Los Angeles, Feb 27 (.) Michaela McManus has joined the ensemble of NBC’s pilot for “The Rockford Files”, which stars David Boreanaz in the title role.
The project is a contemporary update on the classic series of the same name. Newly paroled after doing time for a crime he didn’t commit, James Rockford (Boreanaz) 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 organised crime.
McManus will play Kate, an East Hollywood detective whose romantic relationship with Rockford got complicated after he publicly accused fellow officers of framing him. Kate is a new character created for the potential NBC series, not one that existed as part of the original, which ran from 1974 to 1980 with James Garner leading the cast as the titular detective.
While The Rockford Files is set in Los Angeles, the pilot will shoot in Atlanta with additional filming in Los Angeles. It has not been determined where production on the potential series would be based should the pilot get picked up; the show may apply for a California tax credit, reports Deadline.
The project is written and executive-produced by Mike Daniels. Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly executive produce under their Timberman/Beverly banner, with Chris Leanza serving as co-executive producer. Boreanaz is also attached as a producer. The studio behind the project is Universal Television.
Greg Mottola is set to direct the pilot, shaping the tone for this modern take on the enduring detective franchise. . . .