Summary
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Universal is officially expanding the Fast & Furious universe into live-action television, with a spin-off series currently in development for its streaming platform, Peacock
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Franchise star and patriarch Vin Diesel announced the news at the NBCUniversal upfront presentation in New York City, serving as an executive producer on the project
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While Diesel excitedly told the upfront crowd that Peacock was launching four different shows from the Fast universe, industry sources were quick to clarify that only one series is actually in development
The “Fast Family” is officially taking a detour to streaming. Just when audiences thought the finish line was approaching with the franchise’s highly anticipated eleventh and final cinematic installment, Universal is proving there is still plenty of gas in the tank. During NBCUniversal‘s recent upfront presentation in New York City, franchise star Vin Diesel took the stage to announce that a live-action Fast & Furious TV series is officially in development for Peacock.
In true, larger-than-life Dominic Toretto fashion, the announcement did not come without a bit of unexpected drama. While hyping up the crowd, Diesel confidently proclaimed, “The news that I have here today is that Peacock is launching four shows from the Fast and Furious universe.” However, Variety and insiders familiar with the project were quick to pump the brakes, clarifying that while the creative ambition is there, only one live-action series has actually been greenlit for development.
According to Diesel, a jump to television has been a long-standing goal for the creative team, but it took the right leadership to finally make it happen. The actor credited Donna Langley, chairman and chief content officer of NBCUniversal Studio Group, for successfully championing the project. “For the last decade, the desire has been for us to enter the TV space,” Diesel shared at the presentation. “It became [the right time] when Donna Langley started to oversee it all, because that’s when I knew that the integrity of the characters, the international appeal, what makes us all feel like family would be protected in the TV space.”
While plot details and casting for the series remain tightly under wraps, Diesel will serve as an executive producer. The move marks a massive intellectual property play for Peacock, mirroring Universal’s recent successful strategy of adapting established theatrical franchises like Ted, Pitch Perfect, and Chucky into streaming hits.
Whether the show focuses on beloved legacy characters, introduces a new crew of international street racers, or finally takes the franchise to even more absurd heights, one thing is certain: the Fast & Furious saga is far from over. As development ramps up on the Peacock series, fans can rest easy knowing the billion-dollar engine driving this universe is still roaring.
