Austin Butler has been cast as James "Sonny" Crockett in the upcoming reboot of the iconic television series Miami Vice, taking on the role originally made famous by Don Johnson. Filming recently took place in New Jersey, where Butler was seen embodying the character’s distinctive 1980s style, including Crockett’s signature white suit paired with a mint-blue shirt and black Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. His slicked-back, dirty-blond hair completed the look.

Butler’s character will be joined by Michael B. Jordan, who will portray Crockett’s undercover partner, detective Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, a role first played by Philip Michael Thomas in the original series. Miami Vice, which aired on NBC from 1984 to 1989 over five seasons, was well known for its portrayal of gritty crime-fighting in glamorous Miami settings, drawing significant viewership both in the United States and internationally on networks such as BBC One.

The original series often featured high-profile guest appearances, including pop musician Phil Collins, who took on a cameo role during the show’s second season. A 2006 film adaptation starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell did not achieve the same level of acclaim or commercial success as the television series.

The forthcoming project, titled Miami Vice ’85 and directed by Joseph Kosinski—known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick—is scheduled for release in 2028. Butler, who recently received acclaim for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis, has spoken publicly about the personal challenges he faced after inhabiting the role of the legendary musician. This new series marks a return to the crime drama genre for Butler, offering a fresh take on a classic television franchise.