Jay Hernandez Lands Lead on Magnum P.I. Reboot

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Jay Hernandez may not be known dazzling us with his sparkling white smile, but when he lets loose, he looks pretty darn good.

Does it even matter? Just because Tom Selleck played Magnum P.I. years ago with a bit of humor and often flashed a grin, it doesn't mean the character in the upcoming CBS reboot will be anything like the original.

But with all that success, why toy with something as simple as the comedic aspects that made a man who had been through hell and back loveable?

Like all pilots, this one has been conceived to be diverse. In other words, it doesn't follow the same character structure as the original and all characters are open for reinterpretation.

It was always the plan for the network to find a non-white actor the lead character of Thomas Magnum.

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The reboot follows Magnum (Hernandez), a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator.

With help from fellow vets Theodore “TC” Calvin and Orville “Rick” Wright, as well as that of disavowed former MI:6 agent Juliet Higgins, Magnum takes on the cases no one else will, helping those who have no one else to turn to.

Juliet Higgins is another character falling far from the original from the show. In the series' namesake, Higgins was a balding older man who often got under foot when dealing with Magnum.

Their relationship seemed strained, but in reality there was nothing they wouldn't do for each other. How Juliet Higgins might be different in character as she is from being a female we'll have to wait to find out.

The pilot will be set in Hawaii, with CBS remake-king Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver) writing and executive producing alongside Eric Guggenheim. Action director Justin Lin will be at the helm. 

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John Davis and John Fox are exec producing via their Davis Entertainment banner.

This would be the first full-time series for Hernandez since he was involved with Fox and Gang Related.

Are you excited for him to take over such a classic role?

Do you think he should grow a mustache and don Hawaiian shirts or should the next Magnum get his own signature style?

Let's hear what you have to say in the comments!

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.

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