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Eddie Murphy to star in Peacock drama "The Chairman" from Matthew Weiner

Eddie Murphy is set to star in "The Chairman," a drama series in development at Peacock from "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner. It would be Murphy's first headlining role in a scripted series.

4 outlets · 2L · 2C · 0R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter.

Image: Variety
Image: Deadline
Image: Screen Rant
Image: The Hollywood Reporter

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The story, neutrally told

Eddie Murphy is attached to star in "The Chairman," a drama series in development at Peacock and created by Matthew Weiner. Variety says that if the project is greenlit it will be Murphy's first role in a live-action scripted series; Deadline describes it as his first scripted series, noting he has never headlined one. Plot details have not been disclosed.

The series comes from Universal Television and 101 Studios, the company run by David Glasser and behind "Yellowstone"-related shows, which has been under a first-look deal at NBCUniversal since January. It is the first project from 101 under that deal, and Variety adds it is the first to emerge from ex-Paramount boss Chris McCarthy's NBCUniversal deal, which was first reported in November 2025. Murphy and Weiner are producers; Deadline says Weiner writes and both executive produce.

Murphy began on "Saturday Night Live" (1980-84), and his only prior scripted TV work was voice acting on "The PJs", which he co-created; Deadline also notes he created "The Royal Family" for CBS in the 1990s. Weiner created "Mad Men" (AMC, 2007-2015) and worked on "The Sopranos"; Deadline notes he has not had a series picked up since Amazon's "The Romanoffs" in 2018. Deadline adds that Murphy's recent work includes the Netflix documentary "Being Eddie", "The Pickup" and "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F", with "Shrek 5" due next year.

The Hollywood Reporter calls it Murphy's first TV series regular role since "Saturday Night Live", describes him as Oscar-nominated (for "Dreamgirls" in 2007) and Emmy-winning, and says Weiner has won nine Emmys. Screen Rant, citing Deadline, says Murphy is set to star and that it will be his first time starring in a scripted series.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left2 outlets

Framing
Variety and The Hollywood Reporter report that Murphy is 'attached' or 'cast' in a series still in development; Variety adds 'if greenlit' and NBCUniversal deal detail, while THR leads with his 'scripted television debut'.
Emphasis
Development status, the NBCUniversal/101 Studios/Chris McCarthy deal, and Murphy's and Weiner's credits and awards.
Leaves out or plays down
Weiner's gap since 2018 and Murphy's recent projects.
Charged language
“all-time greatest comedians”
For example
“If greenlit, the project will mark his first-ever role in a live-action scripted series.” — Variety
“Eddie Murphy is set to make his scripted television debut.” — The Hollywood Reporter

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Deadline and Screen Rant present Murphy as moving into scripted TV; Screen Rant frames it as 'making TV history' and relays Deadline's scoop.
Emphasis
Murphy's film career, Weiner's absence since 2018, 101 Studios' other shows; Screen Rant stresses the historic angle.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither stresses greenlight uncertainty or McCarthy's role.
Charged language
“Officially Making TV History”
For example
“Eddie Murphy is heading back to the small screen for his first scripted series.” — Deadline
“Eddie Murphy and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner are making TV history together.” — Screen Rant

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.