David Boreanaz’s ’70s Crime Classic Reboot ‘Rockford Files’ Officially Confirms Release Date

The Rockford Files ran on NBC for six seasons, from 1974 to 1980. James Garner played the title role of Jim Rockford, a world-weary, laid-back private detective who’s just gotten out of prison after being incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit. The show returned as a series of eight TV movies in the 1990s, proving its enduring appeal.

After that, Hollywood hasn’t been able to revive the show, despite multiple attempts. A 2009 pilot starring Dermot Mulroney was filmed but never aired, and a movie starring Vince Vaughn fell through. But now, NBC is officially reviving the series, with seasoned TV star David Boreanaz in the title role.

NBC revealed that the series premiere of The Rockford Files will air on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET, immediately after the network’s NFL telecast. The show will move to its normal time slot five days later on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027, at 8 p.m. ET. Future episodes will air in that Thursday time slot. It looks like NBC is only airing the premiere on Saturday to capitalize on NFL viewership.

NBC also released a short teaser showing off what Boreanaz will do with this iconic role. The teaser takes the form of a cheap commercial that might air late at night. Jim Rockford lets us know that, “whether it’s identity theft, infidelity, embezzlement, [or] extortion, if you got questions, I’ll find you answers.” The ad is very much in the scrappy, low-rent style of the original show, which bodes well for this reboot.

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Boreanaz promised that a lot of the classic elements from the original show will return. Jim still operates out of a run-down mobile home and still drives a beat-up Pontiac Firebird. As for living up to James Garner’s performance, Boreanaz isn’t worried. “[C]ome on, how many James Bonds have there been?” he asked. “My attitude is ‘How can I make James Garner proud?’ while still doing my own take on the character.”

Boreanaz has the résumé to do a good job with this material. He played a homicide investigator for 12 seasons on Bones and the leader of a Navy SEAL team for seven seasons on SEAL Team, so he’s used to playing characters on the right side of the law. He also played a private investigator for five seasons on Angel. He’s now old enough to play a weather-beaten character like Jim Rockford, so everything is lining up.

Mike Daniels serves as writer and executive producer on The Rockford Files, with Greg Mottola directing the pilot. In addition to Boreanaz, the show stars Michaela McManus, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Jacki Weaver. Boreanaz’s son, Jaden, will also make his acting debut in the premiere episode, playing one of the many people who rough Rockford up in the course of his normal duties.