‘The Rookie’ Season 9 & Spinoff ‘North’ Premiere Dates, Teaser & Guest Stars Revealed

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ABC is making a significant investment in a single night of television, and fans of ‘The Rookie’ are set to reap the rewards. The network has officially announced the premiere dates for its flagship police drama along with its new spinoff, accompanied by exciting casting news and a sneak peek at upcoming footage. January is gearing up to be an eventful month for the franchise.

Since its debut on ABC in 2018, ‘The Rookie’ has followed John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), the oldest rookie in the LAPD. The franchise previously attempted to expand with ‘The Rookie: Feds,’ featuring Niecy Nash-Betts, but it only lasted one season. With this new spinoff, ABC is taking a fresh approach with a different setting and cast, indicating strong confidence in the format.

The schedule is now set. Both shows will premiere on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, with the new season of ‘The Rookie’ kicking off the evening, followed by ‘The Rookie: North’ at 10 pm ET. Viewers can catch both series on Hulu the following day, creating a complete ‘Rookie’ block on Wednesdays.

The spinoff features Jay Ellis as Alex Holland, who thought his midlife was crisis-free until a violent home invasion ignites a newfound purpose. He joins the Pierce County Police Department in Washington state as its oldest rookie, needing to prove himself to a skeptical training officer, fellow rookies, and himself in an area where help isn’t just minutes away.

A newly released mini-teaser offers a glimpse into the darker tone of the Pacific Northwest. The cast also includes Chris Sullivan, Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe, and Malik Watson. ABC has ordered ten episodes, with the pilot filmed in Vancouver.

Screenshot 2026 08 25 at 20 00 40 The Rookie Rotten Tomatoes

The announcement also included exciting casting news. On the main show, Troian Bellisario will portray recurring guest star Stephanie Monroe, a single mother in her 30s who joins the police department for a fresh start. Dulé Hill will appear as Lt. Hughes, a “distracted” 30-year veteran navigating personal challenges while learning the Watch Commander role.

Molly Kunz joins the cast as Quinn, a determined small-town girl aspiring to be an EMT in Los Angeles, characterized as smart, athletic, and eager to impress. On the spinoff side, Andy Allo will guest star as Brooke, a warm and intelligent first-year ER resident who forms a bond with Alex. These new roles will bring fresh dynamics to both casts.

Fans are eager to see how the two shows will intertwine, and the creative team has been dropping hints. Fillion is set to make a crossover appearance in the premiere of ‘North,’ and showrunner Alexi Hawley mentioned to TV Insider that Nolan will serve as “a mentor of sorts” to Ellis’s character, as both share a similar journey of entering the job later in life.

Hawley has also discussed the complexities of these crossovers. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he noted that coordinating crossovers is more challenging than with ‘Feds,’ given the new show’s different location, but he is “definitely planning to collide those worlds.” He also teased that fan-favorite couple Tim and Lucy, known as ‘Chenford,’ might head north during the first season.

Hawley confirmed that the new season of ‘The Rookie’ will kick off with a two-part premiere, although he is keeping specific plot details under wraps. Filming for the flagship season began earlier this year, with production on ‘North’ following closely behind. Returning cast members include Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, Jenna Dewan, Shawn Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez, and Deric Augustine.

ABC’s programming strategy is clear. By airing both series back to back, the network is facilitating easier crossovers and providing viewers with a natural incentive to stay tuned for an additional hour. If successful, this could elevate ‘The Rookie’ into a full-fledged franchise rather than just a single hit show.

With premiere dates, a teaser, and a robust lineup of guest stars confirmed, the countdown to January has officially commenced.

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