AceShowbiz - The iconic private investigator Jim Rockford may soon be back on the streets of Los Angeles, as NBC has officially ordered a pilot for a modern update of the beloved series The Rockford Files. This move signals a significant step towards bringing one of television's most cherished detective dramas back to the small screen, decades after its original acclaimed run from 1974 to 1980.

The original The Rockford Files starred the inimitable James Garner as the titular private eye, operating from his humble Malibu trailer. Garner's portrayal of the charming, often reluctant hero, earned him an Emmy Award and solidified the show's enduring legacy. Created by Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins, the series was also notable for its sharp writing, with future Sopranos creator David Chase serving in its writers' room for several seasons.

The contemporary take on The Rockford Files comes from Universal Television, the original studio. Writer Mike Daniels (NBC’s The Village, Sons of Anarchy) is spearheading the script. The logline: "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." This fresh narrative retains the core essence of Rockford's character with a modern twist on his origins.

Daniels will executive produce the pilot alongside Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman, with Chris Leanza co-executive producing. Their collective vision aims to honor the original series while crafting a compelling story for today's audience. After its initial network run, and a notable legal dispute between Garner and Universal over profits, The Rockford Files continued its journey with eight successful TV movies on CBS.

In other pilot news, NBC has also greenlit Protection, a drama from Universal TV, penned by Josh Safran (Gossip Girl, Quantico). This series explores a law enforcement family targeted by a mysterious assassin after a U.S. marshal falls in the line of duty, with Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager among its executive producers. Additionally, the network is exploring another private investigator concept, a comedy pilot from Brooklyn Nine-Nine alumni Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, signaling diverse interest in the P.I. genre.