Robert De Niro, long celebrated for his iconic gangster characters in crime films, is embarking on a noticeably different path with his latest Robert De Niro crime role. Set to premiere on Netflix in 2026, his new project places him as a former police detective, signaling a shift away from his traditional villainous portrayals.
De Niro to Star as Retired Detective in Netflix’s The Whisper Man
The upcoming thriller The Whisper Man, produced by the Russo brothers, has been in development since 2018 after they acquired rights to Alex North’s novel. Netflix joined the production in 2022, and filming wrapped in spring 2025. De Niro’s casting, announced just months prior to filming, reveals his role as the distant father of Adam Scott’s protagonist, a crime writer whose son goes missing.
In the story, De Niro’s character—named Pete Willis—is a retired police detective with a history tied to the infamous Whisper Man murders in Featherbank. Despite his estrangement from his son, Tom Kennedy, Willis’ investigative expertise becomes crucial in the search for his kidnapped grandson.
De Niro Embraces Roles as Law Enforcement Figures
Although De Niro’s six-decade career has been defined by portrayals of mobsters and criminals, his part in The Whisper Man marks a growing trend of playing law enforcers. This trend began with his role as George Mullen, a former U.S. president investigating a terrorism event in the Netflix series Zero Day, and continued with Emmanuel Ashburn, a government operative working to thwart a cult leader in Tin Soldier.
Collectively, these roles—Mullen, Ashburn, and now Pete Willis—indicate a conscious move towards depicting veteran figures on the side of law and order. While De Niro may not completely abandon his storied history of playing mafia figures, these parts suggest a reduction in such roles moving forward.
Upcoming Television Projects Point to Continued Focus on the Small Screen
Following his initial venture into television dramas with Zero Day, De Niro appears committed to more small-screen work. He has additional TV projects planned for 2027, including starring in Bobby Meritorious on Paramount+ as a former police officer turned prosecutor. He is also set to headline and executive produce the Entertainment One crime series Mr. Natural. Both projects are still in development but are expected to begin production next year.
With this new direction, Robert De Niro seems intent on reinventing himself from the actor known for his gritty big-screen crime roles to one who portrays complex law enforcement characters in television dramas during the later stage of his career.
“He’s set to play the estranged father of Adam Scott’s crime writer protagonist, who calls on De Niro’s character when his eight-year-old son is kidnapped.” ?Source
“Pete Willis is a retired police detective whose experience investigating the so-called Whisper Man murders in Featherbank make him the perfect person to search for his grandson.” ?Source
“Between them, Zero Day, Tin Soldier and The Whisper Man seem to confirm that Robert De Niro’s new career path primarily involves screen performances as veteran law enforcers, rather than hardened criminals.” ?Source
“He’ll be playing the title role in the Entertainment One crime series Mr. Natural, as well as serving as executive producer.” ?Source
