NBC‘s most robust pilot season since the pandemic is over, with four of the network’s eight 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 volume (by current standards), January-May pilot season, the network bet on established TV stars anchoring each of its eight pilots, five dramas and three comedies.
That became one of the slate’s strongest selling points, with the leading performances testing high and singled out as a highlight at every screening. And while most picked up pilots have male leads, Line of Fire has been lauded for Krause’s chemistry with Hope Davis and her screen presence, Jane Levy is touted as a Sunset P.I. breakout, and Jacki Weaver is getting attention for The Rockford Files.
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As Deadline has reported, this made for a very competitive field, with scheduling needs determining some of the outcome. That was confirmed by Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, Peacock Scripted and Television Studios.
“Our creative teams, led by Lisa Katz at NBC and Erin Underhill at Universal Television, delivered an exceptional pilot slate, developing eight standout projects that reflect our ambition,” she said. “While we often hear the phrase embarrassment of riches, it truly applies in this case. This process allowed us to take big swings, and we landed on shows that we think can truly break through.”
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Making another case for the return of pilot season, NBC’s eight pilots created 4,000 jobs — all in the U.S. — across cast, crew and production teams, with three shot in Los Angeles on the Universal lot, three in New York and two in Atlanta.
As we reported, the NBC pilot race had one clear favorite, Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici’s Sunset P.I., the only project that had come into the process with a pilot production commitment. A frontrunner from the start, it sailed through the pitch, script and pilot stages to emerge as a lock for the 2026-27 schedule.
The search for a multi-camera companion to Happy’s Place came down to the wire and was more of a toss-up between Newlyweds, starring real-life newlyweds Leoni and Daly and featuring a scene-stealing guest-starring turn by the project’s executive producer Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kari Lizer’s Jill & Ginger, starring Katey Sagal and Jane Lynch.
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The drama race tightened up as it went along. Early standout The Rockford Files, a reboot of the classic 1970s series, remained strong, boosted by Boreanaz’s performance blending swagger and dry wit, with Line Of Fire, a mix of procedural with mystery and family drama, emerging as a top contender.
The Rockford Files is executive produced by Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman who received two pickups for PI shows announced this morning; they also EP ABC’s R.J. Decker, which was renewed for a second season.
NBC ended up not picking up either of its two drama pilots with female leads, Key Witness (fka untitled Dean Georgaris/John Fox), starring Emily Deschanel, and Wolf Entertainment’s What the Dead Know, starring Taylor Schilling.
If the network had one more drama slot on the schedule, one of them, possibly Key Witness, would’ve likely made it. The Emily Deschanel drama, a competitive buy at the pitch stage, is now being shopped to other networks.
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Meanwhile, there is talk about What the Dead Know being retooled around Schilling and her character as its anchor.
As previously noted, Puzzled, starring Damon Wayans Jr., was an outlier, lighter and funnier than the rest of the drama pilots.
Here are details on NBC’s 2026-27 scripted slate additions:
NEW DRAMA SERIES
LINE OF FIRE
A family of law enforcement agents bridges personal differences and crosses professional boundaries as they tackle cases for the FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice. After a seemingly cut-and-dry case turns into a deadly conspiracy, they must use the expertise from a lifetime of protecting civilians and politicians to protect one another and bring the killer to justice … even if it means betraying their sworn code.
The series stars Peter Krause, Hope Davis, Kat Cunning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom and Charlie Barnett.
Writer Josh Safran executive produces with Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector. Director Rebecca Thomas also executive produces (pilot only).
Formerly known as Protection, Line of Fire is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
THE ROCKFORD FILES
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 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.
The series stars David Boreanaz, Michaela McManus, Felix Solis and Jacki Weaver.
Writer Mike Daniels executive produces with Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman. Chris Leanza is co-executive producer. Director Greg Mottola also executive produces (pilot only).
The Rockford Files is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
NEW COMEDY SERIES
NEWLYWEDS
A later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.
The series stars Téa Leoni and Tim Daly with Jamie Lee Curtis as a recurring guest star.
Writer Gail Lerner executive produces with executive producers Eric and Kim Tannenbaum for The Tannenbaum Company, Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Schwartz, and Lionsgate Television. Director Pam Fryman also executive produces (pilot only).
Newlyweds is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales for all the above series.
SUNSET P.I.
Continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.
The series 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 also executive produces (pilot only).
Formerly known as Untitled Dan Goor/Luke Del Tredici Project, Sunset P.I. is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
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