ABC is heading north—way north—for the next chapter in “The Rookie” universe. The network has given a pilot order to “The Rookie: North,” a new spinoff that will trade Los Angeles’ urban sprawl for the diverse landscapes of Washington state, with “Insecure” and “Top Gun: Maverick” star Jay Ellis leading the charge as the franchise’s newest aging rookie.
A Mid-Life Crisis with a Badge
The official logline for “The Rookie: North” immediately sets it apart from its predecessor while maintaining the core DNA that made the original series a hit:
“Alex Holland (Ellis) believed his mid-life 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 its oldest rookie. Policing from the urban coast to the rural forest where backup isn’t just 5-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.”
That description immediately establishes several compelling elements. First, there’s the inciting incident—a violent home invasion that fundamentally changes Alex’s perspective on his life and purpose. Unlike the original “Rookie,” where Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan joined the LAPD after witnessing a bank robbery, Alex’s motivation is deeply personal and traumatic, suggesting a character who’s not just seeking adventure but redemption.
Second, there’s the acknowledgment of “a lifetime of failed commitments.” This isn’t just a man looking for a career change; this is someone with a history of not following through, of letting opportunities and relationships slip away. The badge becomes more than a job—it’s a chance to prove to himself that he can commit to something difficult and see it through.
From Urban Coast to Rural Forest
One of the most intriguing aspects of “The Rookie: North” is its setting. While the original series is firmly planted in Los Angeles, with all the resources, infrastructure, and immediate backup that a major metropolitan police department provides, this spinoff will explore policing in Pierce County, Washington—an area that encompasses both urban coastal communities and rural forest regions.
The logline’s emphasis on “backup isn’t just 5-minutes away” immediately establishes higher stakes and a very different policing environment. Rural law enforcement operates under fundamentally different conditions than urban policing: officers cover larger geographic areas, responses times can stretch from minutes to hours, and the relationship between police and community tends to be more personal and complex.
This setting also opens up storytelling possibilities that the original series couldn’t easily access. Cases might involve wilderness searches, remote drug operations, interactions with indigenous communities, environmental crimes, and the unique challenges of policing in areas where everyone knows everyone—and their families going back generations.
Pierce County itself is an interesting choice. It includes the city of Tacoma (Washington’s third-largest city) as well as significant rural and forested areas, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (one of the largest military installations in the country), and proximity to both Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. This geographic diversity allows the show to explore urban, suburban, rural, and wilderness policing within a single jurisdiction.
Jay Ellis Takes the Lead
Jay Ellis brings significant star power and dramatic credibility to the role of Alex Holland. Best known for his breakout role as Lawrence Walker on HBO’s “Insecure,” Ellis demonstrated a remarkable ability to portray a flawed, complicated man navigating self-doubt, relationship challenges, and personal growth. That experience should serve him well in playing another man in his 40s trying to figure out who he is and what he’s meant to do.
Ellis has been steadily building an impressive resume across multiple platforms. He currently stars in Netflix’s basketball comedy “Running Point,” which is preparing for its second season, and recently appeared in Peacock’s drama “All Her Fault.” He’s also set to appear in Mindy Kaling’s upcoming Hulu comedy series “Not Suitable for Work.”
On the film side, Ellis made a memorable impression in “Top Gun: Maverick” as Lt. Reuben “Payback” Fitch, proving he could hold his own in a major blockbuster alongside Tom Cruise. He also appeared in the acclaimed “Freaky Tales.” His range—from prestige drama to broad comedy to action—suggests he’ll be able to handle the tonal variety that “The Rookie” franchise requires.
The Creative Team Returns
“The Rookie” creator Alexi Hawley will write, executive produce, and direct the pilot—a strong signal that ABC and Lionsgate Television are serious about maintaining the quality and tone that made the original series successful. Hawley’s involvement ensures continuity with the mothership show while giving him the freedom to explore new territory.
Nathan Fillion, the star of the original series, will executive produce alongside Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Chapman. Fillion’s involvement is particularly noteworthy—he’s invested not just as a producer but as someone who’s lived inside this world for eight seasons and understands what makes it work. His perspective will be invaluable in shaping a spinoff that feels connected to the original while standing on its own.
Ellis will also serve as a producer in addition to starring, giving him creative input into his character’s development and the show’s direction. This level of involvement from the lead actor often results in more nuanced, fully realized characters, as Ellis will have a voice in shaping Alex Holland’s journey.
Learning from “The Rookie: Feds”
“The Rookie: North” represents ABC’s second attempt at spinning off the successful franchise. The first, “The Rookie: Feds” starring Niecy Nash-Betts, aired for one season before being canceled in 2023.
“Feds” wasn’t a failure—it had strong performances, particularly from Nash-Betts, and interesting cases. But it struggled to differentiate itself sufficiently from the mothership series. Both shows were set in Los Angeles, both featured law enforcement rookies, and the cases often felt interchangeable. The federal angle provided some distinction, but not enough to carve out a unique identity.
“The Rookie: North” seems designed to avoid that trap. The Washington setting, the mix of urban and rural policing, the emphasis on isolation and limited backup, and the specific character journey of a man battling “a lifetime of failed commitments”—all of these elements create a show that should feel distinct from its predecessor while maintaining the core appeal.
The “Second Act” Story
At its heart, “The Rookie: North” is a “second act” story—one of the most resonant narratives in American culture. The idea that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, to find purpose, to become the person you were meant to be—this is deeply appealing to audiences, particularly those who’ve felt stuck in careers or lives that no longer fit.
Alex Holland’s journey taps into that universal desire for redemption and reinvention. He’s not a young person figuring out what to do with his life; he’s someone who’s already lived half of it, made mistakes, failed to commit to things that mattered, and is now getting what may be his last chance to get it right.
The added element of having to prove himself to “his skeptical training officer, his fellow rookies, and himself” creates built-in dramatic tension. Being the oldest rookie isn’t just about physical challenges—though those will certainly exist—it’s about credibility, respect, and the psychological burden of wondering if you’ve waited too long to make a change.
The Mother Ship Sails On
“The Rookie” was renewed for an eighth season earlier this year, with the new season scheduled to debut on January 6, 2026. The show’s longevity is remarkable in an era when even moderately successful shows rarely make it past five seasons. That the network is investing in a second spinoff while the original continues demonstrates genuine confidence in the franchise’s brand and audience appeal.
Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan has proven to be a durable, appealing protagonist, and the show’s procedural format—standalone cases within ongoing character arcs—provides a comfortable, reliable viewing experience that keeps audiences coming back. The series has also done an excellent job of building out its ensemble cast, giving supporting characters like Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox), Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) their own compelling storylines.
What Happens Next
With a pilot order in hand, “The Rookie: North” will now move into production. The pilot will be filmed, and ABC executives will evaluate whether to order it to series. Given the network’s investment in the “Rookie” franchise and the strength of the creative team and lead actor, the odds seem favorable for a series pickup.
If picked up, the show would likely debut in the 2026-2027 television season, possibly as a mid-season replacement or as part of ABC’s fall lineup. The network could strategically schedule it alongside or adjacent to “The Rookie” to create a powerful programming block that leverages the mothership show’s established audience.
There’s also the potential for crossover episodes. While “The Rookie: North” is set in Washington rather than California, nothing prevents characters from traveling. A case that spans jurisdictions, a training conference, or a personal connection could easily bring Nolan and his LAPD colleagues into contact with Holland and the Pierce County Police Department.
A Franchise with Room to Grow
The success of police procedurals on network television remains one of the most reliable constants in an otherwise unpredictable industry. Shows like “Blue Bloods,” “Chicago P.D.,” and yes, “The Rookie,” continue to draw substantial audiences even as viewing habits shift dramatically toward streaming.
“The Rookie: North” taps into that reliable format while offering enough novelty—the Washington setting, the rural/urban mix, the specific character journey of Alex Holland—to feel fresh rather than formulaic. Jay Ellis brings the charisma and dramatic chops to anchor a series, Alexi Hawley has proven he can create and sustain this world, and ABC has shown it’s willing to invest in the franchise.
For viewers who’ve spent eight seasons with John Nolan and the LAPD, “The Rookie: North” offers a chance to explore a different corner of the same universe, to meet new characters facing similar challenges in a very different environment. And for those who’ve never watched “The Rookie,” this spinoff could serve as an accessible entry point—a fresh start that doesn’t require catching up on years of backstory.
Alex Holland is about to learn what John Nolan discovered years ago: it’s never too late to find your purpose, even if that purpose comes with a badge, a gun, and the skepticism of everyone around you. The journey from middle-aged complacency to rookie cop won’t be easy—but that’s exactly what makes it worth watching.
