After months of rumors, petitions, and online campaigns from devoted fans, it’s finally official — The Rookie’s long-lost spin-off is making a triumphant comeback. What once seemed like a forgotten experiment in ABC’s crime procedural universe has been revived, and this time, it looks like the network is ready to do it justice.
From the moment the The Rookie: Feds finale aired in 2023, fans were left wondering if they’d ever see Special Agent Simone Clark — played by Niecy Nash-Betts — and her FBI team again. Now, the answer is clear: yes. ABC has confirmed that a Rookie spin-off project is officially back in development, with a new creative direction and a promise to give fans the expanded universe they’ve been waiting for.
The Spin-Off That Refused to Die
When The Rookie: Feds premiered in 2022, it quickly gained a passionate following. As the first spin-off of The Rookie, the show explored federal-level cases through the eyes of Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy — a mirror to John Nolan’s late-career journey with the LAPD.
Despite strong performances and fan enthusiasm, The Rookie: Feds was canceled after just one season. The news hit hard, especially given Niecy Nash-Betts’ magnetic performance and the show’s vibrant supporting cast, which included James Lesure, Britt Robertson, Frankie Faison, and Kevin Zegers.
But fans weren’t ready to say goodbye. Social media campaigns flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram with hashtags such as #SaveTheRookieFeds and #BringBackSimoneClark. The persistence paid off — the spin-off is officially coming back in a new form.
“It’s rare for a canceled series to find new life, but the passion around Feds was undeniable,” a network insider told Deadline. “The fans never let it go — and neither did the cast.”
A Fresh Take, Same Universe
While ABC hasn’t revealed an official title yet, sources confirm the revival won’t be a simple reboot. Instead, the new project will serve as a “reimagined continuation” of The Rookie: Feds, set a few years after the original series ended.
Niecy Nash-Betts is expected to return as Simone Clark, and according to early reports, her character will now be leading a special multi-agency task force — bridging the gap between the FBI and local law enforcement. That setup not only allows the show to explore bigger, higher-stakes cases but also paves the way for crossovers with The Rookie’s main LAPD team.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley — who created both The Rookie and its spin-off — is reportedly overseeing development alongside new executive producers, with the goal of making this revival more interconnected and tonally balanced than before.
“We learned a lot from Feds’ first run,” Hawley explained. “This version gives Simone more power, higher stakes, and more crossover potential. It’s about expanding The Rookie world in a way that feels earned.”
Niecy Nash-Betts Returns — Stronger Than Ever
Fans can’t imagine The Rookie universe without Niecy Nash-Betts, whose charisma and comedic timing gave Simone Clark an unforgettable spark. Known for her fearless energy, Simone stood out as a woman reinventing herself in a world that constantly questioned her capabilities.
Nash-Betts has confirmed her excitement to step back into Simone’s shoes, teasing on social media:
“You can’t keep a good agent down! Simone Clark is back — and she’s coming in HOT.”
In interviews, Nash-Betts has also emphasized that this new version will dive deeper into Simone’s personal evolution, as well as her complicated relationship with her father, Cutty (Frankie Faison), and her continued drive to prove herself in a system that underestimates her.
“Simone has always been about second chances,” Nash-Betts said. “This comeback feels like hers — and mine.”
Expanding The Rookie Universe
The Rookie franchise has slowly become one of ABC’s most valuable drama properties. With The Rookie itself now heading into its eighth season, the network has made it clear that it wants to turn the brand into a long-lasting universe — much like Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 or CBS’s FBI franchise.
The revived Feds project will likely play a major role in this expansion. Fans are already speculating about potential crossovers, especially between Simone Clark and John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), or even between Simone and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), who’s been taking on new leadership responsibilities within the LAPD.
“There are so many ways to connect these stories now,” Hawley teased. “We want it to feel like one big world, where choices and consequences ripple across cities, agencies, and characters.”
This approach could finally fulfill what Feds originally promised — a larger, more dynamic storytelling landscape that gives every character room to grow.
What Fans Can Expect
So, what will this new version of The Rookie: Feds look like? While details are still under wraps, several leaks and casting notices hint at a grittier tone with more serialized storytelling, a shift from the lighter procedural format of the original series.
Expect more action-driven plots, deeper emotional arcs, and higher-stakes missions that challenge Simone and her team to the limit. There are also reports that at least two new agents will join the cast — one described as a “tech genius with a dark secret,” and another as a “disillusioned ex-cop trying to rebuild their life.”
Meanwhile, the first episodes are rumored to set up an event that connects both The Rookie and Feds storylines — possibly involving a shared investigation that forces the LAPD and FBI to work together again.
Fans Celebrate the Revival
The announcement has sparked massive excitement online.
“We did it! The Rookie: Feds is BACK!” one fan posted.
“Niecy Nash deserves this. She carried that show and we’re ready for round two.”
“ABC finally listened — time to build the Rookieverse!”
The fanbase’s loyalty and enthusiasm are a major part of why this revival exists at all — and the network seems eager to embrace that energy.
“This comeback is for the fans,” ABC said in a statement. “Their passion is what kept this dream alive.”
A Second Chance for Something Bigger
For The Rookie: Feds, this revival is more than just a new season — it’s a second chance to build something lasting. With Niecy Nash-Betts back, Alexi Hawley steering the creative vision, and The Rookie stronger than ever, the future of this expanding police procedural universe looks brighter — and bolder — than ever before.
💬 The Rookie: Feds revival is currently in development at ABC, with production expected to begin in early 2026.
Fans waited, fought, and never gave up — and now, their persistence has paid off. Simone Clark is back, and the Rookieverse just got a whole lot bigger.
