David Boreanaz on updating The Rockford Files for a new generation
David Boreanaz has spent more than three decades building a television career through iconic roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones and SEAL Team. Now the actor is preparing for a new chapter as Jim Rockford in NBC's revival of The Rockford Files, one of the most beloved detective series in television history. During a roundtable interview at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, where Boreanaz was accompanied by his son Jaden, who also appears in the pilot, the actor discussed honoring James Garner's legacy, adapting the series for modern audiences and finding a character that arrived at exactly the right moment in his career.
The Rockford Files
One of the key challenges facing any revival of a classic television property is balancing nostalgia with the expectations of a new generation. Asked by TVBIZZ what elements needed updating and which had to remain intact, Boreanaz credited writer Mike Daniels with finding the right balance.
“Mike did a great job at updating that. The trailer area where his father lives - these trailer homes exist today in Malibu. And they basically, you go inside of them, you're going back to 1974 or 1978.”
For Boreanaz, the show's ability to connect past and present is one of its greatest strengths.
“So at the end of the pilot, I go into my father's trailer. I felt it was like a time warp. It was like 1974. And these people exist. That's how they live. So he has a great way of balancing the past with the present.”
He believes that approach will help the series appeal to viewers who never experienced the original.
“And I think that will continue and bring in some great new audience members, younger audiences that will love these characters.”
The actor was also asked about stepping into one of television's most recognizable roles and whether he felt pressure taking on a character so closely associated with James Garner.
“I think that everyone says, well, those are big shoes to fill and I don't look at them as shoes. We had different size shoes. He was 13. I'm a 10 and a half, 11, found out through Gigi (Gigi Garner, the daughter of James Garner, e.n.).”
Rather than attempting to replicate Garner's performance, Boreanaz said his goal is to honor the actor's legacy.
“For me, this is about making him proud, if anything. I'm not here to do what James Garner did with Jim Rockford. I'm not here to imitate him doing this role.”
The actor revealed that securing the blessing of Garner's daughter, Gigi Gardner, was a crucial moment in the process.
“I remember calling Gigi and getting her blessing. And I told Gigi, I said, listen, I'm not here to imitate your father. Your father's an icon. He's an inspiration. He's his own thing.”
Boreanaz described the role as an unexpected opportunity that arrived after another NBC project failed to move forward.
“I wasn't looking to do the Rockford Files. It just came to me.” After the cancellation of another pilot project, the offer arrived.
“And then, hey, do you want to play Jim Rockford? I'm like, oh, okay.”
The actor said that once production began, he quickly discovered his own connection to the character.
“I know shooting the first day was, for me, with all the work that I had put into it, and the preparation, and then going into it, and that first day of uneasiness and trying to find that, and then breaking through, and then it became just an amazing experience of vulnerability, and openness, and empathy, and courageousness, and simplicity, and being able to work the silence of the moments.”
Discussing his interpretation of Rockford, Boreanaz explained that he is drawing heavily from his own life experiences.
“I approach my own adversities and my own experiences to that for which is grounded. That for which is charming. That for which is sardonic. That for which is gruffy and angry.”
He sees the character as someone shaped by maturity and resilience.
“You are only as good as your experiences in life. That's my bag of tricks that I'm looking forward to standing in.”
Boreanaz also highlighted what he considers Rockford's defining trait. “He always finishes the job, regardless.”
The new version begins with Rockford emerging from prison after being wrongfully incarcerated, carrying emotional scars and unresolved grief following the death of his father. Boreanaz admitted that storyline resonated deeply with him personally.
“My parents are both 90 years old. I'm very close to my mother and my father.”
He revealed that the character's loss connected to one of his own greatest fears.
“I said to Mike I really love the script. I love this character. But one of the biggest things that scares me is my dad passing on and being a part of a show that the character has passed on.”
That emotional connection helped him find the vulnerability at the heart of the role.
“So I run that thread of vulnerability with the character and apply that in the pilot, which really helps drive Jim to try to come to resolve that.”
Another memorable moment from the discussion involved Boreanaz's son Jaden, who was seated quietly at the back of the room. The actor revealed that Jaden appears in the pilot as one of the young men sent to collect a debt from Rockford.
“One of those actors is Jaden right there. So that was a pretty cool experience.”
Asked about working together professionally for the first time, Boreanaz smiled as he recalled the fight scene.
“He lived it pretty hard. He got me a few times.”
The actor joked that the action became more realistic than expected.
“He was hitting me with this stick. I had a pad in the back of my leg. Well, that pad was great, but the stick ended up here a couple times. On my calf.”
When asked about the value of reviving a 50-year-old television property rather than creating a new detective series, Boreanaz pointed to both the strength of the original concept and the importance of timing.
“I think it's a fabulous IP for NBC. I think it's a strong one that they value.”
At the same time, he believes some projects simply arrive when they are supposed to. “I do believe things happen at the right time. And if you try to force it, then it doesn't work.”
The conversation also touched on his earlier career, including his years on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Looking back, Boreanaz emphasized the importance of the people who helped shape his career.
Production on The Rockford Files begins in October following completion of the pilot, with NBC targeting a January premiere. For Boreanaz, the project represents both a tribute to television history and an opportunity to introduce Jim Rockford to a completely new generation of viewers.
“Mike did a great job at updating that. The trailer area where his father lives - these trailer homes exist today in Malibu. And they basically, you go inside of them, you're going back to 1974 or 1978.”
For Boreanaz, the show's ability to connect past and present is one of its greatest strengths.
“So at the end of the pilot, I go into my father's trailer. I felt it was like a time warp. It was like 1974. And these people exist. That's how they live. So he has a great way of balancing the past with the present.”
He believes that approach will help the series appeal to viewers who never experienced the original.
“And I think that will continue and bring in some great new audience members, younger audiences that will love these characters.”
The actor was also asked about stepping into one of television's most recognizable roles and whether he felt pressure taking on a character so closely associated with James Garner.
“I think that everyone says, well, those are big shoes to fill and I don't look at them as shoes. We had different size shoes. He was 13. I'm a 10 and a half, 11, found out through Gigi (Gigi Garner, the daughter of James Garner, e.n.).”
Rather than attempting to replicate Garner's performance, Boreanaz said his goal is to honor the actor's legacy.
“For me, this is about making him proud, if anything. I'm not here to do what James Garner did with Jim Rockford. I'm not here to imitate him doing this role.”
The actor revealed that securing the blessing of Garner's daughter, Gigi Gardner, was a crucial moment in the process.
“I remember calling Gigi and getting her blessing. And I told Gigi, I said, listen, I'm not here to imitate your father. Your father's an icon. He's an inspiration. He's his own thing.”
Boreanaz described the role as an unexpected opportunity that arrived after another NBC project failed to move forward.
“I wasn't looking to do the Rockford Files. It just came to me.” After the cancellation of another pilot project, the offer arrived.
“And then, hey, do you want to play Jim Rockford? I'm like, oh, okay.”
The actor said that once production began, he quickly discovered his own connection to the character.
“I know shooting the first day was, for me, with all the work that I had put into it, and the preparation, and then going into it, and that first day of uneasiness and trying to find that, and then breaking through, and then it became just an amazing experience of vulnerability, and openness, and empathy, and courageousness, and simplicity, and being able to work the silence of the moments.”
Discussing his interpretation of Rockford, Boreanaz explained that he is drawing heavily from his own life experiences.
“I approach my own adversities and my own experiences to that for which is grounded. That for which is charming. That for which is sardonic. That for which is gruffy and angry.”
He sees the character as someone shaped by maturity and resilience.
“You are only as good as your experiences in life. That's my bag of tricks that I'm looking forward to standing in.”
Boreanaz also highlighted what he considers Rockford's defining trait. “He always finishes the job, regardless.”
The new version begins with Rockford emerging from prison after being wrongfully incarcerated, carrying emotional scars and unresolved grief following the death of his father. Boreanaz admitted that storyline resonated deeply with him personally.
“My parents are both 90 years old. I'm very close to my mother and my father.”
He revealed that the character's loss connected to one of his own greatest fears.
“I said to Mike I really love the script. I love this character. But one of the biggest things that scares me is my dad passing on and being a part of a show that the character has passed on.”
That emotional connection helped him find the vulnerability at the heart of the role.
“So I run that thread of vulnerability with the character and apply that in the pilot, which really helps drive Jim to try to come to resolve that.”
Another memorable moment from the discussion involved Boreanaz's son Jaden, who was seated quietly at the back of the room. The actor revealed that Jaden appears in the pilot as one of the young men sent to collect a debt from Rockford.
“One of those actors is Jaden right there. So that was a pretty cool experience.”
Asked about working together professionally for the first time, Boreanaz smiled as he recalled the fight scene.
“He lived it pretty hard. He got me a few times.”
The actor joked that the action became more realistic than expected.
“He was hitting me with this stick. I had a pad in the back of my leg. Well, that pad was great, but the stick ended up here a couple times. On my calf.”
When asked about the value of reviving a 50-year-old television property rather than creating a new detective series, Boreanaz pointed to both the strength of the original concept and the importance of timing.
“I think it's a fabulous IP for NBC. I think it's a strong one that they value.”
At the same time, he believes some projects simply arrive when they are supposed to. “I do believe things happen at the right time. And if you try to force it, then it doesn't work.”
The conversation also touched on his earlier career, including his years on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Looking back, Boreanaz emphasized the importance of the people who helped shape his career.
Production on The Rockford Files begins in October following completion of the pilot, with NBC targeting a January premiere. For Boreanaz, the project represents both a tribute to television history and an opportunity to introduce Jim Rockford to a completely new generation of viewers.
