ABC Fast-Tracks The Rookie Spinoff Starring Top Gun: Maverick Star

If you thought 'The Rookie' universe was done expanding, think again. ABC isn’t just keeping the main show going—now they’re betting on a whole new offshoot in a different state, with a new 'oldest rookie on the force' gimmick. Here’s what’s happening.

Yes, 'The Rookie' Is Sticking Around (For Now)

First, quick refresher: 'The Rookie' launched back in 2018, with Nathan Fillion playing John Nolan—a guy who hits his forties and suddenly decides to join the LAPD as the oldest rookie cop in their history. It’s procedural TV comfort food, and clearly people are still eating it up: Season 8 wrapped on May 4, and ABC already locked it in for a ninth season airing in 2026–2027. So much for police retirement age.

Meet the New Spin-Off: 'The Rookie: North'

ABC’s clearly got a formula it likes, because now we’re getting 'The Rookie: North'—officially picked up for a ten-episode season. Jay Ellis (you might know him from 'Insecure' or 'Top Gun: Maverick') is stepping in as the new lead, Alex Holland. So what’s his deal? He’s another regular guy, supposedly past the age where anybody starts a cop career, who gets shaken out of his routine by a violent home invasion and winds up joining Washington state’s Pierce County Police Department as—yep—the oldest rookie they’ve got.

'Alex Holland believed his midlife wasn’t worthy of a crisis. But after a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex battles a lifetime of failed commitments by joining the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie. Policing from the urban coast to the rural forest where backup isn’t just five minutes away, Alex must prove to his skeptical training officer, his fellow rookies and himself, that he’s finally found something worthy of the fight.'

Basically, take the original setup, swap out LA for a mix of urban/rural Washington—where you can’t just call backup and get help in five minutes—and let’s see what happens when small-town cops have midlife meltdowns.

Cast and Crew: Who’s Coming Along For the Ride?

• Jay Ellis is Alex Holland, also pulling double duty as a producer.
• Chris Sullivan ('This is Us'), Karen Fukuhara ('The Boys'), Froy Gutierrez ('Teen Wolf'), Janet Montgomery ('The Legend of Korra'), Mya Lowe ('Yellowjackets'), and Malik Watson (showed up on the main 'Rookie' before) round out the main cast.
• The original creator, Alexi Hawley, is writing and executive producing—so this won’t be a total reboot with strangers at the wheel.
• Nathan Fillion is hanging around in producer mode, and apparently popping in for a guest spot on the new show’s premiere.

Quick Timeline and Franchise Spin-Off History

Just so you know, this isn’t ABC’s first attempt at spinning 'The Rookie' into a broader police universe. There was 'The Rookie: Feds' back in 2022—lasted one season, got canceled, but ABC kept a few of the characters alive by having them cameo in the main show from time to time. Rumors about a new offshoot floated up in 2024, but it wasn’t until July 2025, when casting started, that 'The Rookie: North' was officially announced. Don’t expect to see it right away—it’s locked for ABC’s 2027 mid-season schedule.

The bottom line: ABC is going full 'franchise' with 'The Rookie', for better or worse. New state, same basic premise, fresh cast (and a few old faces lurking in the credits). Just brace yourself—there’s probably a 90% chance Alex Holland solves his first major case right before retirement age. Stay tuned.