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Jim Rockford is back on the case at NBC — and he won’t be the network’s only private investigator in 2026-2027.
Ahead of its Monday preview, the network has picked up new series for next season — two dramas and two comedies. Dramas are a Rockford Files The reboot stars David Boreanaz as the main character and Line of fire (previously protection), which follows a family of federal law enforcement officials caught up in a conspiracy. Comedy is My sunsetStarring Jake Johnson and Newly married couplesWith Tea Leoni and Tim Daly (who are also married in real life).
All four shows come from Universal Television and were part of a larger-than-usual (in recent years, at least) slate of eight pilots ordered by NBC this year. The network has picked up the four remaining dramas for pilots The main witness Starring Emily Deschanel, Confused Starring Damon Wayans Jr. and What the dead know Starring Taylor Schilling, and an untitled comedy starring Jane Lynch and Katey Sagal.
“Our creative teams, led by Lisa Katz at NBC and Erin Underhill at Universal Television, have delivered an exceptional pilot slate, developing eight standout projects that reflect our ambition,” said Berlina Igbokwe, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, Peacock Scripted and Television Studios at NBCUniversal. “While we often hear the phrase an embarrassment of riches, it really applies in this case. This process has allowed us to make big swings, and we’ve arrived at shows that we believe can be a huge success.”
All NBC pilots were filmed in the United States. The three comedies were based on Universal’s Los Angeles set, and the dramas were split between New York and Atlanta. NBC reports that the pilots led to the creation of about 4,000 jobs among the cast, crew, and production teams.
Here’s a recap of NBC’s new series (and track all their pickups, renewals, and cancellations with “Hollywood Reporter”Network Scorecard).
“The Rockford Files”
Record: A contemporary update of the classic series of the same name. Newly released after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, James Rockford (Boreanaz) returns to his life as a private investigator using his charm and wit to solve cases throughout Los Angeles. It doesn’t take long for his quest for legitimacy to put him squarely in the crosshairs of local police and organized crime.
ejaculate: Boreanaz, Michaela McManus, Felix Solis, Jackie Weaver.
a team: Writer/EP Mike Daniels, EPs Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman, co-EP Chris Lenza, director/EP Greg Mottola (pilot only).
“line of fire”
Record: A family of law enforcement agents bridge personal differences and cross professional boundaries as they handle cases for the FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice. After a seemingly conclusive case turns into a deadly conspiracy, they must use a lifetime of experience protecting civilians and politicians to protect each other and bring the killer to justice… even if it means betraying their sworn law.
ejaculate: Peter Krause, Hope Davis, Cat Canning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom, Charlie Barnett.
a team: W/EP Josh Safran, EPs Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector, D/EP Rebecca Thomas (pilot only).
“Newlyweds”
Record: A later-life love story about a free-spirited woman and a college professor who impulsively marry after a whirlwind courtship.
ejaculate: T. Leoni, Tim Daly; Jamie Lee Curtis will recur.
a team: W/EP Gail Lerner, EPs Eric and Kim Tannenbaum (The Tannenbaum Company), Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Schwartz and Lionsgate Television, D/EP Pam Fryman (pilot only).
“My sunset”
Record: It continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.
ejaculate: Jake Johnson, Jane Levy, Langston Kerman, Mary Shelby, Keith David.
a team: W/EPs Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, D/EP Akiva Schaffer (pilot only)
