We're finally getting some news about The Rookie's spinoff, as creator Alexi Hawley reveals that it's getting closer to becoming an actual production and not just a dream. Furthermore, Nathan Fillion, who portrays Officer John Nolan on the long-running ABC cop drama that's filled with twists and turns, will be the executive producer.
The spinoff will take place in Washington State and will follow the same pattern as its predecessor in terms of its storyline. If you don't know The Rookie's origins, the show follows a middle-aged man who fulfills his lifelong goals by changing his career from a construction worker to a police officer. As far as I know, California is one of the few States that offer law enforcement opportunities to people over forty.
The Rookie has been renewed for an eighth season and will air during ABC's midseason block in 2026. While it's a long wait, we've been more than blessed with character developments, writing arcs, and intense situations in the past seven seasons, and thanks to Hulu, where the series is streamed, we can relive all of the good and bad moments of Nolan's life until the premiere.
Deadline first reported the spinoff's update, and according to the outlet, Hawley told its reporters at ABC’s End of Summer Soirée on September 5, that the pilot will soon be filmed sometime in early 2026. It's an exciting new chapter for The Rookie's legacy, as it only means that its popularity is growing more and more among fans.
Here's what Hawley said about the pilot's filming schedule:
"I think we are looking at shooting a pilot in the spring or late winter, so we are gearing up for that, but that's all I can share [about the spinoff]."
Additional bits and pieces about the spinoff, whose title is The Rookie North, and it's been in the talks since December 2024, as the network presented Hawley with a script commitment to branch out The Rookie's franchise. If the spinoff is greenlit, then it will be the second, coming after The Rookie: Feds, whose fate was cut short after one season. Despite that, several of the Feds cast appeared on The Rookie following the cancellation. The act helped fulfill the fans' need to see Nicey Nash's character, Simone Clark, and her team working alongside the LAPD for some of their toughest cases.
Currently, The Rookie is one of ABC's most-watched shows, especially among the younger audience. If anything, it deserves a spinoff, as there's a lot of potential for revealing new stories.