3 weeks ago
NBC’s astir robust aviator play since nan pandemic is over, pinch 4 of nan network’s 8 pilots going to series: dramas The Rockford Files, toplined by David Boreanaz, and Line of Fire, starring Peter Krause, and comedies Sunset P.I. (single-camera), headlined by Jake Johnson, and Newlyweds (multi-camera), starring Téa Leoni and Tim Daly.
In NBC’s return to a higher measurement (by existent standards), January-May aviator season, nan web stake connected established TV stars anchoring each of its 8 pilots, 5 dramas and 3 comedies.
That became 1 of nan slate’s strongest trading points, pinch nan starring performances testing precocious and singled retired arsenic a item astatine each screening. And while astir picked up pilots person antheral leads, Line of Fire has been lauded for Krause’s chemistry pinch Hope Davis and her surface presence, and Jane Levy is touted arsenic a Sunset P.I. breakout.
As Deadline has reported, this made for a very competitory field, pinch scheduling needs determining immoderate of nan outcome. That was confirmed by Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, Peacock Scripted and Television Studios.
“Our imaginative teams, led by Lisa Katz astatine NBC and Erin Underhill astatine Universal Television, delivered an exceptional aviator slate, processing 8 standout projects that bespeak our ambition,” she said. “While we often perceive nan building embarrassment of riches, it genuinely applies successful this case. This process allowed america to return large swings, and we landed connected shows that we deliberation tin genuinely break through.”
Making different lawsuit for nan return of aviator season, NBC’s 8 pilots created 4,000 jobs crossed cast, unit and accumulation teams — each successful nan U.S. — pinch 3 changeable successful Los Angeles connected nan Universal lot, 3 successful New York and 2 successful Atlanta.
As we reported, nan NBC aviator title had 1 clear favorite, Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici’s Sunset P.I., nan only task that had travel into nan process pinch a aviator accumulation commitment. A frontrunner from nan start, it sailed done nan pitch, book and aviator stages to look arsenic a fastener for nan 2026-27 schedule, apt arsenic a companion for St. Denis Medical.
The hunt for a multi-camera companion to Happy’s Place came down to nan ligament and was much of a toss-up betwixt Newlyweds, starring real-life newlyweds Leoni and Daly and featuring a scene-stealing guest-starring move by nan project’s executive shaper Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kari Lizer’s Jill & Ginger, starring Katey Sagal and Jane Lynch.
The play title tightened up arsenic it went along. Early standout The Rockford Files remained strong, boosted by Boreanaz’s capacity blending swagger and barren wit, arsenic Line Of Fire, a operation of procedural pinch enigma and family play emerged arsenic a apical contender.
NBC ended up not picking up either of its 2 play pilots pinch female leads, Key Witness (fka untitled Dean Georgaris/John Fox), starring Emily Deschanel, and Wolf Entertainment’s What nan Dead Know, starring Taylor Schilling.
If nan web had 1 much play slot connected nan schedule, 1 of them, perchance Key Witness, would’ve apt made it. The Emily Deschanel play is now being shopped to different networks.
Meanwhile, location is talk astir What nan Dead Know being retooled astir Schilling’s characteristic arsenic its anchor.
As antecedently noted, Puzzled, starring Damon Wayans Jr., was an outlier, lighter and funnier than nan remainder of nan play pilots.
Here are specifications connected NBC’s 2026-27 scripted slate
NEW DRAMA SERIES
“LINE OF FIRE”
A family of rule enforcement agents bridges individual differences and crosses master boundaries arsenic they tackle cases for nan FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice. After a seemingly cut-and-dry lawsuit turns into a deadly conspiracy, they must usage nan expertise from a life of protecting civilians and politicians to protect 1 different and bring nan slayer to justness … moreover if it intends betraying their sworn code.
The bid stars Peter Krause, Hope Davis, Kat Cunning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom and Charlie Barnett.
Writer Josh Safran executive produces pinch Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector. Director Rebecca Thomas besides executive produces (pilot only).
“Line of Fire” is produced by Universal Television, a section of Universal Studio Group.
“THE ROCKFORD FILES”
A modern update connected nan classical bid of nan aforesaid name. Newly paroled aft doing clip for a crime he didn’t commit, James Rockford returns to his life arsenic a backstage interrogator utilizing his charm and wit to lick cases astir Los Angeles. It doesn’t return agelong for his quest for legitimacy to onshore him squarely successful nan crosshairs of some section constabulary and organized crime.
The bid stars David Boreanaz, Michaela McManus, Felix Solis and Jacki Weaver.
Writer Mike Daniels executive produces pinch Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman. Chris Leanza is co-executive producer. Director Greg Mottola besides executive produces (pilot only).
“The Rockford Files” is produced by Universal Television, a section of Universal Studio Group.
NEW COMEDY SERIES
“NEWLYWEDS”
A later-in-life emotion communicative astir a free-spirited female and a buttoned-up professor who wed impetuously aft a whirlwind courtship.
The bid stars Téa Leoni and Tim Daly pinch Jamie Lee Curtis arsenic a recurring impermanent star.
Writer Gail Lerner executive produces pinch executive producers Eric and Kim Tannenbaum for The Tannenbaum Company, Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Schwartz, and Lionsgate Television. Director Pam Fryman besides executive produces (pilot only).
“Newlyweds” is produced by Universal Television, a section of Universal Studio Group.
NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles world income for each nan supra series.
“SUNSET P.I.”
Continues nan proud contented of Los Angeles backstage eyes that began pinch Philip Marlowe and will extremity pinch this show.
The bid stars Jake Johnson, Jane Levy, Langston Kerman, Mary Shalaby and Keith David.
Writers Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici will executive produce. Director Akiva Schaffer besides executive produces (pilot only).
“Sunset P.I.” is produced by Universal Television, a section of Universal Studio Group.
