The mystery series Poker Face will not return for a third season on Peacock. In a surprising twist, creator Rian Johnson is moving the show to a new network with a major change: Peter Dinklage will take over the lead role from Natasha Lyonne. The plan is to continue the show with a new actor playing the lie-detecting character every two seasons.
Why Peacock Canceled the Show
Peacock decided not to renew Poker Face for a third season in November 2025. The show had been one of the streamer’s most-watched original series. However, despite its popularity, the second season’s ratings were slightly lower than the first season’s. The show was also a costly production for Peacock, as it was produced by an independent studio and not in-house.
This cancellation occurred as Peacock’s subscriber growth stalled at 41 million and the streamer was working to reduce its financial losses.
A New Lead and a New Home
Instead of ending the series, creator Rian Johnson immediately began shopping it to other networks and streaming services. His vision involves a unique model for the show’s future. The plan is for a new actor to take on the lead role of Charlie Cale every two seasons. The first actor to step into this revolving lead role will be Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage.
Natasha Lyonne is fully supportive of this new direction. She will not appear as the star but will remain with the project as an executive producer. Johnson and Lyonne released a joint statement about the change.
“We’ve been germinating this next move together since writing the season two finale. We love our Poker Face and this is the perfect way to keep it rolling. Give us a beat and we may just see Charlie Cale again down that open highway.”
This approach is similar to how Johnson handles his Knives Out film franchise, which features a new cast with each installment, while keeping Daniel Craig’s detective at the center. For Poker Face, the central character of Charlie Cale will be recast.
Who Is Charlie Cale?
For two seasons, Poker Face followed Charlie Cale, a casino worker with a unique and uncontrollable ability to know when someone is lying. After witnessing a crime, she hits the road in her 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, solving a new murder mystery in each episode.
The show was praised as a modern version of classic detective series like Columbo. It was known for its “case-of-the-week” format and featured a long list of famous guest stars, including Adrien Brody, Cynthia Erivo, and Chloë Sevigny. The series earned several Emmy nominations, with Judith Light winning for her guest role in the first season.
When and Where to Watch New Episodes
As of now, the new version of Poker Face starring Peter Dinklage does not have a new network home. Rian Johnson and the production studio are actively pitching the show for a two-season commitment. An announcement on which platform will pick up the series is expected in the coming weeks. Production timelines will become clearer once a new home is secured.
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