Eddie Murphy to Star in Matthew Weiner's Peacock Drama 'The Chairman'

Key points

• Eddie Murphy is attached to star in 'The Chairman,' a drama series in development at Peacock.
• The series is created by Matthew Weiner, known for 'Mad Men' and 'The Sopranos.'
• This will be Murphy's first live-action scripted series role since his time on 'Saturday Night Live' (1980-1984).
• The project is produced by 101 Studios and Universal Television.
• It is the first project from 101 Studios under its new deal with NBCUniversal, which began in January 2026.
• It is also the first project for Chris McCarthy, a former Paramount executive, under his new consulting role with NBCUniversal.

Background

Eddie Murphy has had a long career in film and comedy, including the 'Beverly Hills Cop' franchise and 'Coming to America.' He has not headlined a scripted series since 'Saturday Night Live.' Matthew Weiner is best known for creating 'Mad Men' and has not had a series picked up since 'The Romanoffs' in 2018. The 2026-27 television season has seen a resurgence in scripted orders for broadcast networks, but streaming services like Peacock continue to develop new content.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources (Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and A.V. Club) report the same core facts: Murphy is starring in 'The Chairman' for Peacock, created by Weiner, and produced by 101 Studios and Universal Television. Deadline and Variety emphasize the significance of this being Murphy's first scripted series and Weiner's first series since 'The Romanoffs.' The Hollywood Reporter notes the project's connection to Chris McCarthy's new deal with NBCUniversal. A.V. Club adds context about Weiner's limited output since 'The Romanoffs' and Murphy's eclectic career, noting that both have had limited creative output in recent years. No sources disagree on the basic facts.

Why it matters

This project represents a significant shift for Eddie Murphy, who has primarily focused on film and comedy specials for decades. It also marks a return to scripted television for Matthew Weiner, a highly regarded creator who has not had a series since 2018. The project highlights the ongoing development of new content for Peacock and the strategic moves by 101 Studios and NBCUniversal.

What to watch

Details about the plot and production schedule for 'The Chairman' have not been disclosed. The series is currently in development at Peacock.