Hollywood may be tightening its purse strings, but television’s biggest names have not exactly felt the pinch. While studios are becoming more selective about greenlighting original series, A-list actors continue to command salaries that would make even a blockbuster opening weekend look modest. The economics of television have changed considerably, and a coveted role on a prestige streaming drama can now rival the financial rewards of a major movie franchise.

The real question, however, is who is commanding the biggest cheques in this increasingly competitive marketplace? From familiar sitcom favorites to Hollywood veterans making their streaming debuts, the latest reported salary figures offer a fascinating look at where television’s money is going.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon lead the $2 million club

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are earning approximately $2 million per episode for their performances in The Morning Show, first premiered in 2019.. Their respective portrayals of Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson have helped establish the Apple TV+ drama as one of the platform’s flagship productions. The reported compensation reflects more than their on-screen appearances, with both actresses also serving as executive producers.

The figures are particularly striking when viewed against the show’s shorter streaming-season format. Rather than committing to the traditional 22-episode network schedule, the actresses can command substantial fees across a considerably smaller episode order. These figures come from Variety’s salary compilation by Michael Schneider and Joe Otterson, which is not intended as a complete industry-wide ranking. 

And Aniston and Witherspoon are not the only established Hollywood names turning television into a particularly lucrative business. 

Zendaya

Zendaya earned approximately $1 million per episode for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in Euphoria. The Emmy-winning actress negotiated a substantial deal ahead of the show’s third season, placing her among television’s highest-paid performers. Her growing influence as both an actress and producer has further strengthened her negotiating position.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone earns around $2 million per episode for Tulsa King, Taylor Sheridan’s crime drama, now in its fifth season. Playing New York mobster Dwight Manfredi, Stallone brings his established action-film pedigree to the small screen. His reported salary demonstrates how streaming platforms can use recognizable cinematic personalities to give original programming an immediate commercial identity.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt received approximately $2 million per episode for The Terminal List. Having built considerable box-office recognition through franchises such as Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt arrived with an established audience. That familiarity makes him a valuable proposition for a streaming service looking to turn an original thriller into a major attraction.

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh commands around $1.4 million per episode for Laird. The actor and filmmaker brings decades of experience across stage, film, and television to the project. His inclusion among the highest-paid television performers highlights the premium attached to established creative talent.

Harrison Ford and Jason Segel

Harrison Ford and Jason Segel earn approximately $1.3 million per episode for Shrinking. Ford’s presence gives the comedy-drama considerable star appeal, while Segel anchors the series as grieving therapist Jimmy Laird. Their compensation also reflects the value of pairing a legendary screen veteran with a popular contemporary television performer.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are earning $1.2 million per episode for Dutton Ranch. Their established association with the Yellowstone universe gives the project an existing audience to build upon. Reilly’s Beth Dutton and Hauser’s Rip Wheeler have become recognizable characters in their own right, making their transition into another chapter of the franchise commercially valuable.

Elisabeth Moss

Elisabeth Moss earned approximately $1.1 million per episode for Shining Girls. Her reputation, strengthened by acclaimed performances in Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale, has made her a formidable television lead. The figure reflects the premium placed on performers who can carry complex, character-driven dramas.

Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short earn $1 million each

The mystery-comedy trio is earning around $1 million per episode apiece as Only Murders in the Building moves into its sixth season. Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short have turned their unlikely podcasting partnership into one of television’s most recognizable ensembles. Their chemistry has become a central part of the Hulu series’ appeal, blending old-school comedic timing with Gomez’s contemporary star power.

The arrangement also demonstrates the financial advantage of building a series around an established ensemble. Martin and Short bring decades of comedy experience, while Gomez connects the show with a younger audience. Together, they give the production a distinctive identity that would be difficult to replicate through casting alone.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal earns approximately $1 million per episode for the legal thriller Presumed Innocent. His performance as prosecutor Rusty Sabich brought a familiar Hollywood leading man into Apple’s prestige television lineup, demonstrating the platform’s appetite for established film talent.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage commands $1 million per episode for Spider-Noir. The project offers the actor another opportunity to explore his association with the superhero genre, this time in a live-action television setting. His distinctive screen persona makes him an unconventional but recognizable addition to the streaming landscape.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro received approximately $1 million per episode for the political thriller Zero Day. His involvement gave Netflix a major cinematic name for its limited series, illustrating how prestige casting remains an important part of the streamer’s strategy.

Andrew Garfield and Jude Law receive $1 million each for Wild Things

Andrew Garfield and Jude Law command around $1 million per episode apiece for Wild Things. Both actors bring considerable theatrical and cinematic credibility to the project. Their reported deals reinforce the appeal of assembling established film performers for ambitious television productions.

Alan Ritchson

Alan Ritchson earns approximately $1 million per episode for Reacher. The action series has transformed his portrayal of Lee Child’s formidable investigator into a major streaming draw. The salary reflects the commercial value of a successful franchise with an established audience.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner crossed the $1 million-per-episode threshold for The Five-Star Weekend. Her long-standing popularity across film and television makes her an attractive leading presence for Peacock. The deal also demonstrates that premium television salaries are not exclusive to the largest streaming platforms.

Shorter seasons, producing credits, established fan bases, and franchise recognition continue to shape the economics of premium programming. The biggest beneficiaries are often the stars who can do more than simply appear on a call sheet: they can help sell an entire series.

Which of these reported television salaries surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.