NBC has ordered a pilot episode for a proposed reboot of classic ’70s series The Rockford Files

Deadline reports NBC has added to its slate of reboot pilots with an order for The Rockford Files. The project comes from writer Mike Daniels, producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly (Elementary) and Universal Television.

The Rockford Files — another blast from the past gets a makeover

The original series starred James Garner and ran on NBC from 1974-80. In an era of three UK TV channels, it was one of the shows everyone watched and was noted for many things including the beachfront home of Jim Rockford (Garner) and starting with his answer phone message.

Written by Daniels, the new series of The Rockford Files is a contemporary update on the classic series. 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 organised crime.

The original show starred Garner as ex-con turned L.A. private investigator Jim Rockford, who lived in a trailer in a beach parking lot. The show also starred Noah Beery Jr. as his father, a retired truck driver, as well as Joe Santos, Gretchen Corbett and Stuart Margolin. It received 18 Emmy nominations during its run with five wins, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting awards for Garner and Margolin.

With fond memories of our own, this is a show whose progress we will be tracking.