‘White Collar’ Reboot: Everything About Matt Bomer-Approved Return (Aug 2024)

The Netflix-inspired Suits and Dexter spin-offs have shown that successful streaming series can delight fans craving more of their favorite characters. Procedural and legal series often excel in this domain, making it no surprise that White Collar fans are eager for a reboot of the beloved USA Network series.

The Matt Bomer-starring series concluded in 2014, and about a decade later, discussions about a potential reboot began heating up in June. Series creator Jeff Eastin, along with three of the show’s stars, expressed their interest in reuniting for a new season. Now, a few months later, efforts to bring White Collar back are gaining momentum, echoing the success of Suits.

White Collar enjoyed six successful seasons, following the charming thief Neal Caffrey (Bomer) as he transitioned into a criminal informant for FBI Special Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). Bomer’s seamless portrayal of a dual-identity character who excelled at wearing suits and charming people wasn’t as effortless as it seemed. Recently, Bomer shared insights into his role with Netflix in a promotional video aimed at reviving interest in the show, showcasing the meticulous effort behind his character’s suave demeanor.

The cast also featured Tiffani Thiessen as Peter’s wife, Elizabeth Burke, and Hilarie Burton as Neal’s love interest, an insurance agent. On the law enforcement side, Natalie Morales played Agent Lauren Cruz, Marsha Thomason portrayed Agent Diana Berrigan, and Sharif Atkins took on the role of Clinton Jones. The late Willie Garson joined the cast as Neal’s shady friend Mozzie, who also worked as an informer.

Regarding the reboot’s plot, a pilot script has already been penned by co-creator Jeff Eastin. Although specific details remain under wraps, DeKay and Thiessen hinted that the script honors Willie Garson in a “profound way.” Thiessen also expressed her excitement about the possibility of reuniting with her fellow cast members, citing the show as one of her career highlights.

At a Variety-hosted panel in June 2024, Bomer, DeKay, and Thiessen confirmed their interest in returning for more episodes after reading the pilot script. Bomer enthusiastically declared, “I’m in!” while Jeff Eastin confidently stated, “we’re gonna reboot.”

As of late August, Bomer remains optimistic about the reboot. He shared with PEOPLE that the script offers a “really intelligent, fun, organic way to bring all the characters back together,” paying tribute to cast members like Willie Garson and Diahann Carroll. Bomer emphasized that this approach is designed to delight fans who enjoyed the original series.

“It’s a really intelligent, fun, organic way to bring all the characters back together to pay tribute to Willie Garson, Diahann Carroll and folks we’ve lost since the show ended, which was really important to me. It’s something that if you enjoyed the show, you really will have a good time watching it.”

Bomer added, “We worked long hours on that show, and it never felt like work. It was just such a fun, free, open environment and a great place to just create and explore the characters.” Tiffani Thiessen echoed this sentiment in a recent interview with Popculture, stating that White Collar remains one of her top professional experiences. She affirmed her willingness to return, saying, “[O]ut of over 40 years in this business, it is one of the top cast and crew and shows that I’ve done that I would absolutely, if they asked me to come back and do again, that I would say yes in a heartbeat.”

Matt Bomer, Tiffani Thiessen, and Tim DeKay have all expressed interest in the reboot, with Bomer and Thiessen actively campaigning for it. While these are the only confirmed names so far, other original cast members are expected to follow suit.

Given how quickly Suits inspired NBCUniversal to develop a Suits: LA spin-off, which will premiere within a year of its greenlight, White Collar appears poised for an efficient timeline. With a pilot script already in place and most of the original cast eager to participate, the reboot could potentially arrive by 2025.

While no trailer exists yet, fans of White Collar can look back on past discussions, including a 13-year-old Paley Center For Media panel featuring Willie Garson and other cast members, who expressed their deep dedication to creating quality television.

Source: Variety, PEOPLE, Popculture