NBC has given a series order to a TV adaptation of the New York Times game “Wordle” hosted by “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie and executive produced by Jimmy Fallon. The game show will premiere sometime in 2027.
Guthrie and Fallon announced the “Wordle” greenlight during Monday’s broadcast of “Today,” on which Guthrie has served as an anchor since 2012. In early February, she took a hiatus from the NBC morning news show amid the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, and the subsequent FBI investigation. Though the search for her mother is ongoing and has received nationwide attention, Guthrie returned to “Today” on April 6.
Per an official description from NBC, Guthrie is an avid “Wordle” player herself, and the TV version of the game “challenges players to solve five-letter word puzzles in a supersized battle of smarts, speed and fun. It builds on the way the puzzle community engages with Wordle every day — solving together, sharing wins, debating strategies and cheering one another on. Now, that style of play comes to life as the most-obsessed and competitive players will team up in squads and go head-to-head in the ‘Wordle’ arena, playing for an incredible cash prize.”
A casting call for “Wordle” has opened, and production on the show is set to begin later this year.
In a Q&A about the new show published by the New York Times, the company’s head of games Jonathan Knight said that “‘Wordle’ is already a social and shared experience. People don’t just play it, they talk about it, compare results and solve together,” and therefore developing the game show “was about translating the actual experience of playing ‘Wordle’ with your friends, and delivering something that ‘Wordle’ fans will expect. That meant being thoughtful about the show’s gameplay structure, the pacing and how players interact.”
“Wordle” was reported to be in development back in October. The series is executive produced by Jimmy Fallon via his Electric Hot Dog banner. “Wordle” adds to a substantial slate at NBC from Fallon, who also produces a “Password” reboot hosted by Keke Palmer, in addition to hosting “That’s My Jam” and “On Brand” in addition to “The Tonight Show.”
Universal Television Alternative Studio produces “Wordle” in partnership with Electric Hot Dog and the New York Times. The original mobile game was created by software engineer Josh Wardle in 2021 before being acquired in 2022 by the New York Times, where it attracts millions of players daily. Executive producers include Fallon and Jim Juvonen for Electric Hot Dog as well as Caitlin Roper and Knight for The New York Times. Wes Kauble will also executive produce and serve as showrunner. The “Wordle” format will by licensed by NBCUniversal Formats.
“I feel very honored to be working with Savannah Guthrie on this show,” said Fallon in a statement. “Savannah has that rare combination of intelligence, charm and warmth that makes everyone feel instantly welcome. And she obviously knows how to host a show. I am SUPERPROUD and HAPPY and I think we developed a SOLID GAMER for PRIME-time.”
“’Wordle’ is one of the most successful and culturally resonant games of the past decade,” said Sharon Vuong, executive vice President of unscripted programming at NBC. “This series is a natural extension of NBC’s legacy in the game show space, and with the incredible Savannah at the helm and our partners at UTAS, Electric Hot Dog and The New York Times, we’re excited to bring a smart, joyful and distinctly NBC take to this global phenomenon.”
“We’re eager, happy, giddy — all of those five letter words and more — to bring ‘Wordle’ to life for television,” said Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. “The New York Times word game has been played billions of times, and our goal is to create an equally addictive show. Savannah brings the perfect blend of warmth and wit to deliver exactly that.”
“Several years ago, The New York Times began developing a ‘Wordle’ game show. Teaming up with Jimmy Fallon to develop the game for NBC was a perfect fit,” said Roper, executive editorial director of film and TV at the Times. “We wanted to honor the specific thrill of Wordle, the way people play and share their scores with each other, but also make something new for TV. Like Jimmy, Savannah is a passionate Wordle player — she even solved on TV in Times Square. No one gets what our contestants will go through like she does.”
The “Wordle” news comes just hours ahead of NBCUniversal’s presentation to advertisers at upfronts in New York City.
variety.com
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