The new Peacock mystery series The ‘Burbs dropped its first season of eight episodes on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Starring Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall, the show is a fresh take on the 1989 cult classic film. Now that the full season is available for binge-watching, the biggest question for fans is whether the story of Ashfield Place will continue. As of today, Peacock has not made any official announcement about renewing or canceling The ‘Burbs for a second season.
This is a common situation for streaming shows, especially one that just premiered. Networks and streamers typically take time to review the performance data before deciding on a show’s future. For a new series like this, key factors include how many people started watching it, how many completed the season, and whether it managed to attract significant attention online and in the press. The first few weeks of viewing figures are especially important. With the season launching the same day as the Super Bowl, which was broadcast by NBC (Peacock’s parent company), the show had a major platform for promotion. Its success in capitalizing on that opportunity will be a significant part of Peacock’s review.
What Is Peacock’s The ‘Burbs About?
The series brings the premise of the 1989 Tom Hanks film into a modern setting. It follows a young couple, Samira (Keke Palmer) and Rob (Jack Whitehall), who move from the city to Rob’s childhood home in the seemingly perfect suburb of Ashfield Place. Samira’s unease with her new, very white neighborhood is immediate. Her suspicions focus on the creepy, long-vacant Victorian house across the street and its mysterious new owner, Gary (Justin Kirk). The central mystery involves the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager named Alison Grant over two decades ago, with rumors suggesting she was buried in that very house’s basement.
Samira teams up with a group of quirky neighbors to investigate. This includes retired Marine Dana (Paula Pell), the odd but wealthy Tod (Mark Proksch), and the neighborhood’s self-appointed welcoming committee leader, Lynn (Julia Duffy). The show blends elements of comedy, mystery, and a light horror vibe, with many calling it a cousin to shows like Only Murders in the Building.
The Season One Finale Sets Up Major Questions For Season 2
The first season finale did not neatly wrap up all its storylines. Instead, it ended with new mysteries that seem designed to continue into a potential second season.
While the case of the missing Alison Grant is resolved, the finale suggests a much larger conspiracy at play in Ashfield Place. It is revealed that the neighborhood’s obsessive focus on maintaining a perfect, safe image may have dark consequences. In a major cliffhanger, Rob’s best friend Naveen (Kapil Talwalkar) mysteriously vanishes. This event appears to be orchestrated, pointing to a powerful, organized force operating within the suburb, possibly connected to the local residents’ association.
Samira begins to theorize that the association, led by the formidable Agnes (Danielle Kennedy), has been quietly “removing” problematic residents for years to preserve the town’s pristine reputation. This shift moves the potential story for a new season from a simple “whodunit” about a missing person to a broader thriller about systemic control and corruption hiding behind a facade of suburban perfection. The fates of several characters, including Alison and Gary, are left with enough ambiguity that their stories could easily continue.
How The Show Honors The Original 1989 Film
For fans of the original movie, the Peacock series is packed with nods and Easter eggs. It is not a direct remake but a “reimagining” that uses the film’s core premise to tell a new story. The series was even filmed on the same backlot street at Universal Studios Hollywood, Colonial Street, as the original film.
Several cast members from the 1989 movie make special appearances. Wendy Schaal, who played Bonnie Rumsfield, returns as a librarian named Judy. In the final episode, Corey Feldman, who played teenager Ricky Butler, has a cameo where he delivers a clever callback to his famous line from the film. The show also recreates iconic scenes, like the awkward “sardines” moment when the neighbors try to spy on the new resident.
Showrunner Celeste Hughey explained the approach, saying:
“The movie is great and really holds up. And what weโve done is taken a really strong premise and created a completely different story, and new characters in a new world, and I think thereโs lots of nods to the original”.
Keke Palmer, who also served as an executive producer, added that the team was excited to include these tributes, noting she even ate real sardines while filming the updated version of the classic scene.
What Are Critics Saying About The Show?
Critical reception to The ‘Burbs has been mixed, which could be a factor in its renewal chances. Some reviewers found it to be a pleasant, easy watch. One reviewer on IMDb compared its vibes to Desperate Housewives and called it a “peachy and corny murder mystery” that works as light entertainment. Another praised Keke Palmer’s performance, stating she is “terrific” and can carry the main role.
However, other reviews were less favorable. A common criticism is that the eight-episode season feels stretched out from what was originally a 101-minute movie. Some critics found the humor lacking and the pacing slow. The Guardian noted that while the show starts strong, the finale “clumsily forces a cliffhanger” and doesn’t generate strong curiosity for a second season. IndieWire criticized the show for not fully developing its more interesting ideas about race and community, calling it “blunt and bland”.
The performance of Keke Palmer has been a consistent highlight mentioned across reviews, with many noting her charisma and comedic timing as strengths that elevate the material.
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When Could A Decision On Season 2 Be Made?
There is no set timeline for a renewal decision. Streaming services like Peacock often wait several weeks to a few months to assess a show’s complete performance data. They look at not just how many people clicked play on the first day, but how many stayed through all eight episodes, and whether the show is growing its audience through word-of-mouth.
Since the show is very new, having just been released, Peacock has ample time to make a decision. The coming weeks will be crucial. Fan activity on social media, the completion rate of the series by viewers, and its ability to stay in the cultural conversation will all play important roles. For now, the show’s future is firmly in the “wait and see” category.
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