Published Feb 12, 2026, 3:19 PM EST
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David Boreanaz is back on the case, as he's poised to continue an impressive run on network television.
Ever since a reboot of The Rockford Files was announced by NBC in January, it quickly became one of the most-discussed pilots on network television. The original ran from 1974 to 1980, also on NBC, for a total of 6 seasons and 123 episodes. Led by Hollywood legend James Garner, the seminal series has proved tricky to resurrect in the past.
Deadline reports that the actor has been tapped to star in NBC's upcoming reboot of The Rockford Files. Boreanaz, who has a storied television career, starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones, and SEAL Team, will lead the contemporary update on the classic detective drama of the same name. The pilot hails from writer Mike Daniels, producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly, and Universal Television.
In the new version, James Rockford (played by Boreanaz) is newly paroled after doing time for a crime he didn’t commit. Returning to his life as a private investigator, Rockford uses his charm and wit to solve cases around Los Angeles. But that tough exterior conceals a strong moral core, and it's not long before Rockford catches the attention of both local police and organized crime.
The new Rockford Files follows along the lines of the original, and it's planned to film in Atlanta with additional filming taking place in Los Angeles. Although the project is still in its pilot stage, which means that it may not get picked up to series, the casting of Boreanaz is a sign of confidence. He has a long history on the small screen, beginning with the broody vampire Angel and continuing largely uninterrupted until SEAL Team. The military drama only ended in October 2024.
|
TV Show |
Boreanaz's Character |
|
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) |
Angel/Angelus |
|
Angel (1999-2004) |
Angel/Angelus, Marcus Roscoe |
|
Bones (2005-2017) |
Seeley Booth |
|
Full Circle (2013) |
Jace Cooper (3 episodes) |
|
SEAL Team (2017-2024) |
Jason Hayes |
Characters, whether they are gifted individuals or law enforcement, always find themselves solving cases on television. Setting aside the clear police procedurals such as Law & Order and FBI, there are quirky mysteries such as Elsbeth on CBS and ABC's High Potential. Boreanaz will fit nicely with the current landscape on broadcast television, and he carries with him an existing fanbase that are likely to follow him to NBC's high-profile reboot.
The reporting notes that Boreanaz was one of only two actors approached for the new The Rockford Files, which affirms his built-in familiarity. It'll be fun to see if any of his famous former co-stars join him for his latest drama outing.
Release Date 1974 - 1980-00-00
Directors William Wiard, Lawrence Doheny, Ivan Dixon, Jerry London, Reza Badiyi, Russ Mayberry, Jackie Cooper, Lou Antonio, Corey Allen, Jeannot Szwarc, Stephen J. Cannell, Alexander Grasshoff, Arnold Laven, Harry Falk, John Patterson, Stuart Margolin, Alexander Singer, Bernard L. Kowalski, Bernard McEveety, Bruce Kessler, Charles S. Dubin, Christian I. Nyby II, Dana Elcar, Hy Averback
Writers Gordon T. Dawson, Rudolph Borchert, Don Carlos Dunaway, Edward J. Lakso, David Taylor, Donald L. Gold, Rogers Turrentine, Walter Dallenbach, Lester Wm. Berke, William R. Stratton, Jo Swerling Jr., Leigh Brackett, Mitch Lindemann, Robert Hamner, Zekial Marko, Howard Berk, Shel Willens, Eric Kaldor, Gloryette Clark
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James Garner
Jim Rockford
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Noah Beery Jr.
Joseph "Rocky" Rockford
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English (US) ·