David Boreanaz’s NBC Rockford Files Reboot Sets Official Release Date

Credit: Media Punch/INSTARimages.com Published Nov 5, 2026, 1:00 PM EST Jennifer is a TV and Movie News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media in 2022 when she first joined Valnet at CBR before coming to ScreenRant. Jennifer loves TV, especially science fiction. She also loves late-night talk shows, due to her insomnia. Alien: Earth is definitely one of her favorite shows, and she jumps on any chance she gets to write about it. Even on her days off, she will claim an Alien Earth article if one is available. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are two of her favorite late-night hosts, and Conan O'Brien before he left his show. Her Alien: Earth coverage for ScreenRant is by far the work that she is most proud of so far. She was initially a finance and political editor, but her passion for pop culture convinced her to transition into entertainment journalism. During her off time, she loves to binge-watch cooking shows such as Kitchen Nightmares. Jennifer also loves spending time with her daughter and cherishes every moment of it. Sign in to your ScreenRant account The Rockford Files is coming back stronger than ever. NBC has officially revealed when its upcoming The Rockford Files reboot will premiere, bringing the classic private investigator series back to TV with Bones and SEAL Team star David Boreanaz in the leading role. The network has also launched a special promotional hotline, (760) JIM-ROCK, inspired by the original show's memorable answering machine messages, giving audiences a fun interactive experience ahead of the show's release. NBC has also dropped a new private investigator advertisement promoting Rockford's services to accompany the aforementioned hotline. The video shows Boreanaz offering his investigative services, which include infidelity, identity theft, extortion, and embezzlement. Check out the ad below: According to NBC, The Rockford Files' very first episode will be released on Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 8:00 PM. ET and 5:00 PM PT, following the NFL game. After the premiere, the series will then officially air new episodes on Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET and 6:00 PM PT, beginning on January 7, 20207. The upcoming series is a modern-day version of the 1970s' The Rockford Files. The show will follow James Rockford, a private investigator who is attempting to rebuild his life after serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit. He returns to Los Angeles and gets back to work, solving complicated cases. However, his efforts to establish himself as a legitimate private investigator constantly force him to butt heads with law enforcement. The Rockford Files stars Boreanaz, Michaela McManus, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Jacki Weaver. Mike Daniels serves as a writer and an executive producer of the show. Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, and David Hudgins are also attached as executive producers. Universal Television produces the reboot series. The original Rockford Files was a crime drama that aired on NBC from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980. Created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, the series starred James Garner as Jim. The show became one of the popular detective dramas of the 1970s and was ranked No. 39 on TV Guide's 2002 list of the 50 greatest TV shows. The titular character's unconventional methods and personality helped set The Rockford Files apart from its competitors. He usually dressed casually, rarely carried a weapon, and attempted to get out of dangerous situations by talking instead of fighting or lying, which was rare during its time. Following the show's conclusion in 1980, Garner reprised the role for eight TV movies released between 1994 and 1999. The Rockford Files will premiere on January 2, 2027, at 8:00 PM ET and 5:00 PM PT. Release Date 1974 - 1980-00-00 Network NBC Directors William Wiard, Lawrence Doheny, Ivan Dixon, Jerry London, Reza Badiyi, Russ Mayberry, Jackie Cooper, Lou Antonio, Corey Allen, Jeannot Szwarc, Stephen J. Cannell, Alexander Grasshoff, Arnold Laven, Harry Falk, John Patterson, Stuart Margolin, Alexander Singer, Bernard L. Kowalski, Bernard McEveety, Bruce Kessler, Charles S. Dubin, Christian I. Nyby II, Dana Elcar, Hy Averback Writers Gordon T. Dawson, Rudolph Borchert, Don Carlos Dunaway, Edward J. Lakso, David Taylor, Donald L. Gold, Rogers Turrentine, Walter Dallenbach, Lester Wm. Berke, William R. Stratton, Jo Swerling Jr., Leigh Brackett, Mitch Lindemann, Robert Hamner, Zekial Marko, Howard Berk, Shel Willens, Eric Kaldor, Gloryette Clark Cast James Garner Jim Rockford Noah Beery Jr. Joseph "Rocky" Rockford Creator(s) Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins