Matthew Weiner Leaves 'The Chairman' After One Month

Less than one month after reports that Eddie Murphy was attached to star in a new drama for Peacock, the show's creator has exited the project. Matthew Weiner is no longer involved with 'The Chairman,' a development confirmed by sources familiar with the production.

Sources attribute the departure to creative differences between Weiner and the show's producers. The separation occurred quickly, marking a swift change in leadership for the series currently in development at the streamer.

Production is not halted, but the writers' room is on a two-week hiatus. This pause allows a new showrunning team to come aboard. Representatives expect to announce the new creative leads in the coming days.

The series remains shrouded in secrecy regarding its specific plot. However, the production involves major industry players. Universal Television and 101 Studios are producing the show. 101 is run by David Glasser, an executive producer on 'Yellowstone.' The company holds a first-look film and television deal with NBCUniversal that began in January.

The project also represents the first output from ex-Paramount head Chris McCarthy. McCarthy signed a consulting deal with NBCUniversal in November 2025 to advise on the studio's relationship with Glasser and 101. Murphy serves as both a producer and the lead actor in the series.

If the show is greenlit, it would be Murphy's first starring role in a live-action television series since his tenure on 'Saturday Night Live.' For Weiner, the exit ends a potential return to writing. 'The Chairman' would have been his first TV writing credit since creating 'The Romanoffs' for Amazon Prime Video in 2018. His previous work, 'Mad Men,' ran for seven seasons on AMC and collected 16 Emmy Awards.