There’s a certain magic in the air at NBC this month, and it’s not just because Daniel Radcliffe—yes, the Harry Potter himself—is returning to network television. On February 23, 2026, viewers will be treated to the debut of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, a sitcom that’s already generating buzz for its sharp wit, star-studded cast, and timely themes. At its heart, the show follows disgraced football star Reggie Dinkins, played by Tracy Morgan, as he attempts to rebuild his reputation with the help of an eccentric documentary filmmaker, Arthur Tobin, portrayed by Radcliffe. But as the cast and creators reveal, there’s much more to this comedy than meets the eye.
For Precious Way, who stars as Brina—Reggie’s new girlfriend—the project was both a professional milestone and a personal adventure. Speaking to PEOPLE on February 18, 2026, Way admitted she was a bundle of nerves at the first table read, especially upon seeing Radcliffe. “I’m not going to lie. The other ones, they probably try to front, but I definitely had my Harry Potter moment,” she confessed. “I called my manager, I said, ‘Y’all didn’t tell me I was going to be on a show with Harry Potter!’ And then I remember the first thing when I walked into the table read, I was nervous.”
Those jitters didn’t last long. Way quickly found herself charmed by Radcliffe’s down-to-earth personality and surprising curiosity about her life off-screen. “I told Daniel some of my tea, because I thought, ‘Oh, he doesn’t care. He’s not interested in my business and the silly things that I do.’ Oh, I was wrong. He was so entertained. He ate it up,” she revealed. In fact, Radcliffe’s enthusiasm for her stories became an ongoing joke between them. “He comes back to me, and he’s like, ‘You remember that thing you said? I researched it.’” Way laughed, adding, “It backfired on me. But also, now, I live for telling him my tea. I did not know that’s the way it was going to go, but he ate it up.”
Radcliffe’s interest didn’t stop at idle gossip. According to Way, he even weighed in on her romantic prospects. “He’s pulling up the pictures. He’s like, ‘I don’t know. You could do a little better.’ What?!” she recalled, still incredulous. “Oh my goodness. I love him, though. I didn’t know it was going to go that way, but I love it.”
Of course, the camaraderie on set extended beyond tea and teasing. Tracy Morgan, who not only stars as Reggie Dinkins but also serves as executive producer, described the series as “funny, clever, and relevant.” In an interview with The Nerds of Color, Morgan explained, “The premise is clever, and it’s relevant. It’s happening now. With all the gambling scandals and all of that going on, [the cancel culture]. We’re up against all of that, and we’re winning. We’re older now, but we’re winning.”
That sense of resilience and second chances is woven into the fabric of the show—and the cast’s own experiences. Erika Alexander, who plays Monica Reese-Dinkins, reflected on her return to network comedy after decades in the industry. “This is my second time back on network TV comedy, and I always thought I deserved a second chance,” Alexander shared. “Here I am on NBC. To come around after, what now, 30-something years, and actually find myself on a network TV show with top actors, top writers, and performers, that’s a second chance, and I don’t take it for granted.”
Radcliffe, too, knows a thing or two about second chances. He credited Dame Maggie Smith with helping him land his iconic role as Harry Potter—a twist of fate that shaped his entire career. “A person who gave me a second chance after working with me once was Maggie Smith, and that is the reason that I got Harry Potter,” Radcliffe said. “So, in no small part, because I had done David Copperfield with her, and that was my first job, and then she was cast in Harry Potter, and she was like, ‘You should look at this kid.’ Then my parents said, ‘No, absolutely not,’ for a few months, because at that point, it was gonna be filmed in L.A., and you had to sign on for 10 years, and then it all changed. But yeah, so Maggie Smith, I definitely wouldn’t be here without her and that.”
The ensemble cast also features Bobby Moynihan as Rusty Boyd and Jalyn Hall in a supporting role. Moynihan, a veteran of sketch and sitcom comedy, relished the opportunity to break the fourth wall in the show’s mockumentary format. “It’s fun to shoot a fake documentary because you finish a funny line, and then you look directly at the camera and essentially go, do you agree with me, audience? It’s very cool, it feels like you’re bringing the audience in on the comedy. It feels like another character in the show. I really enjoy doing it.”
The official logline for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins sets the stage: “Disgraced former football star Reggie Dinkins (Morgan) is on a mission to rehabilitate his image with the help of award-winning filmmaker Arthur Tobin (Radcliffe). But in order to earn back the admiration of his fans and the respect of his family, Reggie will also have to confront the ghosts of his past.” It’s a premise that promises both laughs and heartfelt moments, as Reggie navigates the pitfalls of fame, family, and forgiveness.
The show’s premiere is set for February 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with an encore of the pilot followed by a new episode at 8:30 p.m. Subsequent episodes will air Mondays at 8:30 p.m., and for those who prefer to stream, each episode will be available the following day on Peacock. Alongside the main cast, Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, and Jalyn Hall round out the roster, bringing a blend of comedic and dramatic chops to the ensemble.
While the sitcom’s humor is front and center, its themes resonate with the realities of today’s celebrity culture—think redemption arcs, social media scrutiny, and the ever-present specter of cancel culture. As Morgan noted, “We’re up against all of that, and we’re winning.” The show doesn’t shy away from referencing current scandals, like gambling controversies, making it feel as if it’s ripped straight from the headlines.
For fans of comedy, sports, and a little bit of Hollywood magic, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins offers a unique blend of all three. The chemistry among the cast, especially the unexpected friendship between Way and Radcliffe, adds a layer of authenticity that’s sure to charm viewers. And with its clever writing, timely subject matter, and top-tier performances, NBC seems poised to have a hit on its hands.
As the series prepares to make its debut, the excitement among cast and crew is palpable. For Precious Way, it’s a dream come true; for Tracy Morgan, a chance to prove that comedy can tackle even the toughest topics; and for Daniel Radcliffe, yet another opportunity to surprise audiences and himself. As the curtain rises on Reggie Dinkins’ comeback, one thing’s for sure—viewers won’t want to miss a minute.