The new NBC sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins brings together an unexpected but hilarious team of actors. The show comes from the creative minds behind 30 Rock, including Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Sam Means. It pairs comedy veteran Tracy Morgan with former Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in a story about two disgraced men trying to rebuild their reputations.
The series had a special preview on January 18, 2026, following an NFL playoff game. It drew 5.8 million viewers, making it NBC’s most-watched comedy debut since Night Court in January 2023 . The show officially moves to its regular timeslot on February 23, 2026, with back-to-back episodes airing Monday nights at 8/7c on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock .
Here is a complete guide to the main cast and characters, plus the many guest stars stopping by this season.
Tracy Morgan as Reggie Dinkins
Tracy Morgan plays the title character, Reggie Dinkins, a former NFL superstar whose career crashed in 2005. Reggie was a star running back for the New York Jets and an MVP until he accidentally exposed his own gambling scandal. He meant to call his bookie but instead dialed into a live news program and confessed to betting on his own games on air. The league banned him for life .
Twenty years later, Reggie lives in a New Jersey mansion with his teenage son, his much-younger fiancee, and his old teammate Rusty. He rarely leaves the house because he fears angry Jets fans might attack him . Reggie hires filmmaker Arthur Tobin to make a documentary that will clean up his image and maybe get him into the Hall of Fame.
Morgan previously worked with Tina Fey on 30 Rock, where he played Tracy Jordan. He told Entertainment Weekly that working on this new show feels like coming home.
“I didn’t want 30 Rock to be over. I learned a lot from Tina how to run a show, how to be on it, how to be the star, so yeah, it’s the same, but we don’t look backwards. We only look forward.”
Reviews note that while Reggie shares some traits with Tracy Jordan, the character has his own identity. Reggie serves as the warm center of the show, a man who relies on his family to help him navigate his comeback attempt .
Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Tobin
Daniel Radcliffe plays Arthur Tobin, an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker who also needs redemption. Arthur won his award for a serious documentary called A Rose for Joshua. After that success, Marvel hired him to direct a superhero movie called Professor Squeeze in the Monoverse. Things went badly .
Arthur had a very public meltdown on set. He could not keep track of which tennis balls represented which actors or computer-generated characters. A video of his breakdown went viral, and he has not worked since . Reggie hires him to make the documentary, and Arthur sees this as his chance to rebuild his career.
Radcliffe brings his signature commitment to the role. Critics describe his character as the “straight man” to Morgan’s wild comedy, similar to how Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon balanced Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock . However, Arthur also has his own funny moments as a pretentious artist forced to lower his standards.
The actor said he joined the project because he loved 30 Rock and felt the new show had the same balance of witty and fast-paced humor .
Erika Alexander as Monica
Erika Alexander plays Monica, Reggie’s ex-wife who also serves as his business manager and agent. The two divorced when their son Carmelo was five years old, but Monica stayed on to manage Reggie’s career. The show presents their relationship as one of the healthiest ex-spouse dynamics ever shown on television .
Monica is the brains of the operation. She knows what kind of project Reggie needs to fix his reputation. She initially doubts Arthur’s documentary will work, but she eventually becomes a key part of the team. Alexander, known for her role in Living Single, brings strength and comedy to the part.
The producers were thrilled to get her. Sam Means said, “Can’t believe she got on the phone with us, it was shocking” .
Bobby Moynihan as Rusty
Bobby Moynihan plays Rusty, Reggie’s former teammate and best friend. Rusty was a kicker for the Jets, and not a very good one. Now he lives in Reggie’s basement and serves as a constant presence in the household .
Moynihan, a Saturday Night Live veteran, brings his signature energy to the role. Rusty adds another layer of comedy as a man who also peaked years ago and now just hangs around. One review described Moynihan as finally becoming “the drunk uncle he played on SNL” .
Precious Way as Brina
Precious Way plays Brina, Reggie’s fiancee. She is much younger than him, an aspiring singer and social media influencer. Despite the age gap and the unusual family situation, Brina gets along well with everyone.
The show avoids the obvious conflicts. There is no bad blood between Brina and Monica. Instead, Brina supports Reggie and even begged Monica to come back when the two briefly parted ways in the pilot . Way brings a sweet and genuine quality to the role.
Jalyn Hall as Carmelo
Jalyn Hall plays Carmelo, Reggie and Monica’s teenage son. Carmelo lives with Reggie, Brina, and Rusty. Unlike many sitcom kids, Carmelo does not face pressure to follow his father’s football career. Reggie accepts that his son has his own path .
Hall, known for his role in Till, plays the grounded teenager in a house full of chaotic adults. The character provides a normal perspective on the crazy plans Reggie and Arthur cook up.
The Guest Stars: A Stacked Lineup
The show features an impressive list of guest stars for Season 1. Producers Robert Carlock and Sam Means told NBC Insider that having Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe attached to the project made it easier to recruit big names .
Megan Thee Stallion appears as Denise, a recently divorced mom who flirts with Arthur Tobin. The Grammy-winning musician steps into the comedy world for this role .
Craig Robinson plays Reggie’s former NFL rival. The Office and Hot Tub Time Machine actor brings his comedic timing to the part of a man determined to keep Reggie out of the Hall of Fame .
Heidi Gardner from Saturday Night Live plays Robinson’s wife. Her character also serves as a rival to Monica .
Other confirmed guest stars include Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians), Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law), and comedian Michael Kosta . News anchor Soledad O’Brien also makes an appearance playing herself .
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The Premise and Comedy Style
The show follows Reggie and Arthur as they try to make a documentary together. But they cannot agree on what kind of project they are creating. Reggie wants a movie that makes him look good. Arthur wants to make a serious documentary that tells the truth .
The series uses a mockumentary format, similar to The Office or Parks and Recreation. However, it adds a twist because Arthur, the documentarian, becomes part of the story. The show is a mockumentary about someone making a mockumentary .
Reviews praise the “odd couple” chemistry between Morgan and Radcliffe. The series earned a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews . Critics call it a “familiar yet fresh sports mockumentary” with a “perfect comedic blend” .
Where and When to Watch
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins airs Monday nights on NBC. The show moves to its regular timeslot on February 23, 2026, with the pilot re-airing at 8 p.m. ET followed by a new episode at 8:30 p.m. ET .
After the premiere, new episodes will air every Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The first season has 10 episodes and will run until mid-April 2026 .
Viewers can watch live on NBC or stream episodes the next day on Peacock. The show also will rebroadcast the pilot on February 28, 2026, at 1 a.m. ET/PT immediately following Saturday Night Live .
For international viewers, the series is expected to become available on various platforms, though specific international release dates have not been announced. Viewers in the UK, Canada, Australia, and India should check local listings for NBC content availability.
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