After seven seasons grounded in the streets of Los Angeles, ABC’s The Rookie is stepping onto the international stage with a brief shoot in Prague. Series lead Nathan Fillion recently opened up about filming the season 8 premiere in Prague, describing the experience as cinematic and atmospheric—drawing comparisons to a James Bond film.
The actor, who plays Officer John Nolan in the series and also stars as Green Lantern in the just-released Superman, made the comments during a July 7 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he discussed filming part of the new season in the Czech capital. “It felt like I was shooting Casino Royale,” Fillion told guest host Anthony Anderson. “I’m in a suit, you’re walking down these incredible streets. I love the history—there’s so much history.”
Production for The Rookie season 8 kicked off in Prague in June, marking the first time the series has filmed outside the United States. While the show has traditionally depicted the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Police Department, the Prague shoot represents a rare shift in geography—and tone.
“We went off to Prague to shoot a portion of the premiere episode of season 8,” Fillion told Anderson. “I love the history. This building was built in the 1400s, but behind it are the old buildings.”
Scenes for the upcoming season were shot at the Invalidovna complex in Prague 8 and throughout Old Town, including Jan Palach Square and the Rudolfinum concert hall. The local production was coordinated by Stillking Films, a seasoned partner for international shoots in Central Europe. The brief overseas shoot, which spanned only a few days, featured core cast members including Fillion, Bridget Regan (Monica Stevens), and Jenna Dewan (Bailey Nune).
Dewan shared photos from the set on Instagram, calling Prague “absolutely stunning,” while Fillion highlighted the city’s architecture and historic atmosphere. He referenced the Astronomical Clock and its dark folklore, noting, “They said after the fella made it, they went and burned out his eyes… so he would never make anything so beautiful again. These were tough times.”
While full plot details for season 8 remain under wraps, behind-the-scenes material suggests the storyline picks up in Europe following events from the season 7 finale. Characters including Monica Stevens and Matt Garza (from The Rookie: Feds) join Nolan and the LAPD team in Prague, likely pursuing an international criminal plot thread left open in the previous season.
Fillion’s Casino Royale remark hints at a stylistic shift, at least temporarily. The show’s police procedural roots appear to be incorporating elements of espionage and international intrigue. The narrative is expected to continue the arc involving Monica Stevens, who brokered a deal for immunity and may now be at the center of a transatlantic manhunt.
The choice to begin the season abroad also signals a strong vote of confidence from ABC. Overseas filming for network television remains uncommon due to cost and logistical complexity, and using Prague as a launch point for season 8 reflects a willingness to invest in the show’s continued evolution.
The Rookie has consistently performed well for the network, averaging over 11 million viewers across platforms in season 7. The series was renewed for an 18-episode eighth season set to premiere in early 2026, with ABC planning to air the season in an uninterrupted weekly run.
Longtime showrunner Alexi Hawley has promised the return of key antagonists, including Monica and Oscar (Matthew Glave), and teased further developments in the ongoing romance between Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter). As the series approaches its 100th episode, its creators appear eager to expand its world and storytelling possibilities.
