Eddie Murphy Takes the Lead in His First Scripted TV Series: The Chairman
Eddie Murphy's New Venture into Scripted Television
Hollywood legend Eddie Murphy is set to make his scripted television debut in a leading role for the upcoming drama series titled The Chairman. This project, currently being developed for the streaming service Peacock, marks a significant milestone in Murphy's illustrious career, which has spanned decades in feature films and sketch comedy.
Although Murphy gained fame as a breakout star on Saturday Night Live and has starred in around 40 films since his first appearance in 48 Hrs., he has never led a scripted television series until now. While he has experience as a creator, having developed the animated series The PJs for Fox and the sitcom The Royal Family for CBS in the 1990s, The Chairman will be his first major role in scripted television.
A Creative Partnership with Matthew Weiner
A Collaboration Between Murphy and Matthew Weiner
The series will be penned and executive produced by Matthew Weiner, the renowned creator of the acclaimed drama Mad Men. This project marks Weiner's return to scripted television after his 2018 Amazon series, The Romanoffs. Weiner, who also contributed as a writer and executive producer on the iconic HBO series The Sopranos, will work closely with Murphy, as both will serve as executive producers for the new show.
Details about the storyline of The Chairman and Murphy's character are still under wraps, with no official announcements from the production team at this stage. The series is being produced by 101 Studios in collaboration with Universal Television, representing a significant development for 101 Studios as it is the first series to emerge from their partnership with NBCUniversal established last year.
Murphy's Recent Projects and Future Endeavors
Production Context and Future Projects
The development of The Chairman comes on the heels of a busy period for Murphy, who recently appeared in the Netflix film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and the Amazon release The Pickup. He was also featured in the 2023 documentary Being Eddie, directed by Angus Wall. Looking ahead, Murphy is expected to reprise his role in the upcoming Shrek sequel, Shrek 5, which is slated for release next year.
For 101 Studios, led by David Glasser, this project enhances a portfolio that includes titles like Landman and MobLand. The studio's partnership with NBCUniversal, which began in January, has been a key focus for the network's recent content strategy. As The Chairman continues to develop, industry experts are keenly observing the collaboration between Murphy and Weiner as a significant addition to Peacock's original programming lineup.