Savannah Guthrie is adding another role to her NBC lineup as host of a new primetime game show inspired by The New York Times word game, Wordle. The series is being developed with executive producer Jimmy Fallon, and is expected to debut in 2027.
The show will transform the popular five-letter puzzle game into a large-scale television competition, with teams facing off to solve word challenges for cash prizes. Contestants will compete in groups, racing to crack puzzles in what NBC describes as a fast-paced mix of strategy, teamwork and trivia-style fun.
Guthrie, who is known to be a longtime fan of the game, said she was excited to bring the daily puzzle experience to television audiences. Fallon praised her involvement, saying, “Savannah has that rare combination of intelligence, charm, and warmth that makes everyone feel instantly welcome. And she obviously knows how to host a show.”
The project is being produced through Fallon’s Electric Hot Dog production company alongside Universal Television Alternative Studio and The New York Times, which purchased the viral game in 2022. During the announcement on the “Today” show, Guthrie also revealed that production on the pilot had originally been planned for March but was postponed following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, earlier this year. She thanked Fallon and the production team for delaying filming during the difficult period. Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Arizona home in February and remains missing.
Filming for the series is expected to begin next year, while casting for contestants is already underway.
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