How Reese Witherspoon became the queen of streaming, from 'The Morning Show' to 'Little Fires Everywhere'

Gabbi ShawJul 29, 2020, 03:53 IST

Reese Witherspoon is a full-blown stream queen.Amy Sussman/Getty Images and Hulu

Over her decades in show business, Reese Witherspoon has become one of the most beloved movie stars, the face of lifestyle brand Draper James, and a savvy producer.
Since the formation of her production company Hello Sunshine in 2016, Witherspoon has become one of the most prolific names in streaming.
Little Sunshine's streaming shows include "The Morning Show," "Little Fires Everywhere," and "Big Little Lies," which earned 18 nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards.
She's working on shows for nearly every major streaming service: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple TV Plus, and Quibi.

Reese Witherspoon currently has shows either airing or in development at almost all of the major streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple TV Plus, and even Quibi. All she needs is a Disney Plus show!

After her production company Little Sunshine received 18 nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards, we're taking a look at how she became one of the biggest names in streaming over the past four years, from cameoing on her friend's Hulu show, to earning multiple Emmy nomination for producing "The Morning Show" and "Little Fires Everywhere," as well as the new shows and movies she has lined up.

Keep scrolling to see how Witherspoon became the undisputed stream queen.

Reese Witherspoon's first foray into production was with her company Type A Films, which she founded in 2000.

Witherspoon in 2000. David McNew/Getty Images

In 2012, it merged with another company to become Pacific Standard, which produced films like "Gone Girl" and "Wild."

Witherspoon in "Wild." River Road Entertainment

Pacific Standard also produced Witherspoon's first TV show, "Big Little Lies."

Witherspoon in "Big Little Lies." HBO

In 2016, Witherspoon and her Pacific Standard co-producer Bruna Papandrea split, and Witherspoon founded Hello Sunshine, a production company dedicated to telling female stories.

Witherspoon. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

In 2016, Witherspoon and her Pacific Standard co-producer Bruna Papandrea split, and Witherspoon founded Hello Sunshine, a production company dedicated to telling female stories.

The following year, Witherspoon made her streaming debut, in an episode of "The Mindy Project" as herself.

Witherspoon on "The Mindy Project." Hulu

In 2018, Hello Sunshine launched three shows on Facebook Watch and IGTV, the social networks' streaming platforms.

Witherspoon in a Hello Sunshine video. Hello Sunshine/YouTube

In 2019, Witherspoon starred in her first streaming show, "The Morning Show," on Apple's new streaming service, Apple TV Plus. Hello Sunshine also produces the show.

"The Morning Show." AppleTV+

Hello Sunshine also produces another show on Apple TV Plus, "Truth Be Told," starring Octavia Spencer, Lizzy Caplan, and Aaron Paul.

"Truth Be Told." Apple TV+

Witherspoon's next streaming venture was the Hulu miniseries "Little Fires Everywhere," which she produced and starred in.

Reese Witherspoon stars in "Little Fires Everywhere." Hulu

Witherspoon has six more streaming projects lined up. First, an untitled comedy series on Apple TV Plus.

Witherspoon at the premiere of "The Morning Show." Angela Weiss/Getty Images

She's also producing "Daisy Jones & the Six" for Amazon Video. The show will star Riley Keough, Camila Morrone, and Sam Claflin.

Riley Keough. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

A third series, "From Scratch," is set to be released on Netflix. It's based on the memoir of Tembi Locke, who will be played by Zoe Saldana.

Zoe Saldana. Getty/Joe Scarnici, Stringer

In April 2020, Witherspoon narrated a nature show on Quibi, "Fierce Queens." She's also an executive producer.

Reese Witherspoon. Monica Schipper/FilmMagic

The next month, it was announced that Witherspoon will star in two Netlix rom-coms that Hello Sunshine will produce, including one directed by Aline Brosh McKenna.

Aline Brosh McKenna. Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD

Witherspoon is also set to star in and produce a Netflix sci-fi film, "Pyros."

Reese Witherspoon and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Turner

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How Reese Witherspoon became the queen of streaming, from 'The Morning Show' to 'Little Fires Everywhere'

Reese Witherspoon's first foray into production was with her company Type A Films, which she founded in 2000.

In 2012, it merged with another company to become Pacific Standard, which produced films like "Gone Girl" and "Wild."

Pacific Standard also produced Witherspoon's first TV show, "Big Little Lies."

In 2016, Witherspoon and her Pacific Standard co-producer Bruna Papandrea split, and Witherspoon founded Hello Sunshine, a production company dedicated to telling female stories.

The following year, Witherspoon made her streaming debut, in an episode of "The Mindy Project" as herself.

In 2018, Hello Sunshine launched three shows on Facebook Watch and IGTV, the social networks' streaming platforms.

In 2019, Witherspoon starred in her first streaming show, "The Morning Show," on Apple's new streaming service, Apple TV Plus. Hello Sunshine also produces the show.

Hello Sunshine also produces another show on Apple TV Plus, "Truth Be Told," starring Octavia Spencer, Lizzy Caplan, and Aaron Paul.

Witherspoon's next streaming venture was the Hulu miniseries "Little Fires Everywhere," which she produced and starred in.

Witherspoon has six more streaming projects lined up. First, an untitled comedy series on Apple TV Plus.

She's also producing "Daisy Jones & the Six" for Amazon Video. The show will star Riley Keough, Camila Morrone, and Sam Claflin.

A third series, "From Scratch," is set to be released on Netflix. It's based on the memoir of Tembi Locke, who will be played by Zoe Saldana.

In April 2020, Witherspoon narrated a nature show on Quibi, "Fierce Queens." She's also an executive producer.

The next month, it was announced that Witherspoon will star in two Netlix rom-coms that Hello Sunshine will produce, including one directed by Aline Brosh McKenna.

Witherspoon is also set to star in and produce a Netflix sci-fi film, "Pyros."