Variety has learned that a live-action “Dungeon Crawler Carl” TV series is currently officially in development at Peacock.
The project, based on the LitRPG book series of the same name by Matt Dinniman, was originally acquired by Universal International Studios in early 2025, with no network or streamer attached at the time.
As previously reported, Chris Yost will write and executive produce the series, with Seth MacFarlane set to executive produce under his Fuzzy Door banner. “Dinniman” is also an EP, as is Erica Huggins from Fuzzy Door. Rachel Hargreaves-Held will serve as executive producer of Fuzzy Doors.
The show’s official logline reads:
“An alien invasion wipes out most of humanity, and the survivors are forced to fight for their lives in a sadistic intergalactic game show. Sounds bad, right? Now go barefoot and partner up with a stranded, self-centered, tiara-wearing talking cat. Dungeon Crawler World: Welcome to Earth, where the apocalypse is broadcast on TV…and Coast Guard veteran Carl finds himself trapped in memories of his ex-girlfriend.” The story follows award-winning show cats Princess Donut and Queen Anne Chonke as they battle monsters, aliens, crazy AI, and even other survivors to survive the end of the world. It’s all about good television. Survival is not an option. ”
News of the show being established on Peacock comes not long after Dinniman told Variety in an interview that the project is “getting closer to the point where we need to make a decision about whether or not we’re going to move forward, we need to sign a deal.”
There have been seven books in the “Dungeon Crawler Karl” series so far, and the eighth book is scheduled to be released on May 12th. Dinniman previously said he planned to publish 10 books in the series overall.
Dinniman also addressed fans who were concerned about the possibility of a live-action series rather than an animated series, given the fantasy nature of the book. But Dinniman expressed confidence in MacFarlane’s ability to bring the book to life.
“If it’s going to be absolute crap, (we) won’t do it,” he said. “And they’ll do CGI tests with Princess Donuts and stuff. I guess that’s all I can say. I think it all depends on what it turns out to be. But if you look at Fuzzy Door, specifically, ‘Ted’ or ‘The Orville,’ you know they know what they’re doing with this.”
Yost is repped by Verve and Industry Entertainment. Dinniman is repped by Matthew Sugarman of WME, The Gernet Company and Weintraub Tobin. Mr. MacFarlane and Mr. Huggins are repped by WME, Joy Fahely Management & Consulting and Jackoway Austin Tyerman.
