Ladies and gentlemen, prepare your donuts once again —The Rookie isn’t slowing down any time soon. With an eighth season already in production, ABC is eyeing another expansion of its hit franchise, this time with a brand-new spin-off titled The Rookie North. Speaking with Deadline about the project, creator Alexi Hawley finally offered a status update: “What can I share? We’re aiming to shoot a pilot at some point in Spring or late Winter, so we’re gearing up for that at the moment. That’s what I can share.” While still early in development, it’s a clear signal that ABC, 20th Television, and Lionsgate Television are eager to keep the Rookie-verse alive.
First reported back in December 2024, The Rookie North has been described as a sister series to Nathan Fillion’s long-running drama. Set in Washington (the state in the Pacific Northwest, not D.C.), the spin-off follows a new character, currently named Alex, “a former overachiever who becomes a rookie cop after his life did not go as planned.” Much like the original series, audiences can expect a lineup of rookies, training officers, and a police chief to flesh out the crew.
What’s Next for ‘The Rookie’?
Should the series get the greenlight, it’ll be the franchise’s second spin-off after The Rookie: Feds in 2023, which didn’t make it past its first season. But given the enduring popularity of The Rookie, which continues to pull strong numbers on ABC and Hulu, optimism around The Rookie North seems much stronger, so let’s hope for good news by the time the pilot reaches the executives.
While we wait to find out if ABC goes through with The Rookie North, audiences at least know they can be thrilled about the future, as an eighth season of The Rookie is already in production. There are several upcoming storylines to look forward to as we barrel towards a mid-season premiere. Notorious characters such as Monica Stevenson (Bridget Regan) and Matthew Glave’s Oscar Hutchinson, will be returning to continue their villainous streaks. On the political side of things, ADA Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) could potentially see himself in the race for District Attorney even as we begin to see some tangible progress emerge with Chenford.
The Rookie Season 8 is currently in production with a premiere window scheduled for mid-season. As always, stay tuned for updates. Past episodes are available to stream on Hulu.
