The schedule is set for Tracy Morgan’s return to television. The new comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins has its official premiere date, bringing Morgan back to NBC with a team of familiar faces and a fresh story about fame and second chances.
The series will begin with a special one-hour premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. For the first week only, the show will air two back-to-back episodes starting at that time. Beginning the following week on Monday, March 2, the show will move to its regular weekly timeslot at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes will be available to stream the day after they air on NBC through the Peacock service.
Meet the Cast and Characters Behind the Comeback
The show features a notable cast led by Morgan. Here is a look at the main characters:
- Tracy Morgan stars as Reggie Dinkins, a former NFL football star whose career ended in disgrace.
- Daniel Radcliffe plays Arthur Tobin, an award-winning documentary filmmaker hired to help Reggie rebuild his public image.
- Erika Alexander is Monica, Reggie’s childhood sweetheart and ex-wife, who also works as his agent and business manager.
- Bobby Moynihan portrays Rusty (also referred to as Gator in some reports), Reggie’s loyal former teammate who has stood by him.
- Precious Way joins as Brina, Reggie’s supportive fiancée.
- Jalyn Hall plays Carmelo, the teenage son of Reggie and Monica, who has grown up in the shadow of his father’s controversial career.
The series will also feature guest stars including Heidi Gardner, Anna Camp, Corbin Bernsen, and Ronny Chieng.
The Plot: A Disgraced Star’s Fight for Redemption
The series is a single-camera comedy that follows the story of Reggie Dinkins. After a gambling scandal where he bet on his own team’s games, Reggie was banned from the NFL for life, losing his career and the admiration of the public. Desperate to fix his reputation and win back the respect of his family, he hires filmmaker Arthur Tobin to create a documentary about his life.
The process forces Reggie to confront the mistakes of his past while navigating his complicated relationships with his ex-wife, his fiancée, his son, and his old friends. The show asks whether a public figure can truly change and if the public is ever willing to forgive.
A Creative Reunion with Strong Ties to 30 Rock
A significant part of the show’s story is happening behind the camera. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins marks a major reunion for Tracy Morgan and the creative team from the celebrated NBC sitcom 30 Rock.
Tina Fey, the creator and star of 30 Rock, serves as an executive producer on the new series. Robert Carlock and Sam Means, who also worked on 30 Rock, are the co-creators, co-showrunners, and writers. Morgan, Fey, Carlock, and Means all worked together for years on the earlier show.
This connection is more than just a behind-the-scenes detail. The creators have confirmed that the new show exists within the same fictional universe as 30 Rock and will include hidden references, or “Easter eggs,” for fans to find. Daniel Radcliffe, a self-described fan of 30 Rock, noted seeing these references during filming.
“It’ll be a real test for the people of TikTok to see if they, 1, find the show on broadcast and 2, if they can find the 30 Rock Easter eggs,” Tina Fey told Entertainment Weekly. “In the 30 Rock way, there are things threaded through the entire season, so there are a lot of rewards for paying attention.”
One confirmed Easter egg is the appearance of “Donaghy Estates” champagne, a brand associated with Alec Baldwin’s character, Jack Donaghy, on 30 Rock. The creators have even joked about the potential for Morgan’s 30 Rock character, Tracy Jordan, to make an appearance in the future, acknowledging the comedic similarity between the two roles.
Also Read:
What to Expect When the Show Premieres
The premiere on February 23 will lead into the 29th season premiere of The Voice, which is being rebranded as The Voice: Battle of Champions for a new format. This places the new comedy in a strong programming slot on NBC’s Monday night schedule.
As of now, a trailer for the series has not been released. NBC has released some early photos, and promotional material is expected to increase as the February premiere date gets closer.
Also Read: Seven Sisters: Elizabeth Olsen’s New Family Drama Moves Forward on Hulu
