Over its long tenure and heading into season 8 next year, The Rookie has charged us with engaging and fantastic characters that left a lasting impression on its fans. One character, as such, is Simone Clark, an FBI special agent portrayed by Niecy Nash. Simone only appeared in a few episodes, often giving insight into capturing hard and dangerous criminals, but she had such an impact on The Rookie that she became the main lead in the short-lived spinoff, The Rookie: Feds.
Nash's last appearance on The Rookie was in season 5 episode 21, "Going Under" from 2023. Fans are curious whether she'll return to the ABC drama, which just completed its seventh season on May 13. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the chances of Nash returning to The Rookie for season 8 or beyond and reprising her character are slim, as stated by the showrunner, Alexi Hawley.
In an interview with Deadline, Hawley emphasized his reasoning why Nash won't be returning, but he also has a sliver of hope of collaborating with her in the future.
"In terms of Niecy [Nash], she is a very busy woman. I would doubt that we’d be able to get her back on [The Rookie], just given how much she’s working, but obviously, I would love to work with her again. Never say never."
His response is legitimate, as Nash has been busy expanding her credit roster. Since The Rookie: Feds' cancellation in 2023, she has been expanding her credit roster with roles in adult animation and has continued to be the host for the FOX game show, Don't Forget The Lyrics.
Over the past year, Nash played Lois Tryon in Ryan Murphy's horror drama Grotesquerie for the FX Network. She'll work with Murphy again alongside reality star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian in the upcoming legal drama All's Fair, which will premiere on Hulu this fall.
In All's Fair, Nash will take on the role of a high-powered attorney, Emerald Green, as she and her partner, Allura Grant (Kardashian), will take on legal cases while trying to balance their personal lives in Los Angeles. The show will depict women in careers often led by men and showcase the challenges of running a legal firm.
Maybe after Nash wraps up All's Fair, she might be available to reappear as Simone and reunite with Officer John Nolan and the rest of the LAPD team. One could only hope, as it sometimes takes two law enforcement agencies to bring the crime and disorder level down to ensure public safety.
Even if Nash couldn't return due to her work commitments, we still have lots of things to look forward to in the upcoming season 8. But like all good things, we just have to be patient for its premiere on ABC in 2026.