Peacock's Smash Hit 'The Five Star Weekend' Officially Renewed for Season 2!

Peacock has officially renewed its hit drama series, “The Five Star Weekend,” for a second season, signaling a significant success for the streaming platform. Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novel of the same name, the series stars Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a renowned cook and author.

“The Five Star Weekend” rapidly became Peacock’s most-watched scripted series of all time in terms of overall reach. Premiering on July 9, it amassed an impressive 2.1 billion minutes watched in less than a month and consistently ranked among Nielsen’s top five streaming original series in its first two weeks. This performance surpassed previous Peacock hits like Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” and “The 'Burbs,” cementing its status as a new flagship for NBCUniversal’s streaming service. Its popularity also propelled Hilderbrand’s novel back onto the New York Times bestseller list, ranking among the Top 10.

The series introduces viewers to Hollis Shaw, a woman grappling with intense grief following the tragic death of her husband in a car accident. This loss exposes underlying cracks in her seemingly perfect life, including a strained marriage, a complicated relationship with her daughter, and a growing dependence on validation from her fans. In an effort to find herself and overcome her grief, Hollis conceives the idea of hosting a “Five-Star Weekend” at her Nantucket home. She invites three friends from distinct periods of her life—childhood, college, and motherhood—along with one surprise guest, setting the stage for a cozy, emotional, and luxurious coastal getaway where boundaries are pushed, long-buried secrets are revealed, and the five “stars” undergo significant personal growth.

Alongside Jennifer Garner, the talented ensemble cast features D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Harlow Jane, and Timothy Olyphant, with supporting roles including Judy Greer and Rob Huebel. Creator Bekah Brunstetter, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Sue Naegle, Ali Krug, Minkie Spiro, Jennifer Garner, Merri Howard, Beth Schacter, and Elin Hilderbrand, has expressed a keen interest in expanding the story beyond the confines of the original novel, despite the series initially being billed as a limited run. Brunstetter envisions future seasons exploring new dynamics, potentially introducing a new “fifth Star” each season, focusing on different characters, and exploring diverse, luxurious locations, akin to a “White Lotus” vibe, with ideas for both warm and cold settings.

Industry executives and the cast have lauded the series’ success and the emotional connection it forged with audiences. Lisa Katz, president of scripted content at NBC and Peacock, stated, “Audiences have completely embraced this wholly relatable story of friendship, and what it means to reconnect with the people in your life who truly make a difference.” Brunstetter added her excitement, saying, “It’s such a joy and privilege to create a world that people want to keep living in. I’m so thrilled by the chance to give fans of the show more time with the stars, and dig even further into these incredible characters.” Jennifer Garner echoed this sentiment, expressing mutual curiosity among the cast for the upcoming adventures in Season 2. Minkie Spiro directed the pilot, and Universal Global Television is the studio behind the production.