ABC is doubling down on its drama slate, officially renewing two of its most-watched veteran series — The Rookie and Will Trent — for the 2026–27 broadcast season.
The renewals secure a ninth season for The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillion, and a fifth season for Will Trent, led by Ramón Rodríguez.
Both series continue to be strong performers for ABC, averaging more than 8 million viewers per episode across linear and streaming platforms, including Hulu. Each also ranks among the top 15 network entertainment series among adults 18–49, with The Rookie seeing a significant boost from streaming — often multiplying its live viewership several times over.
ABC’s Scripted Slate Grows
The two renewals join a robust ABC lineup that includes Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, and High Potential for the upcoming season.
ABC has also ordered a pilot for a spinoff titled The Rookie: North, starring Jay Ellis as the oldest rookie in a Washington state police department.
Behind the Success of ‘The Rookie’
Produced by Lionsgate Television in association with 20th Television, The Rookie continues to benefit from its ensemble cast, which includes Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, Jenna Dewan, Shawn Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez, and Deric Augustine.
The series, created by Alexi Hawley, has become one of ABC’s most resilient hits, bolstered by strong streaming performance, viral popularity among younger audiences, and cost-efficient production in Los Angeles.
‘Will Trent’ Continues Its Growth
Based on Karin Slaughter’s bestselling novels, Will Trent follows Special Agent Will Trent as he navigates complex cases within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Alongside Rodríguez, the series stars Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, Jake McLaughlin, Kevin Daniels, and Sonja Sohn.
The drama continues to be ABC’s top linear performer in Live+Same Day viewing, with Season 4 marking its strongest performance to date.