ABC has officially renewed its hit police drama The Rookie for Season 8, much to the excitement of fans. The upcoming season is expected to consist of 18 episodes, mirroring the length of Season 7. However, viewers will need to be patient, as The Rookie will not return with new episodes in Fall 2025.
Midseason Premiere Set for 2026
Instead of airing in the fall, The Rookie will return as part of ABC’s midseason lineup. New episodes are expected to premiere in January 2026, alongside other returning shows such as Will Trent. Season 7 wrapped up on May 13, 2025, and the series is now officially on hiatus until the new year.
In the meantime, fans can catch up on all previous episodes via streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+, which offer full access to the show’s back catalog.
What to Expect in Season 8
Season 8 will continue the story of John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion, now serving as a training officer. Several major plotlines from the Season 7 finale will carry over, including:
- The uncertain fate of recurring antagonist Oscar, played by Matthew Glave.
- The future of Monica (Bridget Regan), who remains entangled in criminal activity.
- The evolving relationship between Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), a storyline fans affectionately call “Chenford.”
Series creator Alexi Hawley has hinted that Season 8 will bring closure to several of these arcs while introducing fresh developments to keep the show engaging.
Confirmed and Potential Returning Cast
In addition to Nathan Fillion, the returning cast is expected to include:
- Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen
- Eric Winter as Tim Bradford
- Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper
- Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez
- Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Wade Grey
- Jenna Dewan as Bailey
- Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez
- Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers
There are also rumors that comedian Pete Davidson may reprise his guest role as Nolan’s half-brother.
How to Stay Updated
While waiting for Season 8, viewers are encouraged to revisit previous episodes to refresh their memory of key storylines. ABC is expected to release a full midseason schedule later this year, confirming the exact premiere date and episode details.
In Summary:
- The Rookie Season 8 is officially happening.
- It will not air in Fall 2025, but return midseason in January 2026.
- Major plotlines and character arcs from Season 7 will continue.
- The full main cast is expected to return, with possible guest surprises.
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Episodes are available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in the meantime.
