Jake Johnson is heading back to network comedy with Sunset P.I., and he already has some familiar guest stars in mind. The former New Girl star says he hopes his new NBC series eventually gives him a chance to work with members of the old loft crew again.
Johnson shared the idea while promoting Sunset P.I. at NBCUniversal’s Summer Backlot Experience. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he praised the loyalty of the New Girl audience and said he would like to bring some of his former costars into the new show and “connect to that universe.”
Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone and Damon Wayans Jr. have not been announced for Sunset P.I., and Johnson emphasized that the new comedy has its own identity.
Sunset P.I. follows a team of unconventional private investigators and stars Johnson alongside Jane Levy, Keith David, Langston Kerman and Mary Shalaby.
Johnson Wants to Leave the Door Open for His ‘New Girl’ Costars
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“What I’ve learned from the New Girl fanbase is that they are kind of loyal and awesome,” Johnson told Entertainment Weekly. “What I loved about this script is it felt so different and so unique,” he continued. “But what I hope is we can bring some of the cast from that show to be part of this show and kind of connect to that universe.”
The detective setting naturally invites one other comparison for longtime fans: Nick Miller’s fictional alter ego Julius Pepperwood. Johnson acknowledged the association while discussing the new series, but Sunset P.I. is not a continuation of Pepperwood or New Girl.
‘Sunset P.I.’ Takes Inspiration From ‘Moonlighting’ and ‘The Pitt’
Series creators Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici are drawing from a different group of television influences. During NBC’s Backlot event, they told Deadline that Moonlighting helped inspire the chemistry at the center of the show.
“Yeah, we were definitely influenced by Moonlighting,” Goor said. “Unfortunately, Jane Levy couldn’t be here today, but the chemistry between Jake and Jane is unbelievable.”
Del Tredici described the series as loosely inspired by Moonlighting while also functioning as a workplace ensemble in the vein of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation. The creators also pointed to The Pitt when discussing how Sunset P.I. could work for audiences watching week by week as well as viewers who stream multiple episodes.
Goor said the private-investigator format gives them room for continuing plotlines, individual cases and workplace comedy while acknowledging that a significant part of NBC’s audience will ultimately watch the series through streaming.
NBC Has Set the New Comedy for February 2027
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NBC officially ordered Sunset P.I. to series earlier this year. The network’s announcement lists Johnson, Levy, Kerman, Shalaby and David in the cast and places the comedy on its 2026-27 schedule with a February launch.
Johnson plays Mickey, a private investigator and former LAPD officer, while Levy plays Faye, an investigative journalist. The ensemble also includes David, Kerman and Shalaby as members of the Los Angeles private-investigation world.
Goor and Del Tredici write and executive produce the series, with Akiva Schaffer serving as an executive producer on the pilot. Universal Television produces. Johnson already has another New Girl reunion developing elsewhere. He and Damon Wayans Jr. are attached to star and executive produce an untitled Hulu pilot inspired by the 1996 movie The Cable Guy.