Vin Diesel’s ‘Fast & Furious’ Live-Action Series Officially Greenlit by Peacock

For 25 years, the ‘Fast & Furious‘ franchise has revolved around family, high-speed cars, and increasingly daring stunts. What started as a street-racing drama in 2001, featuring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, and Michelle Rodriguez, has evolved into a global action saga that has amassed over $7 billion at the worldwide box office. The pressing question now is whether a ‘Fast & Furious’ TV series can replicate that same excitement on the small screen.

The franchise has previously ventured into television, but only through animated series. Netflix’s ‘Fast & Furious Spy Racers’ aired from 2019 to 2021, yet a live-action show has yet to be produced. Fans have long expressed their desire for more content, and Diesel seemed to acknowledge this demand during NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation in May.

Now, the series is officially in the works. According to Deadline, which broke the news on Oct. 1, Peacock has greenlit the first live-action ‘Fast & Furious’ series, with Diesel serving as executive producer. The show is set to premiere in 2028, coinciding with the conclusion of the franchise’s film saga.

The creative team is already established. Mike Daniels, known for ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and Peacock’s ‘Ponies,’ along with Wolfe Coleman from ‘9-1-1: Lone Star,’ wrote the pilot and will act as co-showrunners. They will executive produce alongside Diesel, Sam Vincent of One Race, Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Chris Morgan.

Universal Television is behind the currently untitled series. While plot details remain under wraps, Peacock has not disclosed whether any characters from the films will make an appearance. Given that Moritz’s Original Film also produces the movies, it suggests the show will maintain a strong connection to the franchise’s essence.

During the May upfront, Diesel informed the audience that Peacock was launching four shows within the ‘Fast & Furious’ universe. However, Peacock later clarified that only one was actively in development, which has now been officially ordered. Diesel mentioned that the move into television stemmed from years of fans wanting to see the legacy characters and their stories further explored.

He also acknowledged a shift within the studio. Diesel reportedly became more open to the idea after Universal Studios chief Donna Langley took charge of NBCUniversal’s television operations last year. This change paved the way for a franchise that Diesel has been protective of.

The timing is strategic. The 11th and final film in the main series, ‘Fast Forever,’ is set to release on March 17, 2028. It is anticipated to return the story to Los Angeles and reunite Dom Toretto with Brian O’Conner.

However, getting that finale produced has not been without challenges. The franchise last hit theaters with ‘Fast X’ in 2023, which ended on a cliffhanger, and a sequel has faced numerous release date changes since then. A report last October indicated that Universal would not greenlight it if the budget exceeded $200 million, and the title along with the 2028 date was only announced in January.

This makes the TV order a significant show of confidence. With the film saga nearing its end, Peacock’s series provides a way to keep the universe alive beyond Dom’s final journey. It also offers Universal a fresh avenue for a franchise that has been striving for its next phase.

With no title, cast, or plot details available yet, many questions linger. Will the series focus on legacy characters like Dom’s crew, or will it introduce a new generation of drivers? Additionally, how will it connect to ‘Fast Forever’ without overshadowing the finale?

For now, the key points are clear: a pilot has been written, a showrunner team is in place, and a 2028 premiere is the goal. Diesel’s role as executive producer indicates that the core themes of the franchise, particularly family, will remain central.

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