The next spinoff of The Rookie gets a big update from creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley. It was reported this past December that a new spinoff of The Rookie was being developed by ABC, 20th Television, and Lionsgate Television. The second spinoff of the police procedural, after the cancellation of The Rookie: Feds, is from franchise creator Alexi Hawley.
What To Know About The Rookie Spinoff
It Will Follow The Original
The Rookie North is described as a “formidable prospect” to get picked up. It hails from Hawley, who executive produces alongside The Rookie’s Nathan Fillion, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Champman. Since it was first reported in December, the project has evolved. It will now more closely follow the original Rookie.
The new spinoff is set in Washington state, following a character that’s named Alex. A former overachiever, Alex becomes a rookie cop after his life does not go as planned. The potential series will also feature training officers and other rookies, in addition to a police chief, in an echo of The Rookie’s characters. If the project does move forward, it will signal ABC’s growing reliance on franchises.
The network also has 9-1-1: Nashville, which is debuting later this year as the second spinoff of the first-responder drama 9-1-1. Co-created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, the Nashville offshoot comes after the successful 9-1-1: Lone Star. It ran for five seasons, ending earlier this year, after negotiations between the network and studio fell through.
Our Take On The New Rookie Spinoff
Second Time’s The Charm
Heading into The Rookie season 8, the show is actually in a fairly unique situation. Reports indicate that it has actually grown its audience on streaming, which is backed up by the fact that the show popped up on Nielsen’s weekly Top 10 list of streaming hits. It may be the case that the light dramedy is getting a whole new cohort of fans.
It may be that the main show’s characters are a key draw. Or, alternatively, it could be that the premise’s success could be repeated with enough time and the right casting. The Rookie North will test that theory.
