In a post-strike reshuffling of priorities, ABC has officially decided to cancel “The Rookie: Feds” after its first season. The fate of the freshman drama, led by Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone, hung in the balance for months, with the network delaying its decision during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, both of which have recently concluded.
Simone, portrayed by Nash-Betts, was a former guidance counselor pursuing her dream of becoming an FBI agent, making her the oldest rookie in the agency. Despite modest ratings, the show was trending positively, as reported by Deadline in May. The series also featured Frankie R. Faison, James Lesure, Britt Robertson, and Kevin Zegers in prominent roles.
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The cancellation decision aligns with ABC’s strategy to solidify its post-strike lineup. The network has also opted not to move forward with “The Good Lawyer,” a spinoff of “The Good Doctor,” starring Kennedy McMann and Felicity Huffman.
Both shows had been on hold since May as ABC assessed its needs post-strike. With actors and writers set to resume work, ABC now has a clearer schedule for the remaining 2023-24 broadcast season. The decision not to renew “The Rookie: Feds” comes as the network aims to streamline its programming lineup, with the recent announcement by Disney CEO Bob Iger of plans to cut an additional $2 billion in costs in the coming months, prioritizing cost-effective unscripted programming.
“The Rookie: Feds,” a co-production between Disney’s ABC Signature and Entertainment One, was created by Alexi Hawley and showrunner Terence Paul Winter. The cancellation of this series, along with “The Good Lawyer,” serves as the conclusion of ABC’s bubble shows following the earlier cancellation of “Home Economics” in September amid the extended labor unrest.
Production is expected to resume soon for both “The Rookie” and “The Good Doctor,” although ABC has not yet announced premiere dates for these shows. The decision to cancel these remaining bubble shows underscores the evolving landscape of television programming in the aftermath of industry-wide strikes and cost-cutting measures.