Morgan Freeman, 86, was unable to attend a planned press trip to the UK alongside his co-stars Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman for their upcoming spy thriller 'Special Ops: Lioness.' Freeman had fallen ill and developed a "fever" leading doctors to suspect a "contagious infection." Consequently, he decided to remain in the United States to recuperate.

Freeman's absence was conspicuous as Zoe and Nicole diligently fulfilled their promotional duties in London, attending a screening of their Paramount+ show on Tuesday, July 11. The pair also made an appearance on 'The One Show,' where host Alex Jones expressed she was "gutted" over Freeman's absence.

Is Morgan Freeman OK?

In response to inquiries about Freeman's nonattendance, his representative informed, "Morgan has a fever, and his doctor believed he had a contagious infection, so he canceled his trip. He is fine now." It is worth noting that Freeman also manages fibromyalgia, a condition that causes chronic pain and fatigue. Meanwhile, Freeman is actively preparing for the release of his latest project, the Paramount+ series 'Special Ops: Lioness.'

Introducing 'Special Ops: Lioness'

The spy thriller, inspired by a real-life CIA program, follows the story of marine Joe, played by Zoe Saldana, as she navigates the challenges of her personal and professional life as a key operative in the CIA's war on terror. The show, written by Taylor Sheridan, renowned for his westerns, marks a departure into a new genre for the writer. Freeman who portrays Edwin Mullins, the United States secretary of state, in the highly anticipated series, set to premiere on July 23.

His co-stars, Zoe and Nicole, have been extensively engaged in promotional activities, attending a photocall at IET London and a screening at Tate Britain. The show's cast also includes Laysla De Oliveira, Michael Kelly, Bassem Youssef, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur, and Hannah Love Lanier. Moreover, Zoe and Nicole have taken on executive producer roles for the series, which was produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios exclusively for Paramount+. The premiere will feature the first two episodes, followed by a weekly release of subsequent episodes, with the series finale scheduled for September 3.