- NBC’s Peacock is the latest entry in the streaming pageant, debuting today with a massive back catalog of shows and movies, as well as original programming.
- Peacock’s full slate of original series and movies was curbed by the pandemic, and it’s likely we won’t see some of the bigger ones, like previously announced Punky Brewster or Battlestar Galactica revivals, until later this year or 2021.
- However, it appears the service is trying to get certain shows in front of an audience more quickly. Peacock’s president of original content hinted that they want to get late-night series The Amber Ruffin Show on the platform “as soon as we can.”
Peacock joins an increasingly crowded streaming space: This year’s already seen the debut of HBO Max and Quibi. Last fall was dominated by the rollout of AppleTV+ and Disney+. NBC (unlike, say, Quibi) already has brand recognition and shows with devoted fanbases, but its success will likely depend on whether potential subscribers want to shell out $4.99 to $9.99 a month for access to originals and live programming.
However, it’s also offering a free tier, with restricted access to content: about two-thirds of its total catalog, with ads. This could be its draw.
Here’s a rundown of all the originals you can expect on launch day, as well as previously announced programming.
Peacock original shows and movies available July 15
Brave New World
A serial adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 sci-fi novel, Brave New World stars Alden Ehrenreich, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Demi Moore. It centers its story in New London, where society has been divided into strict hierarchies and there is no privacy, but citizens are allowed to ingest and participate in whatever bits of hedonism they like. Of course, not everyone is content. This is Peacock’s big get—the show was previously announced at Syfy and then USA Network—though reviews so far have been mixed.
The Capture
A BBC crime drama, The Capture tells the story of a soldier accused of murder. As he maintains his innocence, a detective (Holliday Grainger) digs deeper and uncovers a conspiracy. Ron Perlman and Famke Janssen also star.
Psych 2: Lassie Come Home
Psych might be one of the only sitcoms that’s also been able to support two feature films. Psych 2: Lassie Come Home follows up 2017’s Psych: The Movie, and finds Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) sniffing around the facility where police chief Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) is recovering after being shot.
Intelligence
David Schwimmer leads this British comedy as Jerry Bernstein, an arrogant NSA officer who lands in the U.K.’s Government Communications Headquarters, tasked with investigating cybercrimes. He’s tempered by Joseph (series creator Nick Mohammed), who’s able to buffer some of Jerry’s aggressiveness and makes the show more of a buddy comedy.
In Deep with Ryan Lochte
Ryan Lochte looks back at his swimming career, as well as the fallout from an incident during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, in which he and three other swimmers were allegedly robbed at gunpoint—a story he later retracted.
Lost Speedways with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The NASCAR star explores the history of abandoned race tracks across America.
Where’s Waldo?
Peacock will also have content for kids, and this series finds the titular scamp embarking on adventures.
Cleopatra in Space
The DreamWorks series follows the adventures of Cleopatra the teenager as she travels 30,000 years into the future.
Curious George
A new season of the long-running animated series debuts on Peacock.
Notable upcoming Peacock originals
- Hitmen (Aug. 6)
- Five Bedrooms (Aug. 13)
- A.P. Bio season 3 (Sept. 3)
- Departure (Sept. 17)
- Punky Brewster (2020)
- Saved by the Bell (2020)
| Peacock Premium | $4.99/month or $49.99/year |
| Premium Ad-Free | $9.99/month or $99.99/year |