The cast of The Rookie is embracing the show’s latest scheduling shake-up with humor and optimism, joking that “Mondays are the new Tuesdays” as the ABC hit drama settles into its new release night. While network time-slot changes can sometimes signal uncertainty, the tone from the cast suggests the opposite—confidence that the series is strong enough to succeed wherever it airs.
For years, The Rookie built a loyal viewing habit among fans who tuned in on its previous night. Changing that routine is always a risk, but cast members have framed the move as a fresh start rather than a disruption. By leaning into the phrase “Mondays are the new Tuesdays,” they’re signaling excitement about reaching audiences at the start of the week, when viewers are often looking for reliable, high-quality entertainment after the weekend.
Behind the scenes, scheduling moves like this are usually strategic rather than reactive. ABC appears to be positioning The Rookie as a cornerstone show to help strengthen its Monday lineup. Established procedurals are often used this way because they attract broad audiences and maintain steady ratings across multiple viewing platforms, including streaming and delayed viewing.
For the actors, the move also represents longevity. Very few network dramas last long enough to be shifted around the schedule multiple times. When it happens, it often means the network sees the show as valuable enough to help anchor different parts of the weekly lineup. That kind of trust from a network is something many shows never achieve.
Fans have had mixed emotional reactions—some nostalgic about the old schedule, others excited about starting the week with new episodes. However, modern viewing habits soften the impact. With next-day streaming widely available, many viewers now watch on their own schedule rather than strictly following live broadcast times.
Industry watchers note that long-running procedural dramas like The Rookie are uniquely built for moves like this. Because episodes often balance standalone cases with ongoing character development, new viewers can jump in without feeling lost. That accessibility gives the show a strong chance of maintaining—or even growing—its audience in a new time slot.
Ultimately, the cast’s lighthearted message reflects a bigger reality: The Rookie isn’t slowing down. If anything, the scheduling change shows ABC still sees the series as a key player in its primetime strategy. And if the cast is right, fans may soon find themselves thinking the same thing—Mondays really might be the new Tuesdays.
