The Rookie’s Latest Spinoff Sounds Awfully Familiar
After the failure of The Rookie: Feds, it’s surprising that ABC is already hard at work on another entry in The Rookie universe.
Then again, it’s 2025, and fresh IP is basically off the table for network execs more interested in recycling known brands than taking risks.
The idea is simple: tie a new show to a recognizable name, get people to sample it, and hope for the best.
The Rookie: Feds managed a full 22-episode freshman run during the 2022–23 TV season. Despite soft on-air ratings and some wildly inconsistent plotlines, it was still expected to stick around.
So, what’s in store for the next spinoff?
According to Deadline, the new project is currently titled The Rookie: North and will be set in Washington, D.C.
The Rookie Is Still Going Strong
Much like the original, it’ll follow a male cop entering his “second act.” The lead is described as “a former overachiever who becomes a rookie cop after his life did not go as planned.”
The show hasn’t been formally ordered to pilot yet, so ABC appears to be taking its time, trying to ensure this next chapter actually lands with fans.
Despite “gaining momentum” behind the scenes, the project still hasn’t cast its leading man — a key piece needed before the network can move forward.
What’s especially interesting is that The Rookie: North could premiere as early as the 2025–26 TV season.
While CBS has become accustomed to picking up shows far in advance, it’s rare to see ABC aiming to move this quickly.
With traditional broadcast seasons shrinking, it might make sense to slot The Rookie: North into the schedule when the mothership is on hiatus — assuming it makes it to air.
ABC is taking a different approach with 9-1-1: Nashville, pairing it with the original 9-1-1 on Thursdays this fall. That double-header could be a tough sell, especially after 9-1-1: Lone Star was canceled.
The Rookie has been a delayed-viewing success for ABC in recent years, so the hope is clearly that North can replicate that magic.
The Spinoff Needs to Find Its Footing
Crossovers are almost inevitable — this is network TV, after all — but ideally, the spinoff will build a foundation of its own first.
Let’s hope the producers take a good, hard look at The Rookie: Feds and use it as a blueprint for what not to do.
Niecy Nash was utterly wasted on that uneven series, which struggled to balance comedy and drama.
Few shows can pull that off, especially across 22 episodes a season.
The good news?
ABC appears to be taking a cautious approach this time, rather than rushing in with a full-season order.
Maybe they’ve learned something.
What do you think of the early details on The Rookie: North?
Is now the right time to expand the franchise again?
And if the spinoff flops, could it drag down the mothership?
Hit the comments.
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