NBC Bets on New Detective Comedy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Mind, Featuring Rick & Morty Voice Star
The Creative Force Behind a New Detective Series
The minds that delivered the clever chaos of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are back, ready to ignite the small screen with a brand-new detective comedy on NBC. Dan Goor, the co-creator revered for elevating the workplace comedy formula, teams up once again with executive producer Luke Del Tredici on this anticipated project. Their choice to cast Jake Johnson—known for his iconic delivery as Nick Miller in New Girl—as the protagonist Mickey, already brings a magnetic pull for fans of offbeat, emotionally layered comedy.
A New Breed of PI: Mickey’s Character Arc
Mickey, the lead, is far from your classic hardboiled detective. Once an LAPD officer, Mickey’s sharp mind has been bruised by a professional and personal crisis that left him both jaded and adrift. This modern take allows Johnson to infuse vulnerability and dry wit, subverting the typical Hollywood gumshoe trope and making room for real growth and raw comedic moments.
An Authority Figure with Gravitas: Enter Keith David
Stepping in as agency head is none other than Keith David, a legend whose vocal talents are instantly recognizable for fans of Rick and Morty (as President Curtis), Gargoyles, and the animated classic Coraline. On screen, his presence grounds the series—here, he plays Garner Taggert, a tough, old-school boss with grounding but somewhat outdated views. Running the Taggert PI Agency alongside sons Mitch and Mickey, David’s role bridges generations, giving space to both gentle ribbing and rich, intergenerational banter.
Creative Pedigree at the Helm
Directing the pilot is Akiva Schaffer, celebrated for parody brilliance in The Naked Gun reboot and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, as well as his Emmy-winning contributions to Saturday Night Live and I Think You Should Leave. Schaffer’s comedic sensibilities and earlier experience closing Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s first season promise a polished, rapid-fire energy tailored to today’s binge-loving audiences.
LA Noir Tradition, Reimagined
The series sets up a playful, meta nod to the storied world of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe. But unlike its gritty forebears, this show aims to both celebrate and poke holes in the detective genre, blending quick-fire workplace antics with the emotional messiness of family and second chances. This positioning lets long-time fans of noir, new comedy lovers, and those nostalgic for smart ensemble casts each find their way in.
The Stakes for NBC’s Programming Slate
As part of the latest wave of NBC pilots—alongside high-profile drama projects featuring talent like David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel—this half-hour comedy signals the network’s ongoing investment in character-driven, witty, and culturally sharp storytelling sets. While only in pilot stage, the chemistry of cast and crew already puts it ahead as one of the season’s most promising series for those who crave narrative depth in their procedural laughs.
