2026 is already shaping up to be a landmark year for ABC’s crime drama lineup, with two of its biggest hits — Will Trent and The Rookie — officially confirmed to return with brand-new seasons. Both shows have earned devoted fanbases for their grounded storytelling, sharp character development, and emotional depth. Now, with new storylines, bigger crossover potential, and a promise of high-stakes drama, ABC is pulling out all the stops to make next year’s lineup its strongest yet.
A Dynamic Duo: ABC Doubles Down on Crime Drama Success
After a string of successful seasons, The Rookie and Will Trent have become pillars of ABC’s primetime identity. The Rookie, now heading into its monumental Season 9, continues to follow John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) as he balances leadership, mentorship, and the ever-changing challenges of modern policing. Meanwhile, Will Trent — starring Ramón Rodríguez as the quirky yet brilliant GBI agent — is preparing to expand its emotional and investigative universe in its fourth season.
The network’s strategy is clear: keep both shows fresh, interconnected, and emotionally rich. According to insiders, ABC plans to lean into shared themes of justice, redemption, and moral complexity — something both series have mastered in different ways.
“They complement each other beautifully,” one producer teased. “Will Trent digs deep into the psychology of crime, while The Rookie captures the human side of police work. Together, they represent two sides of the same coin.”
The Rookie Season 9: A New Chapter of Leadership and Legacy
Following the explosive events of The Rookie Season 8, next year promises a mix of emotional fallout and professional transformation. With John Nolan now serving as one of the department’s most respected officers, the show will explore what legacy truly means — and how mentorship shapes the next generation of cops.
Expect the season to dive deeper into:
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Chenford’s Complicated Reunion: After the emotional turbulence of Season 8, Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) must decide whether love can coexist with duty. Their story is far from over — and their next chapter may be the most unpredictable yet.
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Nyla Harper’s Past Resurfaces: Nyla’s undercover scandal from years ago might finally catch up with her, forcing her to confront moral questions about loyalty and survival.
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New Blood in the LAPD: Season 9 will reportedly introduce a fresh batch of rookies — echoing the show’s early days but viewed through Nolan’s veteran perspective.
Behind the scenes, The Rookie’s creative team has hinted at a tone that’s both “more mature and more dangerous.” The stakes, both personal and professional, are higher than ever — but the heart of the show remains the same: finding humanity in chaos.
Will Trent Season 4: Secrets, Surprises, and a Career on the Line
If The Rookie explores the everyday heroes of law enforcement, Will Trent continues to probe the emotional scars behind every case. Season 3 ended on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that put Will’s integrity — and his relationship with Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) — on the line.
As Season 4 begins, Will faces the biggest test of his career yet. New details emerging from a decades-old GBI cover-up could destroy his reputation and everything he’s worked for. Fans can also expect:
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The Return of Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen): Angie’s struggle with addiction and her deep bond with Will will continue to shape the season’s emotional arc.
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Faith’s Rise to Leadership: With her instincts sharper than ever, Faith will find herself taking on more authority — but it may come at a personal cost.
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A Chilling New Villain: The show is introducing a “criminal mastermind with ties to Will’s past,” promising a more serialized and suspense-driven story than ever before.
“This season, Will’s greatest challenge won’t be solving a case — it’ll be facing himself,” teased showrunner Liz Heldens.
Could a Crossover Be on the Horizon?
Fans have long speculated about a potential Will Trent–The Rookie crossover — and 2026 might finally be the year it happens. Both shows share thematic DNA: driven investigators, personal trauma, and the fine line between justice and obsession.
While nothing has been officially confirmed, several cast members have dropped subtle hints. Ramón Rodríguez and Nathan Fillion were recently seen at the same ABC press event, sparking rumors of a shared storyline involving an LAPD–GBI joint operation.
Such a crossover would be a dream for fans, offering the perfect blend of The Rookie’s grounded realism and Will Trent’s psychological depth.
A Year of Reinvention for ABC
With the TV landscape more competitive than ever, ABC’s 2026 lineup represents confidence in quality over quantity. Both The Rookie and Will Trent have proven they can evolve with their audiences — blending character-driven emotion with timely, socially conscious storytelling.
ABC executives have reportedly emphasized a “cinematic approach” for both series next year, with upgraded production value, expanded locations, and emotionally ambitious scripts that push their characters to new limits.
If 2025 was about survival, 2026 will be about transformation.
What Fans Can Expect Overall
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Deeper Character Arcs: Both series will lean into emotional storytelling and long-term character development.
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Higher Stakes: The cases will be more personal, the conflicts more intense, and the moral choices more complicated.
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Stronger Female Leads: Characters like Lucy Chen, Nyla Harper, Faith Mitchell, and Angie Polaski are set to take on pivotal storylines.
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A Possible Shared Universe: Don’t rule out crossovers, cameos, or thematic parallels between The Rookie and Will Trent.
Final Thoughts
2026 won’t just be another year for The Rookie and Will Trent — it’ll be a turning point. Both shows are stepping into bold new territory, balancing procedural thrills with emotional storytelling that feels more cinematic than ever.
From Nolan’s continued evolution as a mentor to Will’s unraveling battle with truth and trauma, these series are proving that the future of network TV still belongs to character-driven dramas that make audiences feel.
Fans can expect heart-stopping moments, raw emotion, and a few long-awaited answers when The Rookie and Will Trent return — bigger, braver, and bolder than ever before.
