ABC Expands The Rookie Franchise Once Again
Since its debut in 2018, The Rookie has become one of ABC’s most reliable crime dramas, capturing audiences with its mix of heartfelt storytelling and fast-paced police action. Now heading into its eighth season, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. After the short-lived The Rookie: Feds was canceled in 2023, ABC is once again looking to expand the universe with a fresh spinoff — The Rookie North.
Unlike its predecessors, this new series will stand apart thanks to a major shift in setting and tone. Early reports confirm that the project is in development, with showrunner Alexi Hawley leading the charge and writing the pilot script.
Filming Plans for The Rookie North
Although The Rookie North has not yet been given a straight-to-series order, progress is underway. In an interview with Deadline at ABC’s End of Summer Soirée, Hawley revealed that the pilot episode is tentatively scheduled to begin filming in late winter or early spring.
“I think we are looking at shooting a pilot in the spring or late winter, so we are gearing up for that,” Hawley said.
Once the pilot is completed and reviewed, ABC will decide whether to move forward with a full season or shelve the project. This means fans may have to wait until at least mid-2026 to know if The Rookie North officially joins the franchise lineup.
A Franchise First: Seattle as the Setting
Perhaps the biggest change separating The Rookie North from its predecessors is its location. Both The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds
This time, however, the story shifts to Washington state — most likely Seattle. This change introduces a distinctly different atmosphere, both visually and thematically. Instead of near-constant sunshine, viewers can expect rain-soaked streets, gray skies, and a cooler climate that will influence both the show’s tone and its storytelling.
By setting the series in the Pacific Northwest, ABC is signaling a willingness to take risks and offer audiences a fresh perspective within a familiar franchise framework.
Breaking a Longstanding Rookie Tradition
The decision to move the action north marks the first time the Rookie franchise has ventured outside Southern California. The change in setting doesn’t just alter the scenery — it has the potential to shape the characters’ experiences and the cases they tackle.
Seattle’s urban landscape and weather create opportunities for new narratives that couldn’t be told in Los Angeles. From rain-slicked chases through the city’s hills to cases tied to the unique culture of the Pacific Northwest, The Rookie North may deliver stories that stand apart from its predecessors while still carrying the franchise’s core themes of resilience and justice.
If greenlit, the spinoff could establish its own identity while maintaining the essence that has kept The Rookie popular for nearly a decade.
The Rookie Franchise Moving Forward
Despite the uncertainty surrounding The Rookie North, the flagship series continues to thrive. The Rookie season 8 is already deep into production and is scheduled to premiere in early 2026. It will air alongside the fourth season of Will Trent, reinforcing ABC’s lineup of crime dramas.
With more than 120 episodes aired so far, The Rookie has proven its staying power by blending engaging characters with compelling cases. Its enduring popularity makes ABC’s interest in a new spinoff unsurprising. The challenge now lies in ensuring The Rookie North captures the same magic while forging its own path.
A Fresh Chapter Awaits
The Rookie North is still in the early stages of development, but the spinoff’s unique approach has already piqued audience interest. A new city, a new climate, and potentially new types of characters create the possibility for fresh storytelling that expands the universe in exciting ways.
Whether the pilot leads to a full series or not, the fact that ABC continues to invest in the franchise highlights just how significant The Rookie has become in today’s television landscape. Fans can look forward to season 8 in 2026 — and, with luck, a brand-new chapter in Seattle with The Rookie North.
