Series creator Jeff Eastin confirmed on Thursday in Los Angeles that a new version of the police procedural is finally in development.
“We’re gonna reboot. I’m writing the script,” Eastin said (pictured), as quoted by Variety. He appeared at the TV Festival alongside actors Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay and Tiffani Thiessen - all of whom are expected to return.
“I’m in!” exclaimed Bomer.
“It’s a fantastic script and it answers all the questions that one would have if you watch the show,” added DeKay, who continued, “and it would introduce the show to those who haven’t seen it as well. Both edges of the sword are honed.”
The reboot also is expected to honor the late Willie Garson, who played Mozzie in the original series. Garson died in 2021.
“With such sensitivity and such heart,” said Thiessen about the built-in tribute. “I told Jeff after I finished it, I literally was so excited, but at the same time had tears in my eyes — for good reason. You captured the suspense, the thrill, the characters and the love in that reboot.”
There's no word yet on where the new version will land, although Hulu has long been rumored to be its home since the series is owned by Disney sister company 20th Television.
White Collar was produced from 2009-2014 for NBCU's USA Network by Fox TV Studios, which was absorbed into Fox21 and eventually 20th TV, where the script for the reboot is now in development.
The White Collar library is on Hulu and existing seasons are now also available on Netflix, where fellow "Blue Sky" series Suits made waves last summer.
Bomer and Eastin began talking about a White Collar revival in 2020 during a charity cast reunion on the Stars In the House YouTube channel. “There is nothing I would want than to be on a set with this group of people again,” said Bomer, who organized the reunion. “There are real conversations happening. There seems to be a lot of excitement about it.”
In a 2023 interview, Bomer addressed the challenges of continuing without Garson.
“Obviously, that’s the first thing that came to my mind, but I felt that what Jeff Eastin presented to Tim and I honors what he contributed to the show and honors him as a person,” the actor said. “There’s no way I would ever be involved with it again if it didn’t do so. So I think it’s a way for him to, in some ways, still be a part of the show.”