ABC is officially turning The Rookie into a full-fledged franchise again.
Just ahead of unveiling its 2026–27 schedule, the network has handed a series order to The Rookie: North, the new spinoff led by Jay Ellis. The drama is expected to receive a 10-episode first season and premiere during midseason.
Created by Alexi Hawley, the series expands the world of The Rookie beyond Los Angeles and into the Pacific Northwest, introducing a new rookie with a very different story to tell.
Per the official logline, Ellis stars as Alex Holland, a man who thought his midlife years “weren’t worthy of a crisis” until a violent home invasion pushes him toward a new purpose. He joins the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie, navigating everything from urban coastlines to remote forest terrain where backup isn’t always minutes away. Along the way, Alex must prove himself not only to his training officer and fellow rookies, but also to himself.
The cast also includes Chris Sullivan, Karen Fukuhara, Froy Gutierrez, Janet Montgomery, Mya Lowe, and Malik Watson.
Fans of the original series can also expect crossover moments. According to reports, Nathan Fillion will appear in the pilot as John Nolan, helping connect the new series to the flagship drama. Fillion also executive produces both shows.
This marks the second spinoff in The Rookie universe following The Rookie: Feds, led by Niecy Nash-Betts, which aired for one season before being canceled in 2023.
Unlike The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds, which were both based in Los Angeles, The Rookie: North shifts the action to the Pacific Northwest and will film in Vancouver. Hawley has already teased that crossover episodes are still part of the plan, though they may happen less frequently because of the distance between the two series’ locations.
The pickup also continues ABC’s aggressive investment in scripted programming. The network has already renewed nearly all of its major dramas and comedies, including Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1, Will Trent, High Potential, and Abbott Elementary.
With The Rookie heading into Season 9 and now another spinoff entering the mix, ABC clearly believes the franchise still has plenty of gas left in the tank.