Peacock is not moving forward with comic book adaptation Dead Day

Peacock is not moving forward with Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson's adaptation of the comic book Dead Day, despite a direct-to-series order. The streaming service ordered the series from Universal Television earlier this year, but it's now being shopped elsewhere after it was dropped from Peacock, sources say.

A film adaptation of Ryan Parrott's comic book of the same name, Dead Day follows a group of characters during the annual 'dead day', when the dead return for one night to take care of unfinished business - whether that means returning to Earth for a night. Celebrate or torment the living.

Peacock is adjusting its development strategy for the next phase of its evolution, with a stronger emphasis on drama, led by event series, a focus on binge-able comedies as well as more true crime limited docuseries and celebrity-driven shows on the unscripted side. A source close to the production revealed that the shift in strategy is the reason for the series' cancellation.



And while the Plec (pictured) developed series Vampire Academy was also canceled earlier this month, Peacock is still doing business with Plec. She is currently developing the drama series Freeman and has already opened a mini writer's room; as well as an adaptation of the young adult novel Running Out of Time titled Clifton, among several other projects under her overall deal with Universal Television.

We hear that Peacock also has projects lined up with Williamson, following their collaboration on the 2022 slasher film Sick.

News of Dead Day's cancellation was first reported by Variety.