1974 TV Series Called ‘Greatest of All Time' Set for a Modern Revival
The case for NBC's 2026-2027 lineup is closed, thanks to America's favorite private investigator. That's right, The Rockford Files is coming back to television!
The series aired from 1974 to 1980, spanning six seasons. It starred James Garner as the titular character and was created by RoyHuggins and Stephen J. Cannell. In total, the show earned five Emmys and 18 nominations.
It was a huge success and is remembered fondly in television history. The Rockford Files continues to appear on numerous "Best TV Series" lists, including those from Rolling Stoneand TV Guide.
The program followed JimRockford after he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He solved crimes as a private detective while living in a dingy mobile home parked in Malibu. The series was known for its regular action scenes that typically involved Rockford taking a few punches.
The Rockford Files reboot was one of eight pilots ordered by NBC. Only four were picked up for next season.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, all four of the green-lit shows were produced by NBC's in-house studio Universal Television
"Our creative teams, led by LisaKatz at NBC and Erin Underhill at Universal Television, delivered an exceptional pilot slate, developing eight standout projects that reflect our ambition," said PearlenaIgbokwe, chairman of NBC Entertainment, Peacock Scripted and Television Studios. "While we often hear the phrase embarrassment of riches, it truly applies in this case. This process allowed us to take big swings, and we landed on shows that we think can truly break through."
Luckily for fans of the original, The Rockford Files reboot made the cut for the studio's next season. It will star David Boreanaz, MichaelaMcManus, FelixSolis, and JackiWeaver.
The reimagining will stay close to the original story. The official logline reads, "A contemporary update on the classic series of the same name. 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. It doesn't take long for his quest for legitimacy to land him squarely in the crosshairs of both local police and organized crime."
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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 3:45 PM.