David Boreanaz to Lead "The Rockford Files" Reboot

David Boreanaz has closed a deal to lead NBC‘s reboot of "The Rockford Files".

The Angel, Bones and SEAL Team alum will succeed James Garner as James Rockford, the witty, world-weary, and chronically broke private investigator Garner originated on the 1974 NBC series.

Rockford, the highest-profile role of this year’s broadcast pilot season, was a sought-after role. While broadcast pilots typically go through up to a half-dozen offers for the leads until someone engages, there were only two offers for "The Rockford Files". 

Both got interest and led to negotiations, but the first did not pan out due to logistical issues, tied to the series’ filming location. The actor would only commit if the series was guaranteed to shoot in Los Angeles.

While "The Rockford Files" is set in Los Angeles, the pilot will shoot in Atlanta, with additional filming in Los Angeles.

It has not been determined where production on the pilot would be based should the pilot get picked up; it’s possible that the show applies for a California tax credit.

Getting Boreanaz could be a good omen given his broadcast track record, with all pilots he has starred in going to series that have long successful runs.

The WB’s supernatural drama "Angel", which only did a short presentation since it was a spinoff from "Buffy the Vampire" Slayer; CBS/Paramount+’s military drama "SEAL Team" each produced more than 100 episodes; and Fox’s crime procedural "Bones" did more than 200.

"The Rockford Files," a contemporary update on the classic series of the same name, hails from writer Mike Daniels, producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly, and Universal Television.

In the series, newly paroled after doing 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 around Los Angeles, with his charmingly gruff exterior masking a strong moral core.

It doesn’t take long for his quest for legitimacy to land him squarely in the crosshairs of both local police and organized crime.

Daniels executive produces alongside Timberman and Beverly via their Timberman/Beverly banner, with the company’s Chris Leanza co-executive producing. Boreanaz is a producer.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

This marks a reunion with Boreanaz for Timberman and Beverly, who executive produced "SEAL Team".