ABC expands ‘The Rookie’ franchise with ninth season and new spin-off

ABC has renewed the police drama ‘The Rookie’ for a ninth season, scheduled for 2027. The renewal comes alongside the expansion of the franchise with a new spin-off titled ‘The Rookie: North’.

Starring Jay Ellis as Alex Holland, ‘The Rookie: North’ will be set in the Pacific Northwest. The series follows Holland, who joins the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie following a violent home invasion. Unlike the original Los Angeles-based series, the spin-off will feature a mix of urban and rural policing environments, often dealing with limited resources and delayed backup due to the geography of the region.

The original series, led by Nathan Fillion, is expected to continue its narrative following a major cliffhanger involving characters Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen. The new franchise expansion follows the previous spin-off, ‘The Rookie: Feds’.