Glee’s Matthew Morrison, famously known for his role as teacher Will Schuester on the hit show, recently opened up about his unhappiness on set. In an interview with the And That’s What You REALLY Missed podcast, Morrison revealed that he had reached a point where he wanted to exit the show. He expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that he was no longer being utilized in the way he desired, and felt it was time to explore new projects. However, little did he know that tragedy would strike and change everything.
A Tragic Turn of Events
Just as Morrison had made up his mind to leave, tragedy struck the Glee cast. His co-star, Cory Monteith, unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 31 in 2013. This unexpected loss had a profound impact on the show and its direction. After Monteith’s death, the producers informed Morrison that they couldn’t afford to have both of the main characters leave simultaneously. Consequently, Morrison’s plans to exit the show were put on hold indefinitely.
The news of Monteith’s passing left Morrison grappling with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he understood the producers’ decision and acknowledged the grief that everyone was experiencing as a result of losing a dear friend and colleague. On the other hand, he had to navigate his own desires and ambitions with the reality of the situation. Despite this emotional turmoil, Morrison remained professional and showed up to work, carrying out his role as Will Schuester. Notably, he mentioned that the promise of a pay increase helped soften the blow of the changes happening on set.
Morrison confessed that initially, he took the changes in his character’s storyline personally, interpreting it as a reflection of his own shortcomings. He felt that the diminishing emphasis on his character was a sign that he was not performing well enough. However, upon reflection, he realized that the show’s focus had shifted towards the younger members of the cast. The demographic of the show’s audience craved more of the youthful energy and the dynamic performances of the students. Morrison admitted that he had mistakenly thought that the audience wanted to see more of Mr. Schuester, but in reality, they were more interested in the lives and journeys of the students.
Matthew Morrison’s journey on the set of Glee was a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs. His desire to exit the show was thwarted by the untimely death of his co-star, resulting in a change of plans. Despite feeling initially upset and taking the changes personally, Morrison ultimately came to terms with the show’s direction and prioritized his professionalism. While his role may have been de-emphasized, he embraced his part in the larger vision and continued to contribute to the success of the show.