The new TV series The ‘Burbs on Peacock is bringing the quirky spirit of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie to a new generation. Many fans wondered if this show is a direct sequel set in the same universe, or a brand-new story. Show creator Celeste Hughey has provided a clear answer, explaining the thoughtful connection between the beloved cult classic and her modern adaptation.
The eight-episode first season, which began streaming on February 8, 2026, stars Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall. It takes the core idea of neighborly suspicion from the original film and builds a new mystery around it. While it’s a fresh start with new characters, the series is packed with winks, references, and a very special cameo that honors the film’s legacy.
From Movie to TV Series: A New Story in a Familiar Setting
The original plan for the show involved a much more direct link to the 1989 film. Creator Celeste Hughey initially wanted the series to exist in the same universe, potentially following the son of Tom Hanks’ character, Ray Peterson.
“On paper, the notion of Dave Peterson – the son of Ray and Carol – being the main protagonist of a follow-up to The ‘Burbs sounds like a solid idea,” Hughey explained. However, the timing did not work. She noted that “at this point, Dave would likely be around his mid to late 40s,” which did not fit the story she wanted to tell about a younger couple.
This realization led to a creative shift. The producers, including Seth MacFarlane and Brian Grazer, decided to reimagine the concept as a full series rather than a movie remake. Hughey was brought on board to develop a new story that kept the original’s tone but stood on its own.
The result is a show that shares the same fictional suburb—Hinkley Hills—and was even filmed on the same Universal Studios backlot cul-de-sac. The premise is similar: a regular person becomes obsessed with the strange happenings at a neighbor’s house. But the perspective is different.
Keke Palmer Takes the Lead in a Modern Mystery
In the new series, Keke Palmer plays Samira Fisher, a new mother and lawyer who moves with her husband, Rob (Jack Whitehall), to his childhood home in Hinkley Hills. Samira quickly becomes fixated on a decrepit Victorian house across the street, which is tied to the old disappearance of a local teenager.
Hughey intentionally centered the story on an outsider’s experience. “I wanted to enter this world through the outsider’s perspective,” she said. This allowed the show to explore themes of community and belonging through Samira’s eyes as a Black woman in a predominantly white neighborhood.
Palmer, who had not seen the original movie before being cast, studied Tom Hanks’ performance for inspiration. She aimed to capture his unique blend of sincerity and humor.
“I’m somebody that looked up to Tom Hanks always as an entertainer because he has a great quality of being funny and doing unique character work, but then also feeling entirely sincere,” Palmer said. “And so I think more than anything, that’s what I wanted to make sure that I captured”.
Hidden Tributes and a Special Tom Hanks Cameo
While the storyline is new, the series is filled with what Hughey calls “Easter eggs” for dedicated fans of the movie. These hidden tributes create a bridge between the two productions.
One of the most notable is the last name of the new main characters. Samira and Rob’s surname is Fisher, a direct nod to Carrie Fisher, who played Carol Peterson, Tom Hanks’ wife, in the original film.
The episodes are also titled with famous quotes from the movie, and a dog named Darla references the real name of the dog from the 1989 story. Perhaps the most fun nod is a recreation of the movie’s iconic “sardine scene,” which Palmer performed using real sardines.
The most exciting connection for many fans is a surprise cameo from Tom Hanks himself. He does not appear in person, but his likeness is used in a portrait of H. Horace Hinkley, the fictional founder of Hinkley Hills.
“We were hoping to get him in some way, shape or form,” Hughey shared. “We found this opportunity to have him play the founder of Hinkley Hills… and he was really happy to sign on for that”.
Additionally, Wendy Schaal, who played neighbor Bonnie Rumsfield in the movie, appears in the series as a local librarian.
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Building a New Community of Quirky Neighbors
Just like the film, the heart of the series lies in the eclectic group of neighbors who join the investigation. Samira finds camaraderie with a trio of local residents: a motherly widow named Lynn (Julia Duffy), a gruff ex-Marine named Dana (Paula Pell), and a quiet oddball named Tod (Mark Proksch).
This group forms the core of what one review called an “Only Murders in the Building-adjacent mystery,” where the shared curiosity brings the community together. The show uses the central mystery of the missing girl to explore the secrets and private struggles hidden behind each neighbor’s door, suggesting that understanding comes from giving people a chance.
All eight episodes of The ‘Burbs are available to stream globally on Peacock as of February 8, 2026.
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