NBC Orders Pilot for The Rockford Files Reboot

NBC has greenlit a pilot for a modern reboot of the classic detective drama "The Rockford Files," reviving the story of a wrongfully imprisoned private investigator navigating cases in Los Angeles. The project, announced this week, updates the 1970s series that originally aired on the network from 1974 to 1980.

The new iteration is penned by writer Mike Daniels, known for his work on "Sons of Anarchy," "The Village," and "Shades of Blue." Executive producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly, who previously collaborated on "Elementary," are overseeing the production through Universal Television, the studio behind the original show. Chris Leanza serves as co-executive producer. According to the official synopsis, the story follows James Rockford, newly paroled after serving time for a crime he did not commit. He resumes his role as a private investigator, relying on his charm and wit to tackle cases across Los Angeles. His efforts to rebuild his life soon draw unwanted attention from local police and organized crime figures.

The original "The Rockford Files" was created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, with Huggins having worked with lead actor James Garner on the earlier...