Before taking on Jim Rockford in NBC’s revival of The Rockford Files, David Boreanaz asked James Garner’s daughter Gigi for her blessing. He told her, “What your father did is iconic… I’m not imitating him.”
Gigi gave him her support and attended a private screening of the pilot. Her verdict was “FABULOUS,” and she said her dad would be “tickled.” She also gave Boreanaz a set of Garner’s worry beads.
Boreanaz, who’s also a producer, describes his Rockford as blue-collar, charming and quick enough with his wit to talk his way out of trouble. He’s said he wants to make Garner proud.
The series brings Rockford into the present day. He’s getting out of prison after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit and returning to private-investigator work in Los Angeles. His efforts to rebuild a legitimate life put him in conflict with police and organized crime.
Michaela McManus, who worked with Boreanaz on SEAL Team, plays Kate, an East Hollywood detective with whom Rockford has a romantic history. Their relationship became complicated after he publicly accused other officers of framing him. Jacki Weaver plays Karma, his longtime trailer-park neighbor, an outspoken activist and think-tank analyst.
Boreanaz’s son Jaden makes his acting debut in the pilot as 1 of the people who rough Rockford up. Greg Mottola directed the pilot, and Mike Daniels is the writer and an executive producer.
Garner played Rockford across 6 seasons on NBC from 1974 to 1980, then returned for TV movies in the 1990s. The revival also brings back a piece of the show’s answering-machine tradition: NBC’s (760) JIM-ROCK hotline plays Boreanaz saying, “Hi, this is Jim Rockford. I’m back and ready to roll,” and lets callers sign up for text updates.
Following NBC’s NFL telecast on January 2, 2027, a special preview of the 13-episode first season airs at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Its regular Thursday slot begins January 7 at 8 p.m. ET, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.