Matthew Weiner Leaves Eddie Murphy’s Peacock Series as Showrunner
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Eddie Murphy is also a producer of *The Chairman*.
The Hollywood Reporter - Chris McCarthy’s overall deal with NBCUniversal makes *The Chairman* the first project under that deal.
Deadline - Matthew Weiner, creator of *Mad Men*, had been attached to *The Chairman* as its writer, executive producer, and showrunner.
Deadline - *The Chairman* stars Eddie Murphy.
Deadline - The project is from David Glasser’s 101 Studios and Universal Television.
Variety - Eddie Murphy is attached to star in *The Chairman*.
Coming Soon - The series had an originally attached showrunner who departed; Peacock has tapped a new showrunning team, whose members were expected to be revealed in the coming days.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The *The Chairman* writers room was shuttered during the transition.
The Hollywood Reporter - The series’ plot remains under wraps.
The Hollywood Reporter - *The Chairman* would be Murphy’s first TV series regular role since *Saturday Night Live*.
The Hollywood Reporter - Murphy was a cast member on *Saturday Night Live* for four seasons and hosted once as a cast member when Nick Nolte fell sick.
Deadline - Weiner has departed *The Chairman*, a drama series in development at Peacock.
Variety - Weiner is no longer involved with the Peacock drama series *The Chairman*.
Coming Soon - Weiner’s departure was described as a production setback for Murphy’s first scripted show.
Coming Soon - The series had been announced only a few days before the report.
WHERE:
Deadline - *The Chairman* is in development at Peacock.
Variety - The series is in development at Peacock.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - The writers room had been shuttered for two weeks.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Weiner’s departure followed a clash with producers; the reason given was “creative differences.”
Variety - Sources attributed Weiner’s exit to creative differences.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - 101 Studios has a first-look film and television deal at NBCUniversal.
Deadline - The project is being developed by 101 Studios and Universal Television.
Coming Soon - Peacock had already tapped a new showrunning team; the article said the team would be revealed in the coming days.
(UPDATED October 30, 2026 20:01 UTC)
Matthew Weiner has left Peacock’s Eddie Murphy drama, *The Chairman*, over creative differences. The writers’ room has closed during the transition, and the plot remains under wraps. Murphy is also producing the series, now seeking a new showrunning team.
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(UPDATED October 30, 2026 15:07 UTC)
Matthew Weiner has left Peacock’s developing drama The Chairman over creative differences. Eddie Murphy remains attached to star in the series, his first scripted show. Peacock has tapped a new showrunning team, with members to be revealed soon.