NBC has confirmed that a primetime TV show based on the popular online word game Wordle is set to premiere in 2027, with Savannah Guthrie as host. The show will be filmed in Manchester, England, and will air in both the UK and US. Guthrie, who anchors the network’s morning news show Today, will lead contestants as they compete for a cash prize.
The TV series is based on the daily puzzle game of the same name, which has been set by the New York Times since 2022 and challenges players to find a five-letter word in six guesses or fewer. The show’s production was delayed after Guthrie’s mother disappeared in February, but filming is now scheduled to begin later this year.
Wordle TV Show Details
US chat show host Jimmy Fallon’s production company Electric Hot Dog will co-produce the series, and Fallon has expressed his enthusiasm for working with Guthrie. The show’s episodes will last half an hour and will replicate the Wordle typeface and color scheme. The collaboration between the New York Times and NBC follows the publication’s move into games apps in recent years.
Wordle was originally created by Welsh software engineer Josh Wardle in 2021 and was acquired by the New York Times in 2022. The game has become a daily phenomenon, with a single puzzle released every day and all players attempting to solve the same word. Casting for the first season of the TV series is now open.
The TV show’s format will be based on the online game, with contestants having six attempts to guess a five-letter word, receiving feedback only through colored tiles. Guthrie has previously noted how the word game had been a point of connection between her and her mother, who is still missing.
Implications and Next Steps
The launch of the Wordle TV show marks a significant milestone in the game’s evolution, from a simple online puzzle to a primetime TV series. The show’s success will depend on its ability to translate the online game’s engaging format into a compelling TV experience. With Guthrie at the helm, the show is poised to attract a wide audience and become a staple of American television.
The collaboration between NBC and the New York Times also highlights the growing trend of media companies expanding into new formats and platforms. As the TV landscape continues to evolve, the success of the Wordle TV show will be closely watched by industry insiders and fans alike. The show’s premiere in 2027 will be a significant event, with broader implications for the future of game-based TV programming.
