Tom Selleck Says He Almost Turned Down Magnum, P.I. Over Original Script

Tom Selleck has revealed that he nearly rejected the lead role in Magnum, P.I. because he disliked the show's original script.

Speaking on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, the 81-year-old actor said the first version of the series portrayed Thomas Magnum as a flawless character with a Ferrari and two beautiful women, which he found uninteresting.

Selleck said actor James Garner advised him not to accept the role as written, telling him he had the most bargaining power before signing on. Following Garner's advice, Selleck refused the studio's initial offer despite being under contract.

After lengthy negotiations, the studio allowed Selleck to meet with three writers. He chose Donald P. Bellisario after telling him he wanted a character with flaws and heart, similar to Garner's role in The Rockford Files.

Bellisario rewrote the project, creating a version that Selleck described as the best TV movie script he had read at the time. Selleck went on to star in all eight seasons of Magnum, P.I., which aired on CBS from 1980 to 1988. A reboot starring Jay Hernandez later ran from 2018 to 2024.