Jake Johnson Stars in NBC's New Private Investigator Comedy Pilot

Jake Johnson, known for his role in the sitcom "New Girl," is set to lead a new untitled private investigator comedy pilot at NBC. The project is developed by Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, both of whom have experience with successful comedies, including "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." The pilot is described as a workplace comedy that continues the legacy of Los Angeles private eyes, a tradition that began with the iconic character Philip Marlowe.

The Wrap

In this pilot, Johnson portrays Mickey, a private investigator characterized as "smart, cynical, and heartbroken, but trying to pretend he’s not." Mickey's backstory reveals that he was formerly an LAPD cop whose life took a downturn three years prior. The show aims to blend humor with the classic tropes of detective stories, although specific plot details remain limited.

Variety Magazine

The pilot is produced by Universal Television, with Akiva Schaffer serving as director and executive producer. Goor and Del Tredici are co-writing and executive producing the project. This pilot is part of a broader trend at NBC, which is also developing a reboot of "The Rockford Files," featuring David Boreanaz as Jim Rockford. NBC's scripted content president, Lisa Katz, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting its comedic potential and alignment with the network's successful programming.

Variety Magazine

In addition to this pilot, Johnson has a busy schedule for 2026. He will appear in "The Sun Never Sets" at SXSW, marking his fourth collaboration with director Joe Swanberg, and will star in the Apple TV series "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" alongside Tatiana Maslany. He is also involved in a pickleball comedy titled "The Dink," featuring Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris.

Deadline Hollywood

While the pilot has garnered attention, some industry observers may question the necessity of another private investigator comedy, especially given the existing projects in development. The success of such shows often hinges on their ability to offer fresh perspectives or innovative storytelling within a familiar genre.

The Wrap

NBC's Katz highlighted the project's comedic strength, stating, "It was laugh-out-loud funny, and felt like such a home run for NBC comedy." This sentiment reflects the network's confidence in the pilot's potential to resonate with audiences.

The Wrap

• “Smart, cynical and heartbroken, but trying to pretend he’s not, Mickey is a private investigator with a knack for solving cases.” — NBC Character Description

Deadline Hollywood

• “It was laugh-out-loud funny, and felt like such a home run for NBC comedy and what’s been [consistently] successful for us.” — Lisa Katz, NBC Scripted Content President

The Wrap

This new pilot represents a significant opportunity for Johnson to return to a regular role in broadcast comedy, following his successful tenure on "New Girl." As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how it distinguishes itself in a competitive television landscape.

Variety Magazine