ABC is expanding The Rookie franchise with a new spinoff from series creator Alexi Hawley. This untitled series will be set in Washington state, focusing on a male police officer navigating a significant life transition. Hawley will write and executive produce alongside The Rookie star Nathan Fillion, Michelle Chapman, and Bill Norcross.
The project is being co-produced by Lionsgate Television and 20th Television. Lionsgate took over the series following its acquisition of eOne in late 2023, while 20th Television absorbed ABC Signature during Disney’s restructuring earlier this year. This move marks the franchise’s continued evolution as a collaborative effort between top studios.
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This development follows the first spinoff, The Rookie: Feds, which introduced Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, the oldest rookie at the FBI Academy. The Rookie: Feds premiered in September 2022 but was canceled after just one season in May 2023, concluding its run in November. While short-lived, the series expanded the franchise’s universe and showcased a fresh perspective on law enforcement.
The Rookie itself remains a strong performer for ABC. Heading into its seventh season, which premieres on January 7, 2025, the show has consistently delivered for the network and continues to thrive on Hulu. Since its 2018 debut, the procedural drama has amassed over 500 million viewing hours on the streaming platform, drawing in younger audiences and solidifying its reputation as a long-running hit.
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The main cast of The Rookie includes Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune, Tru Valentino as Aaron Thorsen, and Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez. These characters have brought a range of stories to life, exploring personal growth, complex cases, and the challenges of law enforcement.
With the new spinoff, ABC aims to revisit themes of personal reinvention and midlife transitions that have been central to The Rookie’s success. If the series moves forward, it could solidify The Rookie franchise as a cornerstone of ABC’s programming slate while offering a fresh narrative direction.