There’s no doubt that the new Magnum, P.I. reboot is going to be under a microscope when it premieres on September 24. A lot of fans are curious, and let’s face it, some might even be a little skeptical. After all, the original series with Tom Selleck was a cultural phenomenon from 1980 to 1988. The pressure is real for everyone involved, especially actor Jay Hernandez, who's stepping into the iconic role of Thomas Magnum. But Jay’s not just jumping into this blindly—he’s bringing his own flavor to the character while paying homage to what made the original so beloved.
From Selleck to Hernandez: The Weight of Expectations
“It’s a surreal experience,” Jay admits with a laugh during an interview at San Diego Comic-Con. “I watched an episode of the original Magnum, P.I. about a month or two before we started filming. There's a scene where Tom Selleck's character is surfing in the bay in Hawaii. Two months later, I'm doing that exact same thing. But when I watched the original, I had no idea this opportunity would come my way. And when I told my mom I was doing Magnum, P.I., she was secretly hoping Tom Selleck would still be Magnum.” Jay shakes his head, jokingly acting disappointed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom.”
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Let’s be real, stepping into the shoes of a character like Magnum is no small feat. Jay was feeling the pressure before stepping onto the set. “There was definitely a sense of trepidation,” Jay explains. “And let’s not sugarcoat it—there was some intimidation too. You want to get it right. Tom Selleck made the red Ferrari iconic. The show aired in over 150 countries, so it’s one of those properties that people are super aware of. Stepping into an iconic role—think about the Joker or Batman—there’s always going to be built-in criticism, no matter who they cast. That’s just the nature of people, especially on social media. Everyone has their own idea of what the characters should be or how casting decisions should go. But my job is to win everybody over. Once I got there, I started to feel comfortable. Just being in the clothes, being in Hawaii, and getting into that mindset—it all felt natural to me.”
A Career Spanning Two Decades
Jay Hernandez isn’t new to the entertainment world. Born Javier Manuel “Jay” Hernandez on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California, he started his career as Antonio Lopez on NBC’s Hang Time from 1998 to 2000. Since then, he’s made recurring and guest appearances in shows like Six Degrees, Last Resort, Nashville, and co-starred in season seven of Scandal. On the big screen, he’s starred in Friday Night Lights, Hostel, American Son, Quarantine, Suicide Squad, A Bad Mom’s Christmas, and Bright. Magnum, P.I. could very well be his biggest role yet.
A Modern Take on a Classic Character
The reboot centers around Thomas Magnum, a highly decorated veteran from Afghanistan who served as a Navy SEAL. Upon returning home, he uses his military skills to become a private investigator. He's described as a "charming rogue, an American hero, and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan." Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, a luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business. Juliet Higgins (played by Perdita Weeks), a beautiful and commanding former MI6 agent, manages the property and keeps Magnum in check—with the help of her two Dobermans. Produced by the creators of Hawaii 5-0, the show promises a crossover at some point.
One of the biggest challenges Jay faces is capturing the levity that Tom brought to the character. “Tom had this unique ability to balance intense action scenes with moments of charm and wit,” Jay explains. “You have scenes where people are getting shot at or hit by a
