ABC has renewed its popular police drama "The Rookie" for a ninth season, but fans eager for new episodes will need to wait, as the show is slated for a midseason premiere in early 2027. Showrunner Alexi Hawley confirmed that significant changes are in store for the upcoming season, stating, "There are definitely things that are going to be different. We all try and shake things up from season to season…I never want to make the same season twice."
The decision to hold "The Rookie" for a midseason slot was announced at the Disney Upfront event. This move also affects "High Potential" and "Will Trent," which will premiere in early 2027 alongside "The Rookie." While official release dates have not yet been announced, sources suggest early January is the most likely target.
It is anticipated that "High Potential" and "Will Trent" will occupy Tuesday nights, while "The Rookie" and its upcoming spinoff, "The Rookie: North," starring Jay Ellis, Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe, and Malik Watson, are expected to air back-to-back on Mondays.
The season finale of "The Rookie" left viewers with significant questions, and Hawley's comments suggest the new season will address these developments and introduce new narrative directions. The series, which previously aired new episodes on Sunday nights, will not be part of ABC's fall primetime schedule. Instead, viewers can expect reruns and other programming during the fall season.
"The Rookie" follows the oldest rookie in the LAPD, John Nolan, as he navigates his career and personal life. The series has built a dedicated following over its eight seasons, exploring complex cases and character-driven storylines.
For those looking to catch up on past seasons or rewatch favorite episodes, all eight seasons of "The Rookie" are currently available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Hulu offers ad-supported plans starting at $11.99 per month, with an ad-free option available for $18.99 per month. Bundles that include Disney+ and Hulu are also available, starting at $12.99 per month for ad-supported versions and going up to $32.99 per month for ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and Max.