David Boreanaz Says Filming With His Son Got Physical — And He’s Got the Marks to Prove It

David Boreanaz is taking on one of the most iconic roles in television history, and he didn’t have to look far to find a co-star for the journey — his own son joined him on set.

The 57-year-old actor is leading the upcoming reboot of The Rockford Files, a reimagining of the classic series originally led by James Garner as Jim Rockford, a wrongly convicted ex-con turned private investigator. According to People, speaking at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival, Boreanaz revealed that his son, Jaden Boreanaz, appears alongside him in the show’s pilot episode.

While he kept plot details under wraps, Boreanaz did share that things got surprisingly intense between them during filming. According to comments relayed via Deadline, Boreanaz explained that despite wearing protective padding, his son’s prop weapon still managed to connect with his calf multiple times during their scene together, leaving him genuinely pinned down in the moment.

Boreanaz also revealed that landing the lead role wasn’t something he initially sought out. At the time the offer came in, he was already developing a separate project at NBC titled Doctor Vigilante. Instead, he was brought on for The Rockford Files pilot, which has since been picked up for a full series order.

The original Rockford Files ran from 1974 to 1980, with Garner anchoring the series after a career that included early TV work on Maverick and major film roles in titles like The Great Escape and Grand Prix. Garner passed away in 2014 at age 86.

Garner’s daughter, Gigi Garner, previously revealed that Boreanaz personally reached out to her before accepting the role, wanting her perspective on the reboot. She expressed full support for the project, praising Boreanaz as the right choice to carry the character forward.

Boreanaz’s television career spans decades, beginning with his breakout role as Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997, which later led to the spin-off series Angel. He went on to star as Seeley Booth on Bones and later led the cast of SEAL Team as the team’s commanding officer.

As for Jaden, The Rockford Files marks a continuation of his acting career, which began with an appearance on Bones back in 2017. Whether he’ll appear in future episodes beyond the pilot remains unconfirmed.

Reflecting on the pressure of stepping into such a beloved role, Boreanaz told Variety that he’s choosing to focus on honoring Garner’s legacy while still bringing his own interpretation to the character, rather than worrying about comparisons. He also acknowledged that previous attempts to revive the franchise hadn’t panned out, but feels the timing — and his own readiness for the role — finally feels right.