Peacock's new eight-episode TV series, 'The 'Burbs,' offers a modern re-imagining of Joe Dante's 1989 cult film, transforming it into a contemporary whodunnit comedy. Starring Keke Palmer, who also serves as an executive producer, and Jack Whitehall as new parents Samira and Rob Fisher, the series uses their marriage as an anchor for the escalating neighborhood mystery. Filmed on the Universal Studios Hollywood back lot, the show is replete with movie Easter eggs while resolving its initial mystery and setting the stage for a potential second season.

The genesis of the series can be traced back to executive producer Seth MacFarlane, who initially envisioned another movie for the re-imagining. During the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions among Fuzzy Door EPs Erica Huggins and Aimee Carlson led them to consider 'The 'Burbs' as a prime candidate for a back lot production. The pandemic's impact, particularly the heightened awareness of neighbors and community, further shaped the show's themes, shifting the focus from fear of the foreign to finding common ground and uncovering local secrets.

Showrunner Celeste Hughey, who penned the pilot, was instrumental in bringing the series to fruition and immediately saw Keke Palmer as the perfect Samira. Hughey emphasized the importance of telling a 'fish-out-of-water' story through the eyes of a Black woman and new mother. While the series utilizes the same Colonial Street (now Ashfield Place) houses as the original film, it is not a direct sequel, with intentional deviations like reclaiming the Munster mansion as the 'creepy Victorian' and making the Klopek house a normal residence for Rob's best friend, Naveen (Kapil Talwalkar).

Unlike the original film's focus on a 'foreign' family, the Peacock series grounds its paranoia in more relatable, modern anxieties and the secrets within the community. The new creepy neighbor is Gary (Justin Kirk), whose suspicious behavior piques Samira's interest. She is joined in her investigation by a trio of quirky neighbors: Lynn (Julia Duffy), who knows the neighborhood's history; Dana (Paula Pell), a blunt retired Marine; and Tod (Mark Proksch), who is both socially awkward and highly observant. Each character carries their own secrets, which are gradually revealed, adding layers to the central mystery.

At its heart, 'The 'Burbs' explores the love between Samira and Rob Fisher, who are navigating the challenges of new parenthood. Palmer and Whitehall, both parents themselves, found a natural chemistry that translated into their characters' relatable journey of rediscovering each other amidst the chaos. Their established relationship serves as a crucial emotional core, allowing them to confront the dangers and uncover the truths lurking in Hinkley Hills together.

The series culminates in the resolution of the season's primary mystery but simultaneously introduces a larger problem, explicitly setting up new questions for a prospective Season 2. With Naveen's abduction by a member of the HOA, Samira and Rob face the challenge of rescuing him and unraveling the deeper conspiracies within Hinkley Hills, a town deceptively marketed as 'the safest place to live' due to its hidden history of lies and cover-ups. The creators have a clear vision for multiple future seasons, including the potential introduction of new characters and expanding on existing ones, like Dana's wife.