ABC is developing another spinoff of The Rookie, but it’ll be a while before any significant progress is made, which is a good thing. The police procedural series has, obviously, been quite a success for the network. It’s going on eight seasons, after all. So, it’s not surprising that ABC has another offshoot in the works, even though its first one failed.
After ABC canceled The Rookie: Feds after only one season, the network is going back to the drawing board. The executives and producers clearly want to expand The Rookie’s universe successfully, and the first spinoff wasn’t able to meet expectations. As such, ABC is seemingly taking its time with the upcoming series, titled The Rookie North, including delaying filming its pilot.
The Rookie North Is Reportedly Delaying Pilot Filming Until More Actors Are Available
The Spinoff’s Cast Hasn’t Been Finalized
Not much is known about The Rookie North, aside from its setting and basic premise. It will take place in Washington state (presumably in Seattle) and follow a middle-aged man becoming a police officer following a midlife crisis, just like in the original series. The Rookie North is also expected to film its pilot in the late winter or spring of 2026.
The reasoning behind this delay is reportedly that ABC and the upcoming series’ producers (including The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley) are waiting for a window where more actors are available. They want to ensure that the spinoff’s cast is as perfect as possible. Consequently, production on The Rookie North’s pilot has been delayed until they can get the actors that they want.
The Rookie North Getting A Series Order All Hinges On The Pilot Being Great
The Pilot Will Make Or Break The Rookie Offshoot
A TV show’s pilot is, more often than not, the deciding factor for whether networks greenlight it or toss it aside. As a result, it’s quite important that the first episode is the best product the cast and crew can turn in. If the pilot has any glaring flaws that can’t be corrected, the series is doomed from the start.
Given the significance of a pilot, The Rookie North’s producers waiting to shoot it until its perfect cast is finalized is genius. Sometimes, networks give TV shows a straight-to-series order, meaning they can bypass the pilot process. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for The Rookie’s exciting new spinoff. So, without a series order, its first episode must be immaculate.
The Rookie North’s pilot must be good enough for ABC to give the offshoot the greenlight. Only then can fans get excited about it, since it will have a definite future. In order to guarantee this future, though, The Rookie spinoff should put the best actors in the right roles, and the only way that can happen is by waiting.
The Rookie season 8 premieres in early 2026.
