Fans of The Rookie are going to experience a lengthy hiatus, as ABC has delivered an update on when season 8 of the police drama will return.
The Rookie wrapped up season 7 with its finale on May 13. It left us hanging on multiple cliffhangers, including the potential rebirth of Chenford and a villain's return, causing confusion among the LAPD team as they step into a government building.
These unique circumstances cracked open some burning questions, but are also promising storylines for season 8. However, fans of the crime series will have to wait for quite some time until its premiere, and it's disappointing, as season 7 has been filled with riveting narratives and escalating drama that, let's face it, made it one of the best The Rookie installments.
So, it's easy to see why playing the waiting game with The Rookie is never a fun time, but the good news is that it will return, despite pushing the fans' patience.
Season 8 of The Rookie will have the same scheduling format as season 7, airing sometime midseason on Tuesday nights in 2026. That's nine months away, considering whether ABC will launch the premiere in January. But it's not all bad news, as airing in midseason will have the benefit of hardly any breaks or interruptions, allowing the episodes, which will have a count of even more, to air back-to-back.
The Rookie will also be partnered again with another fan favorite, Will Trent, whose success only exploded with a midseason premiere with season 3. ABC and Disney hope to hold that same rhythm for the shows' upcoming chapters.
Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich revealed to Deadline on May 13 that he sees the continuing success of The Rookie and Will Trent airing together on the same night.
“The Rookie and Will Trent is a repeat of the extraordinarily successful schedule we had last season."
High Potential, ABC's breakout procedural, will also be joining The Rookie and Will Trent in midseason, as the Kaitlin Olsen series will have a longer episode count than its first season.
Tuesdays on ABC is the network's must-see destination night of television, and will only expand its popularity when these three powerhouse shows work together. It's only a natural reaction, given the recent output.
Until we see Officer Nolan again, Dancing With The Stars and the launch of High Potential season 2 will be airing on Tuesdays starting this fall. The Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough-hosted dance competition will enter its impressive season 34, with Australian animal conservationist and zookeeper, Robert Irwin, in the cast lineup.