Jonathan Sim
A quiet cul-de-sac becomes the setting for suspicion, community, and creeping dread in The ‘Burbs, a modern series inspired by the cult classic film. The show, starring Keke Palmer, follows a group of neighbors drawn into a mystery that tests their trust in one another while exploring the strange dynamics that emerge when outsiders and longtime residents collide. Balancing comedy, emotional drama, and unsettling thrills, the series leans into the anxieties and bonds that come with living side by side, where every relationship carries both comfort and uncertainty.
Creator Celeste Hughey spoke about discovering the original film and how its themes translated into a contemporary story. “The movie came out when I was quite little, so I didn’t see it until my early tweens,” said Hughey. It was definitely the movie I watched in a friend’s basement and was absolutely terrified by; I didn’t quite yet understand the genius of the commentary. But revisiting it as an adult, I thought, ‘Oh, this is so funny, smart, and sharp.’ When I was approached to develop it, it immediately made sense as a story that carried over into modern times. Having neighbors is a universal thing—the suspicion of neighbors and finding community in unlikely people were themes that translate very well to now.”
Updating the story meant building something new while preserving the spirit of what came before. “It was important for me to create a whole new story with all-new characters, but still have the essence and DNA infused from the original movie,” Hughey said. “If you’re a fan of the movie, you’ll see Easter eggs, winks, and references throughout. But instead of neighbors ganging up against an outsider, it’s the outsider coming into a community and finding her place within it. It’s also about creating a mystery that builds off the lore of the neighborhood—one that is still present and dangerous. It’s about a community trying to keep itself safe and banding together in a found family, which I think everyone can relate to.”
The cast dynamic became central to shaping the tone. “We have Keke Palmer, who is just the absolute best. She anchored this show with such grace and generosity. She is undeniably charismatic and really embodied Samira as a character with depth and complexity. Then we have all these comedian all-stars surrounding her. It was exciting for them to tackle roles that are quirky but have real emotional depth. I think audiences will be surprised to see people they think they know one way carry such range. We had so much fun making the show; the cast became buds and would crack each other up, and I think that fun is really felt in the show.”
Jack Whitehall reflected on the emotional layers that drew him to his role as Rob, the husband of Palmer’s character. “I think it was revisiting some difficult times in my recent history. I am a new parent and have experienced the pressures that puts on a couple—trying to stay connected and being there for your partner as she comes to terms with her new identity as a mother. Those felt like very relatable themes. I really wanted to get those scenes right to ensure they had an emotional truth.”
As the story progresses, its tonal shifts become more pronounced. “After the pilot episode, which is tonally the lightest, it takes some quite dark turns. It was fun to lean into the horror aspects and the arc for my character where, for a couple of episodes, you think he might have done something really bad. I enjoyed flirting with the idea that I might be a villainous character. You were never quite sure about any of the characters, no matter how they were presented.”
For Paula Pell, stepping into the role meant embracing a new identity. “The first thing that came to mind is that in the last few things I’ve been in, I’ve had a lot of hair and makeup. For this, I cut my hair short and went blonde. I was a ‘not much makeup, military lesbian protector,’ and I felt like it was a new little glove to fit into. I enjoyed the aesthetic of Dana and the way she navigates the neighborhood.”
Julia Duffy welcomed the opportunity to break from expectations. “I was very happy to be playing somebody who wasn’t rich and snobby. People continue to typecast me, even though I’ve done many other things. I was playing someone very ordinary. I had just done Palm Royale where I played someone extremely disturbed living in a tunnel. The challenge was: how do I make a ‘normal’ person on a cul-de-sac interesting without the bells and whistles of a certain kind of character?”
Kapil Talwalkar found the show’s tonal balance daunting at first. “I thought of what I was uneasy about, which was the tone of the show. I remember reading it and thinking it would be really hard to do because it balances comedy, drama, creepy thriller, and whimsy. I was nervous, but when I saw the final product, it was unbelievable. They took our raw footage and used music, editing, and camera shots to even out a perfect tone. Credit goes to the post team and Celeste.”
All episodes of The Burbs premiere on February 8, 2026, on Peacock.
(Videos interviews coming soon.)
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