The Rockford Files Reboot Nabs David Boreanaz
TV’s coolest PI is getting a new ride: the former Angel star will play Jim Rockford, the role James Garner turned into a legend.
File this under TV icons passing the torch: David Boreanaz is stepping into Jim Rockford’s worn-in shoes for NBC’s new pilot of The Rockford Files. That’s a big pair of loafers to fill, and I mean that in the best way.
Boreanaz takes the wheel as Rockford
Yes, that Jim Rockford — the wry, reluctant PI with the answering machine and the Pontiac. Boreanaz will headline the network’s pilot for a modern take on the classic series. If this goes to series, expect a very different energy from the original without losing the hangout charm that made Rockford a staple.
The legacy he’s walking into
James Garner originated Rockford and played him through the show’s original run from 1974 to 1980. He didn’t stop there: he brought the character back for eight TV movies, with his final turn as Rockford in 1999. That’s not just a role — that’s a legacy gig.
The Boreanaz TV marathon
Boreanaz has basically lived on your television for three decades straight, moving from one long-running series to the next. Quick refresher:
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996–1999): broke out as Angel across three seasons
- Angel (1999–2004): headlined the spin-off on The WB
- Bones (2005–2017): 12 seasons as Agent Seeley Booth
- SEAL Team (2017–2024): led the CBS military drama
The gap between SEAL Team wrapping in 2024 and this Rockford pilot is about two years — the longest stretch Boreanaz has been off TV in more than 30 years. That tells you how consistently he’s anchored prime-time-sized shows.
Curious to see how this pilot updates Rockford’s blue-collar sleuthing without sanding off the grit. More as it develops.