NBC has ordered a primetime game show adaptation of The New York Times’ popular word puzzle Wordle, with “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie as host and late-night star Jimmy Fallon serving as an executive producer.
The series, produced in partnership with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Fallon’s Electric Hot Dog production company, and The New York Times, is scheduled to premiere on NBC in 2027.
Production is expected to begin later this year, with filming already slated for this summer in Manchester, England.
An avid Wordle player herself, Guthrie will lead the fast-paced competition in which teams of contestants race to solve five-letter word puzzles for cash prizes. Fallon announced the project Monday morning on the “Today” show alongside Guthrie.
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| Guthrie, Fallon |
Guthrie expressed excitement about bringing her personal obsession with the puzzle to a national audience. Fallon praised her intelligence, warmth, and genuine love for the game as ideal qualities for the host role.
The show will feature head-to-head team competition in a Wordle-themed arena, staying faithful to the original’s simple yet addictive gameplay while adding television-friendly energy, stakes, and audience interaction. Casting for teams of three contestants is already open.
This marks the latest attempt to translate a digital viral sensation into primetime television, following the success of other game adaptations. The project has been in development for more than two years.
Wordle remains one of the most successful digital games in recent history, known for its once-a-day format, shareable green-and-yellow grid results, and broad appeal across generations. The TV version aims to capture that communal excitement in a studio setting.