Jake Johnson Takes Lead in New NBC Comedy Pilot as Private Investigator

NBC has announced that actor Jake Johnson will star in its upcoming comedy pilot focused on a private investigator set in Los Angeles. This untitled show, produced by Universal Television, is the latest collaboration from Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, both known for their work on the acclaimed series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The pilot will also feature the directorial talents of Akiva Schaffer, who recently worked on The Naked Gun.

In a nod to the tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that dates back to the legendary Philip Marlowe, Johnson will portray the character Mickey: a clever, cynical, and heartbroken investigator trying to mask his emotions. Once an officer with the LAPD, Mickey’s life took a turn three years ago, leading him to his current role as a private investigator.

The announcement of Johnson’s casting continues a trend this year, as several actors with connections to Fox series from the 2010s are leading new NBC pilots. Joining Johnson in these projects are familiar names such as Damon Wayans Jr., who starred in Puzzled, David Boreanaz from The Rockford Files, Emily Deschanel with an untitled criminal profiler drama, Peter Krause in Protection, and Jane Lynch in a comedy alongside Katey Sagal.

Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici will not only write the pilot but also serve as executive producers, alongside Schaffer. Johnson has taken on a dual role as both actor and producer for the project.

In addition to this new endeavor, Johnson is set to appear alongside Dakota Fanning in The Sun Never Sets, directed by filmmaker Joe Swanberg. This film is scheduled to premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in March 2024.

Johnson also has two projects lined up with Apple TV later this year. One is a feature comedy titled The Dink, which centers around the sport of pickleball, and the other is a series called Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Johnson is represented by UTA and Jackoway Austen.

With a promising cast and creative team, this NBC pilot looks to blend humor with the classic allure of detective work in Los Angeles, revitalizing a genre that has seen many interpretations over the decades.