Great things goes to those who wait, it seems — especially for fans of White Collar.
Series creator Jeff Eastin confirmed Thursday in Los Angeles that an updated version of the police procedural is finally in development.
“We’re gonna reboot. I’m writing the script,” Eastin said, as quoted by Variety. He appeared at the trade’s TV festival with stars Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay and Tiffany Thiessen — all of whom are expected to return.
“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.”
No word yet, however, on where the new version will end up, though it has long been rumored that Hulu would become the home since the series is owned by 20th TV. White Collar was produced for the NBCU-owned USA from 2009-2014 by Fox TV Studios, which is now a Disney entity.
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 moving ahead 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.”
