Matthew Weiner Exits Peacock, 101 Studios Series ‘The Chairman’ Starring Eddie Murphy (EXCLUSIVE)
Matthew Weiner has left Peacock’s developing drama series “The Chairman” after creative differences with its producers. A new showrunning team is in place, and the writers’ room is taking a two-week break as the new leads join; plot details remain undisclosed.
Eddie Murphy is attached to star and produce. If commissioned, the series would be his first starring role in a live-action series since “Saturday Night Live”, and Weiner’s first television writing credit since “The Romanoffs” in 2018. Universal Television and 101 Studios, led by David Glasser, are producing; the project is the first to emerge from former Paramount chief Chris McCarthy’s NBCUniversal deal.
In short
- Matthew Weiner has exited “The Chairman” over creative differences.
- A new showrunning team is taking over after a two-week writers’ room hiatus.
- Eddie Murphy remains attached to star and produce.
Explained simply
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service, where programmes are commissioned for viewers to watch online. A developing series is still being written and assembled; it has not necessarily been ordered for production, and its plot has not been made public.
Eddie Murphy is an actor and comedian who is also attached to produce the project. Matthew Weiner is a television writer and producer known for “Mad Men”; Universal Television and 101 Studios are producing the series, with 101 Studios led by David Glasser.
The project is the first to emerge from a deal between NBCUniversal and Chris McCarthy, a former Paramount executive. Its progress matters to the companies and the people involved, but the series’ eventual production and release depend on whether it is commissioned.