The Rookie season 7 is as entertaining as ever, and fans are enjoying tuning in each week to see more of John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) story as an LAPD officer. His relationship with Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) and friendship with coworkers Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) keep viewers coming back for more, along with the intense cases that happen in every episode.
While fans hoped to watch Fillion on a Firefly reboot, they’ve gotten plenty of chances to see the actor on the big and small screen, including a memorable character in Deadpool & Wolverine. Fillion also does a great job as John Nolan on The Rookie, and The Rookie season 7, episode 13 is coming up. The episode features the balance of fast-paced adventure and personal drama that fans have come to expect from the ABC drama.
If fans miss any episodes of The Rookie season 7, they can stream them the following day on Hulu. So, fans can stream The Rookie season 7, episode 13 on Hulu on Wednesday April 9th, 2025. They can also catch up on The Rookie seasons 1 through 6 on the streaming platform, which also includes horror movies such as Late Night with the Devil and seasons 1 and 2 of the entertaining and creepy Goosebumps reboot.
In the previous episode, The Rookie season 7 episode 12, “April Fools,” Nolan works with a rookie named Connor Craig, which causes problems since Connor isn’t up to the job. Although the procedural series has a funny tone, each episode deals with serious topics. That is definitely the case with the upcoming episode. The official plot description for The Rookie season 7, episode 13 reads:
“When anti-LAPD billboards emerge throughout the city, the team searches for who’s responsible. Meanwhile, a car bombing prompts an investigation, Miles reconnects with an old friend, and John and Bailey assess their ability to adopt.”
The combination of personal and professional stories is what makes The Rookie such a popular series, and it looks like The Rookie season 7, episode 13 will include that balance. As Nolan and his co-workers are searching for whoever put up those billboards, Nolan and Bailey’s hope to become parents is also front and center.
Like Ryan Murphy’s procedural dramas 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Rookie season 7 has been action-packed. While each episode has featured wild cases, such in episode 6 “The Gala” when a woman tells the cops that her ex-partner has a tiger, there is also a focus on Nolan and Bailey’s relationship. One of the most memorable plotlines is when Bailey and Nolan bond even more when she talks to him about her dangerous relationship with Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee) in episode 7 “The Mickey.” Other season 7 storylines include a Los Angeles wildfire and the team wondering if Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher) really has cancer.
However, no matter how much personal conflict Nolan is dealing with, he’s always committed to helping people. In The Rookie season 7 premiere, he jumps on a scooter to find a suspect. It’s as exciting as a scene featuring a beloved action hero. In an interview with TV Insider, Nathan Fillion explained he always wanted to do that. Fillion said:
“I was kind of surprised at how fast they go. I wasn’t really prepared for that. I was not wearing a helmet. I tend not to get on a vehicle that requires balance, A, without a helmet and B, at any speed faster than I’m comfortable falling off of it…”
He continued:
“It seems easy, but you’re trying not to actually hurt somebody and you’re trying not to actually get hurt all at the same time. But it was nice to finally be able to do it. I’m telling you, I’ve been pitching that one for ages.”
Will Fans Get To Watch The Rookie Season 8?
Bailey (Jenna Dewan) and Nolan (Nathan Fillion) on The Rookie
On April 3rd, 2025, Deadline reported that The Rookie was renewed for season 8. According to Deadline, ABC renewed several shows including Will Trent, the Ryan Murphy procedural series 9-1-1, and the popular hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy.
The Rookie season 7 has had great ratings, which explains the decision to bring it back for another season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the episode that aired on March 25th, 2025 got great ratings on streaming and on ABC. Over 70% of the 18-49 rating and 43% of the audience (3.57 million viewers) was from streaming. The episode also had a total viewership of 8.25 million.
