Culture 2 min read By Trevor Kendall
Matthew Weiner Leaves Peacock Drama The Chairman Starring Eddie Murphy
Matthew Weiner is no longer attached to The Chairman, the drama in development at Peacock with Eddie Murphy set to star, according to sources who spoke to Variety.
Matthew Weiner is no longer involved with “The Chairman,” the drama series in development at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively from sources. The project, produced by 101 Studios, was first reported to be in the works at the streamer less than a month ago, with Eddie Murphy attached to star.
According to sources, creative differences between Weiner and the production led to his departure. The sources did not detail the nature of those differences, and it remains unclear what the series will look like with a new creative direction. The project is still in development, and no premiere date or replacement showrunner has been announced.
The exit is a notable development for a series that drew attention largely because of its pairing of a prestige television writer with a major film star. Weiner is best known as the creator of “Mad Men,” the AMC drama that won multiple Emmy Awards and became one of the defining series of the early prestige-TV era. Murphy, meanwhile, is one of the most recognizable comedic actors in American film, and his involvement signaled Peacock’s ambition to land high-profile talent for its scripted slate.
The news arrives during a busy stretch for the streaming and entertainment industry. Related development items in recent days include Netflix’s work on a live-action series adaptation of the battle royale video game PUBG, which Emmy winner Donald Glover will direct and star in, writing and executive producing alongside his brother Stephen Glover. Separately, the faith-based comedy “Shelf Life,” from the producers of the biblical drama “The Promised Land,” has cast Jim O’Heir and Zachary Levi and is set to premiere exclusively on the Angel platform in 2027.
Peacock has not publicly commented on Weiner’s departure in the reporting available so far. As the project moves forward, the central question for the streamer is whether it can keep its marquee casting while finding a new creative lead for a series that was only recently announced.
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