It's been over eight years since New Girl wrapped its seven-season run, but fans of Nick Miller can finally rejoice: Jake Johnson is heading back to network TV. The actor is set to star in a brand-new half-hour comedy that promises plenty of classic mess-around energy. Sunset P.I. will debut on NBC in early 2027, and we've just gotten our first glimpse at the show and its ensemble cast.
The series is scheduled to premiere on February 8, 2027, at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock. It will take over the time slot currently occupied by The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the Tracy Morgan–Daniel Radcliffe comedy that concludes its second season at midseason. Sunset P.I. is one of two detective shows on NBC's midseason slate; the other is a reboot of The Rockford Files, starring David Boreanaz, which kicks off on January 2.
Created by Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, Sunset P.I. is a workplace comedy set in a Los Angeles detective agency. Johnson plays Mickey Wilder, a lovelorn private eye who's a bit of a mess but has a good heart. He works alongside Julius Royal (Keith David), an old-school gumshoe stuck in the past; Julius's lovable son Justin (Langston Kerman); quick-witted investigator Faye (Jane Levy); and deeply disinterested receptionist Raya (Mary Shalaby). The show's logline describes it as "about a proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show." The first season will consist of ten episodes.
Goor and Del Tredici are no strangers to comedy. Goor co-created Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where Del Tredici served as a writer and producer. Del Tredici also produced HBO's Bored to Death, another detective comedy. Akiva Schaffer, known for The Naked Gun, is executive producing and directing the pilot.
For fans of Johnson's previous work, this feels like a natural fit. His knack for playing charmingly hapless characters is on full display in the first-look images, which show Mickey in classic detective attire—fedora, trench coat, and a perpetually bewildered expression. The supporting cast adds plenty of comedic firepower, with Keith David bringing gravitas and Jane Levy adding sharp wit.
The show arrives at a time when network comedies are making a comeback, and NBC is betting big on this one. With a strong creative team and a talented cast, Sunset P.I. could be the next big thing in half-hour TV. If you're a fan of detective stories with a comedic twist, this is one to watch.
While you wait for Sunset P.I., you might want to check out another February 2027 premiere or revisit the greatest detectives on screen. And if you're in the mood for more Jake Johnson, his previous work is always worth a rewatch.
Mark your calendars: Sunset P.I. premieres February 8, 2027, on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock. Get ready for a new kind of detective comedy that's equal parts mystery and mess.
