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ABC's hit procedural drama The Rookie is once again adding a spinoff to its universe. As reported by Deadline, one spinoff, The Rookie: Feds, is off the ground thanks to its series premiere and now a new one, set in the state of Washington, is set to start in the early stages of development.
From her brainchild, Hawley, who created the main series, this one stays true to the DNA and elements that have helped put the franchise at an all-time high. The focus will be on a male protagonist undergoing a pivotal midlife career transition, just like in the journey of Nathan Fillion's John Nolan, who turned out to be the oldest LAPD rookie.
This new project has generated huge buzz since The Rookie entered its seventh season and is still going strong on the charts on ABC and Hulu. Here is everything we know about the upcoming spinoff, from its creators, storyline, and more.
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The plot of The Roomie spinoff: A new chapter in policing
As reported by Deadline, the new spinoff will retain the "second act" theme central to The Rookie universe. Unlike The Rookie: Feds, which focused on the FBI, this series will stay rooted in police work. Set in Washington state, the show will follow a male protagonist embarking on a new phase of his life and career.
No plot-specific details are confirmed yet, but the premise is likely to touch on growth, resilience, and how one struggles to adapt to such exhausting work later in life. The original series, which featured Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, received much acclaim because of its unique premise of a middle-aged rookie navigating the intricacies of law enforcement.
The spinoff is an attempt to capitalize on the success of the original series with new characters and settings, but the procedural drama format will remain the same. Fans can expect intense action, character-driven narratives, and that signature blend of humor and heart that has defined the franchise.
The creative minds on board with the project
This spinoff will be produced by Alexi Hawley, creator and showrunner of the flagship series, as reported by Deadline. The genius writer has the flair for building interesting procedural dramas and therefore brings extensive experience. He is paired as the executive producer of this spinoff alongside the executive producer and lead actor on the parent show, Nathan Fillion.
Other key players include Bill Norcross, whose life story inspired The Rookie, and Michelle Chapman, both of whom will continue as executive producers. The spinoff is a joint venture between Lionsgate Television and 20th Television. Lionsgate has recently purchased the original producer of The Rookie, eOne.
It has also extended Hawley's overall deal, which means a lot of investment in furthering the franchise. This talented team is well-positioned to tell great stories and bring interesting new characters.
Why now? The success of The Rookie Franchise
This spinoff's timing is just right with the continued success of the flagship series and its rising popularity on streaming platforms. Since its premiere in 2018, the original series has become one of ABC's most-watched dramas, appealing to a diverse audience.
As reported by Deadline, it has also emerged as a top performer on Hulu, having garnered over 500 million hours of viewing, with nearly half of that total coming in the past year alone. The series stayed alive, especially when the head of the Disney Television Group, Craig Erwich, commented on how this is still a great show because it continues to appeal to new audiences.
As evidence of the fact that this was a growing franchise, Niecy Nash-Betts's Simone Clark came along in The Rookie: Feds. Although the spinoff was cut short by the 2023 Hollywood strikes, its first season proved that there is a strong demand for more stories in this universe.
ABC's decision to develop another spinoff shows how confident it is in the ability of the franchise to hold and captivate audiences. As the network continues to work on new characters and settings within the procedural framework, it will build on the show's legacy and attract a wider audience.
All the episodes of The Rookie are available to watch on ABC.
