David Boreanaz’s Rockford Files reboot premieres January 2 — right after the NFL

If you grew up on a steady diet of American detective telly, you almost certainly know The Rockford Files. It ran from the mid-70s through 1980 with James Garner as Rockford, the ex-con turned PI with a charmingly knackered mobile home and an even more knackered Firebird. There were even a batch of TV movies in the 90s, which, let’s be honest, are the sort of thing you watch for comfort rather than quality. But ever since, Hollywood’s had an odd obsession with bringing it back — usually with a spectacular lack of success.

The new NBC Rockford Files debuts Saturday, 2 January, straight after NFL, then moves to Thursdays — because obviously, they want those football viewers to stick around.

The Curse of the Failed Reboots

There have been a few proper attempts to get Rockford back on telly. 2009 saw a pilot starring Dermot Mulroney, but it never aired — presumably gathering dust in an NBC cupboard somewhere. Then there was supposed to be a film with Vince Vaughn, also quietly dropped. Now, though, it looks as if NBC is actually pulling the trigger with a brand new series, and they’ve cast David Boreanaz in the leading role.

What’s New — And What Isn’t

Boreanaz, who’s got a bit of a record for these sorts of parts (a PI in Angel, a cop in Bones, and a SEAL in, well, SEAL Team), seems tailor-made for the gig. He’s definitely of the age where he can believably play a bloke who’s taken a few knocks, which is more than you can say for some choices. His version of Jim Rockford still lives out of a mobile home and tools around in a clapped-out Pontiac Firebird, same as the original. There’s even a teaser trailer done up as a deliberately rubbish late-night advert, channelling exactly the energy that made the first series what it was.

The teaser’s worth a look: Boreanaz as Rockford, straight to camera, promising to take on everything from identity theft to embezzlement. All shot in that wonderfully cheap style — proper nostalgia, but not hammy with it.

Boreanaz has also said he’s not remotely intimidated by Garner’s legacy, arguing that if people can swallow a new James Bond, they’ll survive a new Rockford. In his words from an interview about the project:

'How many James Bonds have there been? My attitude is "How can I make James Garner proud?" while still doing my own take on the character.'

Cast, Crew, and a Family Affair

Writer and executive producer duties go to Mike Daniels, while the pilot’s being directed by Greg Mottola (of Superbad fame, so he knows his way around something a bit irreverent). Alongside Boreanaz, the main cast includes Michaela McManus, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Jacki Weaver. There’s even a spot for Boreanaz’s real-life son, Jaden, who’s making his acting debut in the premiere — and, on brand, gets to rough up his dad onscreen. Nothing like a bit of family therapy on primetime NBC.