Oscar-nominated star Jacki Weaver has been added to the cast of NBC’s “Rockford Files” reboot pilot, joining previously cast stars David Boreanaz and Michaela McManus.
Weaver is cast in the pilot as Karma, an original character not derived from the original series. According to her character description, Karma is “Rockford’s longtime trailer park neighbor, a tough and outspoken activist, and a think tank analyst.”
On television, Weaver recently starred on FX’s “Clipped” as Sherri Sterling, the wife of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Her other television appearances include “Yellowstone,” “Hello Tomorrow,” “Perpetual Grace, LTD” and “Blunt Talk.” Weaver was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Unique Playbook” and won in the same category for “Animal Kingdom.”
NBC issued a trial order to reboot “The Rockford Files” in January. Boreanaz will play “Jim Rockford, a dim-witted, world-weary, chronically bankrupt private investigator with a strong moral core hidden beneath his charming, brusque exterior,” while McManus will play “an East Hollywood detective whose romantic relationship with Rockford becomes complicated when he publicly accuses Rockford of setting him up.”
The show is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studios Group, and includes writer and executive producer Mike Daniels, as well as EPs Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman. Chris Leanza will serve as co-EP, and Greg Mottola will direct and executive produce the pilot.
The logline for the new “Rockford Files” is as follows: “A modern update of the classic series of the same name. James Rockford, paroled for a crime he didn’t commit, returns to his life as a private investigator, using his charm and wit to solve cases around Los Angeles. It’s not long before his quest for legitimacy makes him a target of both local law enforcement and organized crime.”
The new “Rockford Files” is based on the original show starring James Garner that was created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell and aired on NBC from 1974 to 1980.
Mr. Weaver is repped by CAA and Elevate Entertainment.
