‘Wordle’ heads to television with Savannah Guthrie leading NBC’s new quiz show experiment

Production on NBC’s ‘Wordle’ adaptation is expected to begin later this year ahead of a 2027 premiere

NBC is officially bringing Wordle to television, with Today anchor Savannah Guthrie set to host a primetime adaptation of the wildly popular word puzzle game. The network confirmed the series order on May 11, 2026, announcing that the show is expected to premiere in 2027 as part of NBC’s growing slate of game and entertainment programming.

The adaptation will transform the daily five letter guessing game into a large scale competition series where contestants battle in teams for cash prizes. According to NBC, the format is designed to capture the same social experience that turned Wordle into a global obsession after its explosive rise in popularity during the early 2020s.

Guthrie announced the project during a broadcast of Today alongside executive producer Jimmy Fallon, who continues to expand his footprint in unscripted television through his Electric Hot Dog production company. Fallon already produces NBC competition formats including Password, hosted by Keke Palmer, while also fronting The Tonight Show and That’s My Jam.

NBC described Guthrie as a long time Wordle enthusiast, making her a natural fit for the programme. The network said the series will feature players solving giant versions of the famous puzzles while competing in what executives called the “Wordle arena”. Contestants will reportedly work in squads and race against rival teams through multiple rounds inspired by the structure of the online game.

The original Wordle puzzle was created in 2021 by software engineer Josh Wardle before being acquired by The New York Times in 2022. Since then, the game has become a daily ritual for millions of users around the world, with players routinely sharing scores and strategies across social media platforms.

Jonathan Knight, head of games at The New York Times, said the television version was built around the communal side of the puzzle phenomenon. He explained that people rarely play Wordle silently or alone anymore, instead comparing answers and discussing tactics with friends and family.

Fallon praised Guthrie in a statement announcing the series, calling her “the perfect blend of intelligence, charm and warmth.” He also joked that the programme would become a “solid gamer for PRIME time,” referencing the puzzle’s signature five letter structure.

The announcement arrives during a particularly high profile year for Guthrie. Earlier in 2026, the journalist temporarily stepped away from Today amid the ongoing disappearance investigation involving her mother, Nancy Guthrie. She later returned to the programme on April 6 while the FBI investigation continued receiving national attention.

Production on Wordle is expected to begin later in 2026 following an open casting call for contestants. Universal Television Alternative Studio is producing the series alongside Electric Hot Dog and The New York Times.

The project also reflects television’s continuing interest in turning digital culture into mainstream entertainment formats. Following the success of game inspired shows and nostalgia driven quiz competitions, NBC appears to be betting that the simple but addictive appeal of Wordle can translate into another major primetime hit.