David Boreanaz, the actor famous for playing Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff, is making his return to network television. He will star as the lead in NBC’s upcoming reboot pilot of the classic detective series The Rockford Files. The 56-year-old actor takes over the iconic role of Jim Rockford, originally played by the late James Garner in the 1970s. Before officially signing on, Boreanaz made a thoughtful gesture by reaching out to Garner’s daughter, Gigi Garner, to get her blessing, a move she publicly appreciated.
The project marks Boreanaz’s first major TV role since the end of his military drama SEAL Team in 2024. This new version is described as a contemporary update of the show that ran on NBC from 1974 to 1980. The pilot comes from writer and executive producer Mike Daniels, with Universal Television producing.
David Boreanaz Steps Into James Garner’s Shoes for NBC Reboot
The casting announcement brings a familiar face back to the broadcast network schedule. Boreanaz is no stranger to leading long-running series, having starred in Angel for five seasons, Bones for 12 seasons, and SEAL Team for seven seasons. His first major role was as the vampire with a soul on Buffy the Vampire Slayer starting in 1997, which quickly made him a fan favorite .
In this reboot, Boreanaz will play James Rockford, described by NBC as a “witty, world-weary and chronically broke private investigator whose charmingly gruff exterior masked a strong moral core.” The official logline for the pilot reveals a fresh starting point for the character: “Newly paroled after doing time for a crime he didn’t commit, James Rockford returns to his life as a private investigator using his charm and wit to solve cases around Los Angeles. It doesn’t take long for his quest for legitimacy to land him squarely in the crosshairs of both local police and organized crime” .
The creative team behind the camera includes executive producers Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman, with Chris Leanza serving as co-executive producer. Writer Mike Daniels, known for his work on The Village and Shades of Blue, is penning the pilot .
Actor Sought Approval From James Garner’s Daughter Before Accepting Role
What sets this casting news apart is the personal touch Boreanaz brought to the process. Before officially agreeing to take on the role made famous by James Garner, he picked up the phone. He called Gigi Garner, the daughter of the late actor, to discuss the project and ask how she felt about a reboot.
Gigi Garner took to social media platform X to share the story. She posted, “So, I recently got a call from David Boreanaz. He was kind enough to share that he was offered the series & thinking about it. He wanted to know how I felt about the reboot, etc.” Her response was full of support for the Buffy alum. “If anybody can do it, HE CAN! I’m [100 percent] on board! It is going to be great! #PureClass #Jimbo” .
James Garner, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 86, played Jim Rockford across all six seasons of the original NBC drama. He received five Emmy nominations for the role, winning once in 1977. Garner also starred in eight Rockford Files TV movies between 1994 and 1999 . Garner’s daughter’s public endorsement carries weight with fans who hold the original series in high regard.
Boreanaz later shared his own gratitude on Instagram, posting a photo of the news headline with the caption, “Grateful. Thank you James, GiGi and NBC” .
From Buffy to SEAL Team: Boreanaz’s TV Journey Comes Full Circle
For viewers who have followed Boreanaz’s career, this new role connects back to his roots in some ways. On Angel, he played a private investigator running a detective agency in Los Angeles, investigating supernatural cases. While The Rockford Files will be grounded in reality without vampires or demons, the private eye setup gives Boreanaz familiar territory to work in.
His most recent role was physically demanding. He played Master Chief Petty Officer Jason Hayes on SEAL Team for seven seasons. In an interview with PEOPLE in August 2024, Boreanaz explained why the show had to end. “My body just can’t do it anymore!” he said. He described the intense physical toll, including injuries and multiple MRIs on his knees, hips, and shoulders. “I take good care of myself, but it gets to a point where your body’s not moving like it used to” .
Despite the challenges, he took pride in accurately representing military personnel. “They thank me for the real representation,” he noted about feedback from veterans who watched the show .
Interestingly, just a few months before this casting news, Boreanaz had expressed hesitation about returning to network television. In December 2024, he told TV Insider, “I’d probably shy away from a network series these days just because of the time and the amount that’s ordered. It’s just a lot of work.” However, he also explained his approach to choosing projects, saying he looks for something that “makes sense for me and also the character” . The Rockford Files apparently fit that bill.
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A Long History of Reboot Attempts Finally Moves Forward
The Rockford Files has been a sought-after property for revival for years, though previous attempts never made it to air. NBC first gave a pilot order to this version in January 2026, with the network signaling a return to a more traditional pilot season after years of reduced development .
There was a previous attempt in 2009 when NBC shot a pilot starring Dermot Mulroney and produced by Steve Carell, but that version did not go to series. Universal Pictures also spent time developing a feature film version that was going to star Vince Vaughn, but those plans also fell through .
The original series, created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, ran for more than 120 episodes. It co-starred Noah Beery Jr. , Joe Santos, Gretchen Corbett, and Stuart Margolin. The show was known for its memorable answering machine messages, car chases, and Garner’s laid-back but determined performance .
No premiere date has been announced yet for the reboot, as it is still in the pilot stage. If picked up to series, it would join NBC’s lineup at a later date . For now, fans of classic TV and Boreanaz’s work have a new project to look forward to, one that has already earned the support of the Garner family.
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