Eddie Murphy set for first ever scripted TV series in The Chairman
Eddie Murphy has never appeared in a live action scripted TV series, but that appears to be about to change.
Eddie Murphy is set to make his live action scripted TV debut in new series The Chairman.
The 65-year-old actor, who got his start on Saturday Night Live! before launching a big screen career with around 40 credits to his name, has never starred in his own live action television series.
According to the likes of Variety and Deadline, Murphy has been cast in Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner's The Chairman.
The drama is in development at Peacock and is waiting to be greenlit.
While details are being kept under wraps, Weiner is on board to write and executive produce.
The project will marked the first series he's had picked up since 2018's The Romanoffs for Amazon.
Yellowstone producer Universal Television and 101 Studios are involved too, with the latter also behind the likes as Landman and MobLand.
Since leaving SNL after four seasons in 1984, Murphy has largely focused on stand-up comedy specials and films, including the likes of Coming To America, Dr. Dolittle, and the Beverly Hills Cop franchise.
He did have one script TV role in the past, but it was voice acting on his own animated series The PJs.
Last year, Murphy insisted he isn't motivated by accolades and recognition, and instead he'd rather focus on making "good stuff" as his top priority.
Asked if awards recognition is still on his mind, he told The Hollywood Reporter: "What’s on my mind is just doing good stuff and only doing stuff that I’m going to have fun doing.
"I don’t think about winning trophies. I got a bunch of trophies. I got everything but an Oscar, and I’m not like, 'This is going to get the Oscar.'
"The fact of the matter is, if I never win an Oscar, eventually they’ll give me one of those honorary Oscars when I’m 90 years old. If they made me wait that long, I’m going to wear a sky blue tuxedo, and when they give me the Oscar, I’m going to urinate on myself while I’m giving a speech!"
Most recently in 2025, Murphy appeared in heist comedy The Pickup as well as Netflix documentary Being Eddie, while he will be back as the voice of Donkey next year in Shrek 5.
