David Boreanaz is officially heading back to primetime—and this time, he’s taking on a television legend.
NBC has confirmed that the 56-year-old actor will star in a reboot of The Rockford Files, stepping into the iconic role of private investigator James Rockford. The character was originally portrayed by James Garner in the hit series that ran from 1974 to 1980 and later spawned several TV movies.
The new version is being described as a modern update of the classic crime drama. According to the official premise, Rockford is freshly released from prison after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. He returns to private investigation in Los Angeles, using his charm and instincts to solve cases—while navigating tension with both law enforcement and criminals.
Boreanaz is no stranger to investigative roles. He famously played Angel, the brooding vampire-turned-detective, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel. More recently, he wrapped a seven-season run as Jason Hayes on SEAL Team.
In a 2024 interview, Boreanaz admitted that the physically demanding role on SEAL Team took a toll on his body. He spoke candidly about injuries, multiple MRIs, and the strain of maintaining the intense realism the show required. Despite that, he has remained committed to action-heavy roles.
Taking on The Rockford Files places him in the center of another high-profile franchise revival at a time when networks are betting big on nostalgic properties.
For NBC, it’s a bold attempt to modernize a classic. For Boreanaz, it’s another leading-man chapter in a career that has spanned supernatural thrillers, military dramas, and now a reboot of one of television’s most beloved detective series.
