“Magnum P.I. Showrunner Reveals Why Tom Selleck Didn’t Appear in the Reboot”
The recent conclusion of the Magnum P.I. reboot left fans yearning for one special moment: an appearance by Tom Selleck, the star of the original series. Showrunner Eric Guggenheim recently spoke with TVLine about why Selleck, who played the iconic Robin Masters, never made a cameo.
“We joked about that early on in the first season,” Guggenheim shared. “But we never really thought we could make it happen. It was fun to dream, though.”
In the original Magnum P.I., Robin Masters, a novelist who chronicled Magnum’s military exploits, was never seen but was voiced by Orson Welles. The reboot opted not to include any appearance or voice of Masters.
Despite not appearing, Selleck expressed his support for the new iteration. “We’ve been in touch with him, and he’s been really supportive,” said executive producer Peter Lenkov back in 2018. “Getting his blessing was crucial, and we feel lucky to have that.”
Magnum P.I. follows Thomas Magnum, portrayed by Jay Hernandez, a former Navy SEAL who returns home from Afghanistan and channels his military expertise into a career as a private investigator. A charming and resourceful hero, Magnum resides in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant. The show is a revival of the beloved classic series featuring Tom Selleck and includes a talented cast: Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang, and Amy Hill.
The reboot faced an unexpected cancellation in June 2023, following its initial revival by NBC after being dropped by CBS in 2022. The second cancellation surprised fans, particularly after NBC had committed to two additional seasons the previous summer. Speculation arose that the decision was influenced by industry strikes, as the cast’s options were set to expire, leading network executives to consider the financial implications of an extended wait for renewal.
