Jake Johnson Takes Lead Role in NBC’s New P.I. Comedy

NBC has announced that actor Jake Johnson will star in a new comedy pilot centered around a private investigator in Los Angeles. This untitled project marks the collaboration of Brooklyn Nine-Nine creators Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici. The pilot is produced by Universal Television and will be directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his recent work on The Naked Gun reboot.

Johnson, celebrated for his roles in New Girl and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, will portray Mickey, a private investigator who is both intelligent and cynical. Despite his heartbroken demeanor, he attempts to mask his emotional struggles. The character’s background reveals that he was once an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department before his life unraveled three years ago.

In a nod to the classic tradition of L.A. private eyes, Goor and Del Tredici’s comedy aims to evoke the legacy of iconic figures like Philip Marlowe. Johnson’s casting is part of a trend this year, as several actors from Fox series of the 2010s are leading pilots for NBC. Among them are his New Girl co-star Damon Wayans Jr. and notable names like David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel.

The pilot project aligns with Johnson’s ongoing career momentum. He is set to co-star with Dakota Fanning in The Sun Never Sets, directed by Joe Swanberg, which will debut at the SXSW festival in March 2024. In addition, Johnson has two upcoming projects with Apple TV, including The Dink, a comedy about pickleball, and the series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

As a producer on the NBC pilot, Johnson is deeply involved in its development. The partnership between Goor, Del Tredici, and Schaffer promises to deliver a fresh take on the genre, blending humor with the gritty realities of private investigation in Los Angeles. With a rich history of engaging television behind them, the team is poised to capture the interest of audiences when the pilot airs.