The ensemble cast of the new comedy series The ‘Burbs is bringing a fresh, modern energy to the reimagining of the 1980s classic. In a recent conversation with Temple of Geek, stars Julia Duffy (Lynn Gardner) and Kapil Talwalkar (Naveen Varma) delved into how they developed their characters through a “prism of weirdness.”

The new Peacock original series, The ’Burbs, is an absolute must-watch that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with a surprising amount of heart. While it draws inspiration from the 1989 horror-comedy cult classic starring Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher, this reimagining is a perfect escape from the typical grim murder mystery. Led by an endlessly charming Keke Palmer and a stellar ensemble cast, The ‘Burbs premiere on February 8, 2026, only on Peacock.

The “Normal” Neighbor with a Secret

For Julia Duffy, the appeal of Lynn Gardner lay in her deceptive normalcy. Duffy revealed that showrunner Celeste Hughey shared Lynn’s “deep dark secret” with her before she even read the script. This allowed Duffy to portray Lynn as a lonely widow and empty nester who appears perfectly ordinary on the surface while harboring hidden depths. Duffy noted that her inspiration came from real suburban life, where people often maintain a polite, simple exterior that masks what is truly underneath.

Finding the Voice of Naveen

Kapil Talwalkar’s journey with his character, Naveen Varma, was a collaborative process with the writing team. Over the course of the season, the writers began to mirror Talwalkar’s natural cadence and way of speaking, creating a synergy between the actor and the role. Talwalkar describes Naveen as unapologetic, particularly in his relationship with his childhood best friend, Rob. This bond allows Naveen to behave authentically without needing to present a buttoned-up version of himself.

Both actors developed personal headcanons for their characters that aren’t explicitly written in the script. Duffy decided that the mediocre oil paintings decorating Lynn’s house were actually painted by Lynn herself after taking an art class. To Duffy, this represents a woman who has deep feelings and tries to be creative despite her limitations.

Talwalkar imagines that Naveen, following a divorce, lives with a blowup mattress and a total lack of interior design. However, his technical skills are sharp, and Talwalkar believes Naveen is an expert-level player of every Ratchet & Clank game.

All episodes of The ‘Burbs premiere on February 8, 2026, only on Peacock.