Norah O’Donnell Returns To ‘CBS Mornings’

Norah O’Donnell is returning to the network flagship CBS Mornings as co-host with Gayle King and Nate Burleson starting next Tuesday, Sept. 8

The senior correspondent had hosted the program from 2012 to 2019 before moving to CBS Evening News through 2024. She was recently named a correspondent on 60 Minutes as news chief Bari Weiss overhauls the storied newsmagazine and broader CBS anchor lineup.  

“This is a homecoming for Norah. As we all know, for seven years, Norah helped lead CBS This Morning alongside Gayle, creating one of the most memorable partnerships in the history of morning news,” said CBS Mornings EP Jon Tower in a memo to staff obtained by Deadline. They have a friendship and chemistry that extends beyond the studio. They know each other, respect each other, and — maybe most importantly — genuinely enjoy each other. To put it simply, I can’t think of a team I’d rather watch navigate the news than Gayle, Nate and Norah.”

King has been working closely with CBS News in the search for a third co-host.

O’Donnell joins as the program ramps up political coverage this fall leading into the Midterms. Her reporting across 60 Minutes and new women’s health podcast, Healthful, is expected to lend the morning broadcast more content and visibility.

Tower’s memo below:

To My Mornings Family – 
It’s my turn to deliver some exciting breaking news — Norah O’Donnell is joining Gayle and Nate as an anchor of CBS Mornings.
This is a homecoming for Norah. As we all know, for seven years, Norah helped lead CBS This Morning alongside Gayle, creating one of the most memorable partnerships in the history of morning news. They have a friendship and chemistry that extends beyond the studio. They know each other, respect each other, and — maybe most importantly — genuinely enjoy each other. To put it simply, I can’t think of a team I’d rather watch navigate the news than Gayle, Nate and Norah. 
At CBS News, Norah needs no introduction — but I’ll remind you about her accomplishments anyway.
Norah has spent the last decade and a half covering the biggest stories. She’s sat down with every living president of the United States, and spoke exclusively with Pope Francis for a first-of-its-kind interview. Norah is a 60 Minutes Correspondent, a New York Times bestselling author, the host of a women’s health podcast, and the former Anchor and Managing Editor of the CBS Evening News.  
All of that experience and energy makes her a perfect match for Gayle and Nate. Gayle is one of the hardest-working and best interviewers in the business, with an unmatched ability to connect with audiences on all topics. And Nate brings curiosity, warmth, spontaneity and a perspective that can take a conversation in a direction none of us expected. 
Put the three of them together, and we have something very special. Add in Vlad Duthiers, Kelly O’Grady, and Adriana Diaz, and we have the strongest cast in morning news. 
I had the privilege of producing Gayle and Norah together years ago, and I saw firsthand the magic that happens when the two of them sit across from someone — or simply start talking to each other. I loved being part of it then, and I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to do it again.
We have an extraordinary team behind the cameras, an extraordinary team in front of them, and an opportunity to build the smartest morning show on TV. 
Please join me in welcoming Norah home.
Jon