Poker Face Canceled at Peacock: Rian Johnson Shops Revival with Peter Dinklage as New Lead
Peacock has canceled the acclaimed mystery series Poker Face after two seasons, but creator Rian Johnson is actively shopping a revival package featuring a bold recast: Emmy winner Peter Dinklage stepping into the role of lie-detecting sleuth Charlie Cale, previously played by Natasha Lyonne.
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Promotional posters for Seasons 1 and 2 of Poker Face, highlighting Natasha Lyonne’s central role.
The Columbo-inspired procedural, produced by Johnson’s T-Street and MRC Television, wrapped its second season in July 2025. Despite strong reviews and remaining one of Peacock’s top-watched originals, viewership dipped from the breakout first season, and high production costs—due to its episodic format requiring new locations and guest stars each week—contributed to the decision.
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Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in key scenes from the series.
Lyonne, who starred as the nomadic Charlie with an innate ability to detect lies, will remain an executive producer but steps away from the lead to focus on directing films. In a recent Hollywood Reporter interview, she expressed gratitude: “Baby’s gotta direct some movies… I’m very grateful that Rian and I directed a finale… We literally threw the car off a cliff!”—referring to the Season 2 cliffhanger gag.
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Rian Johnson (left) with Natasha Lyonne and Peter Dinklage (right), signaling the potential new era.
Johnson and Lyonne joint statement: “We’ve been germinating this next move together since writing the season two finale. We love our Poker Face and this is the perfect way to keep it rolling.” The plan envisions rotating lead actors every two seasons, with Dinklage—known for Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones—signed for the first revival arc.
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Peter Dinklage in recent portraits, poised for a potential franchise shift.
HBO has expressed interest, with CEO Casey Bloys confirming “conversations” but no deal yet. The series earned multiple Emmy nods, including for Lyonne and guest stars.
Fans remain divided on the recast, but hope persists for Charlie Cale’s return on the open highway.
