Eddie Murphy Set for First Scripted TV Role
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Post By
DJ Longers
- October 6, 2026
‘Small Screen Debut’: Eddie Murphy Set for First Scripted TV Role in Drama Series From Mad Men Creator
By [Your Name], Television & Entertainment Correspondent
Monday, 5 October 2026
LOS ANGELES — Hollywood icon Eddie Murphy is preparing to make his scripted television drama debut after signing on to lead The Chairman, an upcoming series developed for Peacock by acclaimed Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner.
The project marks a major milestone in the 65-year-old actor’s four-decade career. While Murphy rose to international superstardom on NBC's Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s before dominating the global box office with classics like Beverly Hills Cop and Trading Places, he has never previously headlined a scripted television drama series.
The series is being produced by Universal Television alongside 101 Studios (Yellowstone, Landman), marking the first major project under a new production agreement with NBCUniversal.
A Prestige Pairing for Peacock
While plot details for The Chairman remain closely guarded under studio NDA, industry reports confirm that Weiner will serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer, with Murphy also taking an executive producer credit.
The commission represents a major creative comeback for Weiner, whose multi-Emmy-winning drama Mad Men and writing tenure on HBO's The Sopranos cemented his reputation as one of modern television's foremost showrunners. The Chairman marks his first series creation since 2018's star-studded anthology The Romanoffs for Amazon Prime Video.
"Bringing together one of cinema's most magnetic leading men with one of television's greatest storytellers is a monumental moment," a source close to the production noted following initial trade confirmation. "Eddie has incredible dramatic range, and Matthew excels at building complex, character-driven worlds."
Bridging Film and Television
Although best known as a box office powerhouse and comedic force, Murphy previously earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for his dramatic turn as soul singer James "Thunder" Early in 2006's Dreamgirls.
His return to television comes amidst a busy period for the star. Following recent film entries including Netflix's Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and the documentary Being Eddie, Murphy is set to reprise his voice role as Donkey in DreamWorks' Shrek 5 next year.
Industry analysts highlight that securing an A-list movie star of Murphy's stature signals Peacock's aggressive push to expand its prestige drama portfolio alongside rival streaming networks.
Development Timeline
Writer's room assembly and pre-production planning are currently underway in Los Angeles.
Further casting announcements and production schedules for The Chairman are expected to be unveiled by NBCUniversal and 101 Studios over the coming months as scripts are finalized.
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