Peacock renews The Five Star Weekend

Peacock renewed “The Five Star Weekend” for a second season on Wednesday after the Jennifer Garner-led drama became the streamer’s top scripted series in overall reach, according to Peacock and TheWrap. The renewal came less than a month after the series premiered on July 9 as an eight-episode binge release. TheWrap reported the adaptation had reached 2.1 billion minutes watched, while Peacock’s corporate newsroom said the show stood at 1.8 billion minutes watched when the renewal was announced. Both said the series ranked as Peacock’s No. 1 scripted title in overall reach. ### Why did Peacock move now instead of waiting longer? Aug. 5 was the date Peacock disclosed the Season 2 pickup, tying the renewal directly to the show’s early audience performance. TheWrap said the series had “cracked” 2.1 billion minutes watched, and NBCUniversal said preliminary Nielsen data placed it among the top five streaming original series during its first two weeks after debut. (thewrap.com) July 17 was an earlier sign of that momentum. TheWrap reported then that “The Five Star Weekend” had already crossed 1 billion viewing minutes in its first week on platform, making it Peacock’s top scripted series to date. That earlier report helps explain why the company was already framing the show as a breakout less than two weeks after launch. (thewrap.com) ### What exactly is the show that got renewed? “The Five Star Weekend” is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel of the same name and stars Garner as Hollis Shaw, a cook and bestselling author dealing with a devastating loss. Peacock describes the story as centered on Hollis bringing together friends from different phases of her life at her Nantucket home. (thewrap.com) The cast includes D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Harlow Jane and Timothy Olyphant, according to Peacock’s series page. Bekah Brunstetter developed the adaptation, and TheWrap reported in July that Brunstetter had discussed “hopes for many more seasons” after the Season 1 finale. (variety.com) ### Why are there two different viewing totals? TheWrap cited 2.1 billion minutes watched in its Aug. 5 report, while NBCUniversal’s newsroom post the same day cited 1.8 billion minutes watched. Neither item in the material reviewed explained the gap. Both, however, described the same broader outcome: the series had become Peacock’s No. 1 scripted series of all time in overall reach. (peacocktv.com) Preliminary Nielsen data was also part of Peacock’s case for the renewal. NBCUniversal said the show ranked among the top five streaming originals in its first two weeks, while TheWrap separately reported that same Nielsen-based positioning alongside Peacock’s internal audience figures. ### What does Season 2 have to work with creatively? (thewrap.com) July 11 was when Brunstetter told TheWrap she had identified “a new fifth star” for a potential second season. TheWrap’s interview said the showrunner discussed changes from Hilderbrand’s book, the Season 1 finale and the possibility of extending the story beyond the source novel. Variety reported the series had originally been presented as a limited series adaptation, making the renewal a notable shift from a one-book event to an ongoing franchise for Peacock. That places the next season in line with other streamers’ practice of extending strong-performing literary adaptations beyond their initial setup. (thewrap.com) ### Where can viewers find the first season now? Peacock says all eight episodes of Season 1 are currently streaming on the service. The platform’s show pages and blog posts continue to promote the series, including cast guides, episode rundowns and a renewal post confirming that Season 2 is in development. (variety.com) No premiere date for Season 2 was announced on Aug. 5. For now, Peacock’s next public milestone is the development of the second season, while Season 1 remains available in full on the service with Garner, Brunstetter and the ensemble cast attached to the series. (nbcuniversal.com) (peacocktv.com)