Keke Palmer will lead the cast in a television adaptation of the dark comedy film “The ‘Burbs,” which has been given a straight-to-series order by Peacock.
Celeste Hughey, known for her work on “Palm Royale,” “Dead to Me,” and “High Fidelity,” will be adapting the film for the small screen. Seth MacFarlane and Brian Grazer, of Imagine Entertainment which produced the original film, are on board as executive producers. Dana Olsen, the original screenwriter, will serve as co-executive producer.
The series will be filmed at the Universal Studios backlot, the same location as the 1989 movie. “The ‘Burbs,” which starred Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, and Corey Feldman, centers around suburban residents who suspect their new neighbors are involved in ritualistic murders. It was produced by Universal Pictures and grossed over $49 million against an estimated $18 million budget, earning its place as a cult classic.
The series is described as taking place in modern suburbia, where a young couple returns to the husband’s childhood home only to have their lives disrupted by new neighbors who reveal dark secrets of the cul-de-sac and introduce new threats to their seemingly peaceful neighborhood.
Hughey will not only write the series but will also serve as an executive producer alongside Palmer, who will also take on producing duties. MacFarlane aims to bring his creative vision through his Fuzzy Door production banner along with Erica Huggins and Aimee Carlson. Grazer’s production team at Imagine will include Kristen Zolner and Natalie Berkus, while Olsen will co-executive produce. UCP will handle studio responsibilities, with Fuzzy Door already under a comprehensive agreement with UCP.
Palmer is a two-time Emmy Award winner, recognized for her leading role in a short-form comedy series and for hosting the game show “Password.” She has appeared in notable films and television shows such as “Nope,” “Hustlers,” “Akeelah and the Bee,” “True Jackson, VP,” “Scream Queens,” and “Berlin Station.” In addition to her acting career, Palmer is a talented singer with multiple album releases.
Fuzzy Door currently produces the “Ted” prequel series for Peacock, which is preparing for its second season, and has also created the science series “The End Is Nye” featuring Bill Nye. Imagine Entertainment’s recent television work includes “Under the Banner of Heaven” on FX, “Swagger” on Apple TV+, “The Ms. Pat Show” on BET+, and “The Lost Symbol” on Peacock.
Palmer is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, Luna PR, and Hertz Lichtenstein. Hughey is represented by UTA, Kaplan Perrone Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson. Fuzzy Door is represented by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Olsen’s representation includes attorney Daniel Riviera.
“The ‘Burbs” adds to Peacock’s trend of adapting Universal properties for streaming, alongside current series like “Ted” and “Bel-Air,” a dramatic remake of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” as well as previous iterations of “Saved by the Bell” and “Punky Brewster” and “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin.”