On Monday, August 10, NBC hosted its second annual Backlot Pass, an exclusive behind-the-scenes showcase held on the iconic Universal Studio Lot to celebrate NBC’s upcoming 2026–27 television slate.
Per NBC, the day provided journalists with “exclusive sneak peeks, live programming and immersive experiences spotlighting some of NBC’s most anticipated new series,” including “Line of Fire,” “Newlyweds,” “Sunset P.I.,” “The Rockford Files” and Peacock’s “Crystal Lake.”
On hand was an impressive lineup of on-air talent and behind-the-scenes creatives including Jamie Lee Curtis, Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Peter Krause, Hope Davis, Jake Johnson, David Boreanaz, Linda Cardellini and more.
‘Newlyweds’
NBCUniversalThis new comedy focuses on the “later-in-life love story” between free-spirited Jeanie (Téa Leoni) and buttoned-up professor James (Tim Daly), “who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.” Jamie Lee Curtis — who is the series’ exec producer — also stars.
As Curtis explained (via People), she’s thrilled to be in charge of the show. “I’m 68 years old. I’ve wanted to be a boss my whole life.” she explained. “I’ve been doing it not as a boss for a long, long time. And now I’m a boss, and I love it.” Premiere: October 23 on NBC
‘The Rockford Files’
NBCUniversalThis reboot of the James Garner TV classic is described as “a contemporary update” on the original series, which aired on NBC from 1974 until 1980. “Newly paroled after doing time for a crime he didn’t commit, James Rockford (David Boreanaz) returns to his life as a private investigator using his charm and wit to solve cases around Los Angeles,” reads NBC’s synopsis of the series, which also stars Michaela McManus and Jacki Weaver. “It doesn’t take long for his quest for legitimacy to land him squarely in the crosshairs of both local police and organized crime.” Premiere: January 2027 on NBC
‘Sunset P.I.’
NBCUniversalThe producing and writing team behind “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” serves up this single-camera workplace comedy following Mickey Wilder (Jake Johnson) and the rest of the private investigators employed by a past-its-prime detective agency in Hollywood.
As showrunner Dan Goor said, the series was loosely inspired by a classic TV hit that paired Bruce Willis with Cybill Shepherd. “Yeah, we were definitely influenced by ‘Moonlighting,'” he said (via Deadline). Added fellow shorwunner Luke Del Tredici, “it’s also a hard comedy and an ensemble workplace in the way that ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’ is and ‘Parks and Rec.’ We’re trying the mashup of all the great network television shows we love.” Premiere: February 2027 on NBC
‘Line of Fire’
NBCUniversalPeter Krause and Hope Davis head the cast of this drama in which “a family of law enforcement agents bridges personal differences and crosses professional boundaries as they tackle cases for the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice. After a seemingly cut-and-dry case turns into a deadly conspiracy, they must use the expertise from a lifetime of protecting civilians and politicians to protect one another and bring the killer to justice … even if it means betraying their sworn code.”
“I love the cliffhanger elements of the show,” Krause said, as reported by E! News, “as well as all the family issues and the surprising comedy involved.” Premiere: September 21, 2026 on NBC
‘Crystal Lake’
NBCUniversalSet to stream on Peacock, this prequel to the “Friday the 13th franchise” series follows single mother Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini), “who has been unable to shake her grief after her young, sickly son Jason tragically drowned in the town lake almost a year before. When two strangers arrive at Pam’s door digging into her past, a disturbing chain of events are set into motion, leaving the townspeople of Crystal Lake wondering: just who is Pam Voorhees?” In addition to Cardellini, the cast includes William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins and Gwendolyn Sundstrom.
“I think the biggest conceptual issue was people know what to expect from a ‘Friday the 13th’ — or at least they know what a ‘Friday the 13th’ movie should be,” explained series creator Brad Caleb Kane, via TV Insider. “It’s a teens go out to a place, they are having sex and doing drugs, and then they are hunted by Mrs. Voorhees or Jason in the subsequent films — or Roy in [movie] number five, for those die‐hards. But, thankfully, we weren’t making a ‘Friday the 13th’ movie. This was called ‘Crystal Lake,’ and we were doing a story about the town and a prequel about Jason’s mom, and it was really fresh snow. We could build it however we wanted. And feeling ownership for the franchise as a long‐time fan and a lover of it, truly die‐hard lover, I knew what I wanted to see as a grown‐up Friday the 13th fan… But I also grew up a little bit and became interested in other films and other themes in films, and I wanted to bring all of that cinema love to my love for Friday the 13th. So I was really given carte blanche.” Premiere: October 15 on Peacock
