “Boston”
Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 9 (11:45 p.m., 2:25 a.m.), 12 (10:00 p.m.), 13 (8:00 p.m.), 14 (2:00 a.m.) and 15 (9:45 p.m.).
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 10 (9:00 p.m.), 11 (8:00 p.m.), 12 (2:45 a.m.) and 15 (3:45 p.m.)
In the wake of the Genoa debacle, Will (Jeff Daniels), Mac (Emily Mortimer) and the “News Night” team decide to err on the side of caution in reporting a major breaking story, which may enhance credibility, if not ratings. Neal (Dev Patel) faces a slippery slope when he’s contacted by an anonymous source in possession of stolen government documents revealing how false press stories planted in newspapers spawned fatal riots in Kundu. Sloan (Olivia Munn) looks to solve a takeover puzzle; Maggie (Alison Pill) is forced to pinch-hit for Elliot (David Harbour) in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Written by Aaron Sorkin; directed by Anthony Hemingway.
Episode #21: “Run”
Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 16 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 18 (1:15 a.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.), 20 (8:00 p.m.), 21 (2:00 a.m.) and 22 (11:25 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 17 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (2:00 a.m.) and 22 (1:00 p.m.)
With Rebecca (Marcia Gay Harden) again tasked with defending ACN in a possible lawsuit, Will tries to protect Neal from the fallout over the DOD leak. Charlie (Sam Waterston) and Leona (Jane Fonda) enter the fray of a hostile-takeover gambit involving Reese’s (Chris Messina) half-siblings, Blair (Kat Dennings) and Randy Lansing (Chris Smith). Sloan fears Don (Thomas Sadoski) may be guilty of cashing in on insider information; Maggie ponders the ethics of eavesdropping; Hallie (Grace Gummer) pays a price for a late-night tweet.
Written by Aaron Sorkin; directed by Greg Mottola.
Episode #22: “Main Justice”
Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 23 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 25 (12:30 a.m.), 26 (10:00 p.m.), 27 (10:00 p.m.), 28 (midnight) and 29 (1:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Nov. 24 (9:00 p.m.), 26 (2:45 a.m.) and 29 (3:30 p.m.)
Leona and Reece look to raise cash in order to salvage ACN and thwart Blair and Randy. Will gets a surprise at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, while Charlie trades visions with ACN suitor Lucas Pruit (B.J. Novak). Maggie’s EPA scoop makes it to “News Night.” Sloan and Don try to keep their relationship a secret from a new HR veep.
Teleplay by Aaron Sorkin; story by Jon Lovett & Aaron Sorkin; directed by Alan Poul.
Episode #23: “Contempt”
Debut: SUNDAY, NOV. 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Nov. 30 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.) and Dec. 2 (12:30 a.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m.), 4 (8:00 p.m.), 5 (midnight) and 6 (1:45 a.m.)
Facing a court subpoena and possible incarceration for contempt, Will stands firm in refusing to reveal the source of the stolen DOD documents. As Charlie’s disdain for Lucas grows, Sloan and Mac scramble to find a more acceptable 11th-hour buyer for ACN. Jim’s relationship with Hallie is put to the test by her new job at Carnivore, a start-up website.
Teleplay by Aaron Sorkin; story by Deborah Schoeneman; directed by Anthony Hemingway.
