After seven seasons set almost entirely against the backdrop of Los Angeles, The Rookie has taken a brief detour to Europe. The ABC police drama, headlined by Nathan Fillion as Officer John Nolan, filmed scenes for its upcoming eighth season in Prague over the weekend and early this week. The Czech shoot marks the first time the production has filmed outside the United States.
Filming for The Rookie in Prague took place at several locations, including the historic Invalidovna complex in Prague 8 and areas of the city center in Old Town, including in and around Jan Palach Square. According to local sources, the location shoot spanned only a limited number of days. The Prague production was coordinated by Czech production company Stillking Films, which has a long track record of supporting major international shoots in the region.
A brief overseas detour for a Los Angeles-based series
The international shoot comes as something of a surprise for a series rooted in the rhythms of the Los Angeles Police Department. Since its debut in 2018, The Rookie has remained firmly planted in Southern California, both narratively and logistically. The Prague shoot, which was confirmed through behind-the-scenes content shared by cast member Jenna Dewan, signals a rare geographic shift.
Dewan, who plays firefighter Bailey Nune on the series, shared photos and video from Prague on Instagram, expressing her excitement about the location: “Prague is absolutely stunning,” she wrote. Though it remains unclear how prominently the Czech capital will feature in the final cut, the show’s creative team appears to be using the European setting to offer a change of pace.
According to local intel, series star Nathan Fillion and Bridget Regan, who plays corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens, were also in Prague for local production. Scenes shot at Jan Palach Square reportedly used the Rudolfinum concert hall exterior as a hotel entrance. In a season already anticipated to explore new directions for several characters, the brief excursion could serve as either a personal getaway or the setup for an international plotline.
Given the locations in Prague’s city center utilized for filming, it’s likely that the Czech capital is playing itself in the series rather than standing in for another locale. In any case, the change of scenery suggests the show is looking to keep things fresh as it heads into its eighth season.
Season 8 promises major developments and returning faces
The overseas filming comes amid a period of growth and transition for The Rookie, which has become one of ABC’s most successful dramas. After averaging more than 11 million viewers across linear and streaming platforms in season 7, the series was officially renewed for season 8 and will return in early 2026.
Season 7 ended on several cliffhangers, most notably the unresolved romantic tension between officers Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), affectionately dubbed “Chenford” by fans.
In addition to further developments in that storyline, season 8 is expected to revisit key antagonists, including Oscar (Matthew Glave) and Monica (Bridget Regan), both of whom escaped justice in the season 7 finale. Showrunner Alexi Hawley has confirmed that these characters will return, promising more twists and resolutions to long-running arcs.
Lead actor Fillion returns as John Nolan, now a training officer, alongside a core ensemble that includes Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Shawn Ashmore, Mekia Cox, and Lisseth Chavez. While there’s no official word on whether new characters will be introduced in season eight, the series continues to evolve its cast and dynamics as it approaches its 100th episode milestone.
The midseason return also follows a strategic pattern. ABC has increasingly relied on The Rookie as a winter anchor, scheduling it in a slot that allows for a straight run of episodes without interruptions. According to Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich, the uninterrupted format has helped boost ratings and maintain momentum with viewers.
As The Rookie gears up for season 8, the brief stint in Prague hints at an expansion of its storytelling horizons. Whether the Czech locations play a key role or serve as a brief backdrop for a transitional subplot, the decision to shoot internationally for the first time reflects the series’ growing ambition.
