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Matthew Weiner Exits Eddie Murphy's Peacock Drama 'The Chairman'
Confirmed
In Short: Matthew Weiner, the acclaimed creator of 'Mad Men,' has exited Peacock's upcoming drama series 'The Chairman,' which stars Eddie Murphy.
Matthew Weiner, the acclaimed creator of 'Mad Men,' has exited Peacock's upcoming drama series 'The Chairman,' which stars Eddie Murphy. The project was in development at Peacock and would have marked Murphy's first scripted series and live-action starring role since his days on 'Saturday Night Live.'
Weiner's departure is a significant setback for the project, which was seen as a unique collaboration between two high-profile figures each navigating a notable career lull. Weiner's involvement in the project was expected to generate industry intrigue, but now the series faces an unexpected creative shake-up.
A new showrunner is expected to be named in the coming days, and the writers room, most of whom are expected to stay on, has gone on a two-week hiatus to accommodate the transition. The project, from David Glasser’s 101 Studios and Universal Television, is closing in on a new showrunner and will be moving forward.
The exact details of the disagreement between Weiner and the producers have not been fully disclosed. However, sources suggest that Glasser and 101 Studios want to work with someone who will deliver more of their formula, rather than with a creative voice like Weiner.
Peacock has not released an official synopsis or announced additional cast members, leaving the show's premise and Murphy's character largely under wraps. The series would have marked Weiner's first TV writing credit since 2018’s 'The Romanoffs,' a single-season Prime Video series that was met with a largely critical reception.
Eddie Murphy's involvement in the project is significant, as he has not starred in a scripted TV series over the course of his acting career. His only scripted role for a TV series was as one of the lead voice actors of the animated series 'The PJs,' which ran for three seasons from 1999 to 2001.
The project is also the first announced project under 101 Studios' first-look deal with NBCUniversal, which began in January. If Peacock officially greenlights the project, it would be the first time Murphy has starred in a live-action scripted series.
The next real test for 'The Chairman' is whether Peacock can recruit a replacement capable of generating the same industry intrigue Weiner’s involvement originally brought to the project.
What this adds
The series would have marked Weiner's first TV writing credit since 2018’s 'The Romanoffs,' a single-season Prime Video series that was met with a largely critical reception.
What's confirmed
- Black Excellence within the Black Experience of TV and Film Matthew Weiner has exited The Chairman, the high-profile drama series starring Eddie Murphy in development at Peacock, Deadline confirmed, with the news first reported by Variety.
- The Chairman would mark Murphy’s first scripted series and his first live-action starring role since his Saturday Night Live days, as well as 101 Studios’ first announced project under its first-look deal with NBCUniversal, which began in January.
- A new showrunner is expected to be named in the coming days, and the writers room, most of whom are expected to stay on, has gone on a two-week hiatus to accommodate the transition.
- For Weiner, the departure is a significant setback.
- Plot details about the new series have not been disclosed.
- LOS ANGELES - JUL 20: Matthew Weiner at the 2019 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival Screening Of "Sell By" at the Chinese Theater 6 on July 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA Matthew Weiner, the acclaimed creator of Mad Men, has abruptly exited Peacock’s upcoming Eddie Murphy-led drama The Chairman, leaving the project facing an unexpected creative shake-up.
What's still developing
- Pairing two high-profile figures each navigating a notable career lull, Weiner coming off The Romanoffs and Murphy pursuing yet another reinvention, made the project a genuinely unusual bet from the start, one that’s now lost half of what made it distinctive before a single episode has aired.
- Insane move to let him go If your star is Eddie Murphy and he wants someone out, you agree with Mr Murphy because he’s the reason 90% of your audience will watch.
- If you hire Weiner to write you a script, you take the script he writes you and say thank you.
- Unfortunately, this Hollywood collaboration has hit a roadblock before the series has properly found its footing.
- The series earned him multiple awards and established his reputation for intricate character studies and morally complicated storytelling.
- (And then twice more as planned.) Murphy later went on to star in dozens of films, including the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, 1996’s The Nutty Professor, 1998’s Doctor Dolittle, 2003’s The Haunted Mansion, 2003’s Daddy Day Care, 2008’s Meet Dave and 2023’s You People.
- He served as a cast member on the sketch comedy series for four seasons from 1980 to 1984.
- Murphy’s also voiced multiple characters, such as Donkey in the Shrek franchise and Thurgoode Orenthal Stubbs in The PJs.
- In 2013, he was set to return as Axel Foley for a Beverly Hills Cop TV series at CBS, but the network ultimately passed on the pilot.
- That is officially changing following the comedy legend's casting in a new TV show in the works at Peacock.