Dan Goor is returning to the crime-solving comedy with “Sunset P.I.,” but don’t expect a carbon copy of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
The new NBC comedy, which has received a 10-episode order, was co-created by Goor and fellow “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” veteran Luke Del Tredici. It stars Jake Johnson (“New Girl”), Jane Levy (“Suburgatory”), and Keith David (“Community”). And while its procedural framework may feel familiar to fans of Goor’s previous series, which he co-created with Mike Schur (“Parks and Recreation”), its central relationship promises something different.
I caught up with Goor backstage at New York Comic Con on Thursday, following the “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” retrospective I moderated as part of NBC’s 100th anniversary celebration. We discussed what drew him back to the genre, how “Sunset P.I.” distinguishes itself from the Nine-Nine, and whether the two comedies could conceivably exist in the same universe.
How Sunset P.I. Differs From Brooklyn Nine-Nine
TVLINE | Let’s dive into “Sunset P.I.,” which is coming at midseason and certainly shares some DNA with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Dan, what made you want to return to a comedy built around solving crimes — and what distinguishes this show from the Nine-Nine?
The show is co-created by me and Luke Del Tredici. Luke was the No. 2 on “Brooklyn” and really integral to its success and a lot of the great stories and jokes. It stars Jake Johnson from “New Girl,” Keith David from literally everything, and Jane Levy from “Suburgatory” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”
One thing we really liked about the structure of a show like “Brooklyn” was that we were able to do traditional sitcom and workplace stories, but the case-solving procedural elements meant that plot could be driven by something other than the crazy interactions between the people.
That meant we didn’t have to push their relationships farther and farther every season, because there were other stakes and other story drivers. I think we did a decent job of keeping them human and grounded throughout.
That’s similar [on “Sunset P.I.”]. We have this great plot driver, great stakes driver, and a really funny ensemble that will do case stories, but also office stories, friendship stories, and romance stories.
What differentiates it is that the heart of the show, in many ways, is the will-they-won’t-they between Jake’s character Mickey and Jane’s character Faye, as opposed to “Brooklyn,” where the heart of the show was really, in some ways, Jake and Holt and the ensemble as a whole.
This is kind of Mickey and Faye and the ensemble as a whole. And I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s a more mature relationship right off the bat, so it’s not a Jim-and-Pam sort of will-they-won’t-they. It’s a different type of will-they-won’t-they that’s a fun thing to play.
Will Sunset P.I. Cross Over With Brooklyn Nine-Nine?
TVLINE | Watching the pilot, you can’t help but think “Sunset P.I.” could exist in the same universe as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Have you and Luke entertained that possibility, or are these definitely separate worlds?
They’re definitely separate worlds. For one thing, Jake [Johnson] played Nick on “New Girl” and was on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” in the “New Girl” crossover.
TVLINE | Well, Damon Wayans Jr. played a different character [on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”], and he was in that crossover, too.
[Laughs] I think it will be impossible, is all I will say.
TVLINE | Whether or not they’re in the same universe, I imagine we’re going to see some familiar faces. Which, if any, “Nine-Nine” alumni do you have lined up for Season 1?
All I will say is we’re eager to have “Nine-Nine” people, and also “New Girl” people, and also just people from the larger comedy world.
“Sunset P.I.” will air Mondays starting in February on NBC, following the completion of “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” Season 2.
