David Boreanaz to Star in NBC’s ‘The Rockford Files’ Reboot Pilot

David Boreanaz will star as James Rockford in NBC’s upcoming pilot for a reboot of “The Rockford Files.” The pilot was initially picked up by the network in January and centres on a “witty, world-weary and chronically broke private investigator whose charmingly gruff exterior masked a strong moral core.”

A Familiar Role, A New Era

Boreanaz takes on the role previously held by the late James Garner, who portrayed Jim Rockford in the original NBC series that ran from 1974 to 1980, as well as in six subsequent made-for-TV movies on CBS. The new series will follow James Rockford, newly paroled after serving time for a crime he did not commit, as he re-establishes himself as a private investigator in Los Angeles.

Did You Know? The original “Rockford Files” series ran for six seasons on NBC, from 1974 to 1980.

According to the pilot’s official logline, Rockford’s “quest for legitimacy” will quickly place him in conflict with both law enforcement and organized crime. Boreanaz is well-known for his roles in “Angel,” a spin-off of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” which ran for five seasons, and the long-running Fox procedural “Bones,” which spanned twelve seasons. He also recently starred in the CBS/Paramount+ military drama “SEAL Team,” which concluded after seven seasons.

Past Attempts and Production Details

This is not the first attempt to revive “The Rockford Files.” A pilot starring Dermot Mulroney was produced for NBC in 2009, but did not move forward. Universal Pictures also explored a feature film adaptation with Vince Vaughn, but that project was also abandoned. The current pilot is written by Mike Daniels, with Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman serving as executive producers, and Chris Leanza as a co-executive producer. Universal Television is the studio behind the project.

Expert Insight: The repeated attempts to reboot a beloved series like “The Rockford Files” demonstrate the enduring appeal of the original concept and characters, as well as the challenges of successfully updating a classic for a modern audience.

Boreanaz is represented by CAA, Visionary Entertainment, and Felker Toczek Suddleson.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premise of the new “Rockford Files” pilot?

The pilot centres on James Rockford, newly paroled after doing time for a crime he didn’t commit, as he returns to working as a private investigator in Los Angeles and finds himself caught between the police and organized crime.

Who starred in the original “Rockford Files”?

James Garner starred as Jim Rockford in the original NBC series, which ran from 1974 to 1980, and also appeared in six made-for-TV movies on CBS.

What other television shows is David Boreanaz known for?

David Boreanaz is best known for his roles in “Angel,” “Bones,” and “SEAL Team.” He has also directed episodes of these shows and served as a producer on “Bones” and an executive producer on “SEAL Team.”

Will this reboot capture the spirit of the original series, and what challenges might the production team face in bringing a classic character to a contemporary setting?