Jake Johnson to Star in NBC’s New Private Investigator Comedy

Jake Johnson, best known for his role as Nick Miller in the hit Fox sitcom New Girl, is set to return to network television as the lead in an upcoming private investigator comedy pilot for NBC. The project, hailing from the creative minds behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine, promises a fresh seize on the classic Los Angeles private eye trope.

A New Take on the Private Eye Genre

The still-untitled single-camera comedy, picked up by NBC in January, aims to “continue the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this indicate,” according to a logline provided by the network (Variety). The pilot is co-written and executive produced by Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, the duo behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on The Naked Gun and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, will direct the pilot and as well serve as an executive producer (Variety).

Meet Mickey: The Heartbroken Investigator

Johnson will portray Mickey, a “smart, cynical and heartbroken” private investigator who is attempting to mask his emotional state. The character is described as having “a knack for solving cases” and previously worked as an LAPD cop before his life took a turn three years ago (Yahoo Entertainment).

A Busy Year for Jake Johnson

This NBC pilot is just one of several projects keeping Johnson busy in 2026. He is also starring in “The Sun Never Sets” with Dakota Fanning, his fourth collaboration with Joe Swanberg, which premiered at SXSW. He has roles in the Apple TV+ series “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” alongside Tatiana Maslany, and the pickleball comedy “The Dink,” co-starring Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris (Yahoo Entertainment). This new role marks his return to a broadcast comedy series regular role since his seven-season run on New Girl (2011-2018).

NBC’s Expanding Comedy Lineup

This pilot is part of NBC’s strategy to bolster its comedy offerings. NBC scripted content president Lisa Katz noted the project would complement the already-renewed “St. Denis Medical” (Yahoo Entertainment). The network is also developing a reboot of “The Rockford Files” with David Boreanaz attached to star as Jim Rockford.

Production Details

Universal Television is producing the pilot. Johnson will also serve as a producer on the project, alongside Goor, Del Tredici, and Schaffer (NewsWave). Johnson is represented by UTA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.