The Rookie universe is expanding once again — and this time, it’s heading north.
Us Weekly confirmed in December 2024 that Lionsgate Television and 20th Television were working on a new spinoff series at ABC titled The Rookie: North, with original series creator Alexi Hawley attached to write.
Keep scrolling for everything to know so far:
What Is ‘The Rookie: North’ About?
The upcoming spinoff will be set in Washington state and follow a male cop — Alex Holland — entering a new chapter of his life. The show’s official description reveals that Holland “believed his midlife wasn’t worthy of a crisis.”
The original series, which premiered in 2018, was inspired by the true story of Bill Norcross, a real LAPD officer who joined the department in his mid-40s after relocating to Los Angeles in 2015.
Who Is Starring on ‘The Rookie: North’?
Jay Ellis stars as Alex Holland alongside Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe and Malik Watson.
When asked what makes the show unique, Ellis told TV Insider in May 2026, “This cast first and foremost.”
“I also think we get to explore really beautiful and exciting and diverse terrain because the show is based out of Tacoma,” he added. “So with that, you can be on the ocean one day, you can be on the Pacific Ocean one day, you can be in a sound, you can be in an urban city center, you can be in a neighborhood just out the suburbs and then you can also be like up in the mountains. So I think we also get a really big sandbox to play in.”
Hawley, who serves as executive producer and showrunner on The Rookie, will also executive produce The Rookie: North. He’ll be joined by Nathan Fillion, Norcross and Michelle Chapman, all of whom currently executive produce the parent series. Lionsgate Television will coproduce the project with 20th Television.
Will Nathan Fillion Appear on ‘The Rookie: North’?
Ellis and Montgomery confirmed that Fillion will appear in the pilot episode.
“Most of the stuff with Nathan is with you actually,” Montgomery told TV Insiderin May 2026, referring to Ellis. “I have, like, a very brief moment, but really it’s like the connection between you two and I really like that because you’re not the same at all, but there’s like a kindred spirit and I think you guys would be best friends … if they were real characters in real life.”
Ellis agreed, adding, “He’s going to be someone that Alex calls for advice a lot.”
Is This the Only Spinoff Attempt for ‘The Rookie’ Franchise?
The Rookie: North marks the second spinoff attempt for the franchise. The first, The Rookie: Feds, debuted in September 2022 and followed a team of FBI agents. ABC canceled the series after one season.
When Does ‘The Rookie: North’ Premiere?
The show is set to hit ABC in 2027.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
