Matthew Weiner is no longer involved in the drama series “The Chairman” currently in development at Peacock, Variety learned exclusively from sources.
The project 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 show’s producers led them to part ways.
A new showrunning team is already in place and will be announced in the coming days. The show’s writers’ room was suspended for two weeks due to the arrival of new creative managers.
The exact plot details of “The Chairman” remain under wraps. If picked up to series, it would be the first live-action series Murphy has starred in since his days as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member.
The series will be produced by Universal Television and 101 Studios, led by “Yellowstone” executive producer David Glasser. 101 is currently in an initial film and television deal at NBCUniversal which began in January. “The Chairman” will also be the first project to emerge from former Paramount boss Chris McCarthy’s deal with NBCUniversal, which was first reported in November 2025 and cast him in a consulting role on the studio’s relationship with Glasser and 101. Murphy is a producer on “The Chairman” in addition to playing the lead role.
Weiner is best known for creating the landmark television series “Mad Men,” which aired for seven seasons on AMC and won 16 Emmy Awards. “The Chairman,” assuming it gets the green light, would have marked Weiner’s first TV writing credit since 2018, when he created the Amazon Prime Video series “The Romanoffs.”
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