The television landscape is about to welcome a new detective comedy, Sunset P.I. set to debut on NBC in February. The show’s creators, Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici recently shared their vision and inspirations during a panel at the network’s Backlot Press Day in Los Angeles. Joining them were stars Jake JohnsonKeith DavidLangston Kerman and Mary Shalaby.
Sunset P.I. follows the story of Mickey Wilder (Johnson), a former LAPD cop turned private investigator. Mickey is a complex character, described as smart, cynical, and heartbroken, yet trying to hide it. The show is set in the Garner Taggart PI Agency where Mickey works alongside his boss, Garner Taggart (David), Garner’s son Mitch (Kerman), and Raya (Shalaby). Jane Levy who was unable to attend the press event, plays Faye a resourceful investigative journalist.
Inspirations Behind Sunset P.I.
The creators of Sunset P.I. drew inspiration from a variety of sources. Goor and Del Tredici, who previously executive produced the popular police comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine revealed that the hit 80s dramedy series Moonlighting was a significant influence. Moonlighting centered on the Blue Moon Detective Agency formed by Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and David Addison (Bruce Willis), and was known for its sexual tension and chemistry between the leads.
“Yeah, we were definitely influenced by Moonlighting” shared Goor. “Unfortunately, Jane Levy couldn’t be here today, but the chemistry between Jake and Jane is unbelievable. It’s hard to watch, but in a good way. I should not have said that,” he continued with a laugh. Del Tredici added, “It’s loosely inspired by [Moonlighting]. We really like the chemistry between them and the dating and that, but 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.”
The Pitt’s Influence on Sunset P.I.
Another source of inspiration for the creators was the critically acclaimed HBO Max medical drama series The Pitt led by Noah Wyle. However, the inspiration from this show doesn’t come from the storyline but rather its structure. “We were really inspired by The Pitt which feels like both a really effective streaming show and also a really effective network show,” said Goor. “And we felt like with a PI show, where you can have some overriding plot elements, and also do case-of-the-week things, and do workplace comedy, we are hoping to get the best of both worlds. [Sunset P.I.] is a network show, but we are also conscious of the fact that a large percentage of the audience will stream it.”
The Dynamic Cast of Sunset P.I.
The cast of Sunset P.I. brings a wealth of talent and experience to the show. Jake Johnson known for his roles in New Girl and Jurassic World takes on the lead role of Mickey Wilder. Keith David a veteran actor with roles in The Thing and Princess and the Frog plays the boss, Garner Taggart. Langston Kerman and Mary Shalaby round out the main cast as Mitch and Raya respectively. Jane Levy known for her roles in Suburgatory and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist plays the investigative journalist Faye.
With its unique blend of influences and a talented cast, Sunset P.I. promises to be a standout addition to the television landscape. As the creators and cast continue to share their vision, anticipation for the show’s February premiere grows.
