NBC is bringing the viral word-guessing phenomenon to primetime television with a new game show fronted by Today anchor Savannah Guthrie. The network officially greenlit the project, which will premiere in 2027 and draw on The New York Times' massively popular Wordle game.
Jimmy Fallon and his production company, Electric Hot Dog, are behind the project alongside Universal Television Alternative Studio. Fallon praised the casting choice in a statement, highlighting what he sees as Guthrie's natural fit for the role. "Savannah has that rare combination of intelligence, charm, and warmth that makes everyone feel instantly welcome," he said, adding that the show will be "a SOLID GAMER for PRIME-time."
The format adapts Wordle's core mechanics into a competitive arena where players solve five-letter word puzzles while racing against the clock. NBC described the show as testing contestants' "smarts, speed, and fun," with teams competing for substantial cash prizes. The network noted that Guthrie is herself an avid Wordle player, making her well-suited to translate the digital game to television.
Fallon revealed during a Today broadcast announcement that he has been collaborating with The New York Times on the project for the past two and a half years. Guthrie confirmed she has been involved for an equally lengthy stretch. "We just found out in February that we got picked up, and we were supposed to shoot in March," she explained, referencing a personal matter that temporarily sidelined production.
Earlier this year, Guthrie stepped away from Today after her 84-year-old mother went missing. During that time, the production team made an unusual gesture. "When everything happened with me and my family, they just stopped everything and said, 'We'll wait for you,'" Guthrie said on air, expressing gratitude for the decision. "Hollywood is a really tough business, as you know, and I just didn't expect that." She returned to her hosting duties on April 6.
Guthrie has been a fixture on Today for nearly 15 years. Production on the Wordle game show is scheduled to begin later this year. NBC is accepting casting applications through wordle.castingcrane.com for anyone interested in competing.
Author Emily Chen: "Guthrie's personal resilience combined with her actual love for the game gives this project something most celebrity-hosted adaptations lack: genuine authenticity."
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