🚔 The Mid-Season Shift: Why the LAPD is Moving to Mondays
If you’ve been religiously tuning into ABC on Tuesday nights to catch Officer John Nolan and the rest of the Mid-Wilshire crew, you might have found yourself staring at a very different show lately. Don’t panic—you haven’t entered an alternate dimension where the LAPD doesn’t exist. Instead, you’ve just run head-first into one of the biggest network scheduling shake-ups of the year.
As of late January 2026, ABC has officially moved The Rookie from its long-held Tuesday night slot to a brand-new home on Monday nights. This shift coincided with the premiere of American Idol, creating a powerhouse block of entertainment to kick off your week. But with great changes come great confusion. If you’re asking yourself, “When does the next new episode air?” you aren’t alone. Let’s break down exactly where and when you can find your favorite procedural.
📅 The Rookie Season 8, Episode 4 Release Date
The question on everyone’s lips is about the fourth installment of the season. After a high-octane start with “Czech Mate” and “The Red Place,” fans are hungry for more.
The Official Air Date for “Cut and Run”
The next new episode of The Rookie, titled “Cut and Run” (Season 8, Episode 4), officially aired on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Wait, did you miss it? If you were waiting for Tuesday, January 27, you likely saw a rerun or a different program entirely. Because of the schedule change, the “premiere” now happens on Monday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Why Did ABC Change the Day?
Network television is a bit like a game of Tetris. To make room for the new drama series RJ Decker (starring Scott Speedman), which is slated to take over the Tuesday 10:00 p.m. slot in March, ABC decided to move its heavy hitters early. By pairing The Rookie with American Idol, they are aiming to capture a massive “live” audience on Mondays.
📺 Full Release Schedule for The Rookie Season 8
Keeping track of 18 episodes is a full-time job. To make your life easier, I’ve mapped out the confirmed and projected dates for the upcoming episodes.
The Straight-Run Guarantee
One piece of good news for the 2026 season is the “Straight Run” promise. Sources from TVLine and ABC have indicated that the 14 episodes following the schedule move will air with no interruptions. That means no random three-week breaks for sports or awards shows!
| Episode Number | Episode Title | Air Date |
| Season 8, Ep 1 | “Czech Mate” | Jan 6, 2026 |
| Season 8, Ep 2 | “Fast Andy” | Jan 13, 2026 |
| Season 8, Ep 3 | “The Red Place” | Jan 20, 2026 |
| Season 8, Ep 4 | “Cut and Run” | Jan 26, 2026 |
| Season 8, Ep 5 | “The Network” | Feb 2, 2026 |
| Season 8, Ep 6 | TBA | Feb 9, 2026 |
🔍 Episode 4 Deep Dive: What Happens in “Cut and Run”?
You shouldn’t just know when it airs; you should know why you can’t afford to miss it. “Cut and Run” isn’t just a transition to a new night; it’s a high-stakes thriller that tests our lead characters.
H3: Nolan and Bailey in the Crosshairs
In this episode, the line between work and home blurs in the most violent way possible. While out in the city, John Nolan and his wife, Bailey Nune, witness a public murder. They don’t have time to call for backup or wait for a tactical plan; they have to “spring into action” immediately to track down a suspect who is desperate to disappear.
H3: A Major Decision for Lopez and Evers
On the home front, Angela Lopez and Wesley Evers are facing a “big life decision.” For a couple that has already survived kidnappings, cartels, and the stresses of a newborn, this choice is hinted to have long-term consequences for their future in the LAPD (and the DA’s office). Is a move on the horizon? Or perhaps a new career path for Wesley?
💻 Where to Stream The Rookie if You Missed the Live Airing
Let’s be real: 10:00 p.m. on a Monday is past many of our bedtimes. If you can’t catch it live on ABC, you still have plenty of options.
H3: The Hulu Advantage
Hulu remains the primary streaming home for The Rookie. New episodes typically drop on the platform the following morning—in this case, Tuesdays at approximately 3:00 a.m. ET.
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Streaming Date for Ep 4: Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
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Catching Up: All seven previous seasons and current Season 8 episodes are available for binge-watching right now.
H4: Global Viewers and Disney+
For fans outside the United States, Disney+ (with the Star or Hulu integration) is your best bet. While release dates vary by region, most international markets see new episodes within a few days of the US broadcast.
🔥 What Else to Expect in Season 8
The move to Mondays is just the tip of the iceberg for 2026. This season is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious yet.
H3: The Prague Connection and Global Threats
We already saw the team head to Prague in the season premiere to work with Interpol. This “international” vibe is expected to pop up again later in the season. With Monica Stevens still looming as a dangerous wild card, the threats aren’t just local anymore—they’re global.
H3: The Return of Fan Favorites
Rumors are swirling about guest appearances. We’ve already heard whispers of Pete Davidson potentially returning to bring more chaos into Nolan’s life. Plus, with the “Straight Run” of episodes, the pacing is going to be relentless, giving the writers more room to develop the “Chenford” (Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford) relationship without those annoying month-long gaps.
💡 Expert Tips for ‘The Rookie’ Superfans
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Set a Recurring Alarm: Since the day change is so recent, your DVR might still be looking for the show on Tuesdays. Double-check your settings!
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Follow the Cast on Instagram: Actors like Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil are very active on social media and often post “New Episode Tonight” reminders to help fans navigate the schedule change.
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Watch the Re-runs: Interestingly, ABC has been known to re-air the new Monday episode on Tuesday nights during the transition period to catch any stragglers who missed the memo.
Conclusion
Finding out when the next new episode of The Rookie airs shouldn’t feel like a police investigation! To recap: Season 8, Episode 4, “Cut and Run,” premiered on Monday, January 26, 2026, marking the show’s official move to Monday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC. With a full 18-episode season and a commitment to an uninterrupted schedule, the rest of 2026 is looking bright for John Nolan and his team. Whether you’re watching live for the adrenaline or catching up on Hulu the next morning, make sure you adjust your calendar. You wouldn’t want to leave Officer Nolan hanging without backup, would you?
❓ 5 Unique FAQs After The Conclusion
Q1: Why is The Rookie airing on Mondays instead of Tuesdays now?
A1: ABC reshuffled its 2026 mid-season lineup to make room for a new drama series, RJ Decker, which will take over the Tuesday 10:00 p.m. slot in March. Moving The Rookie to Mondays allows it to benefit from the large lead-in audience of American Idol.
Q2: How many total episodes are in The Rookie Season 8?
A2: ABC has confirmed that Season 8 will consist of 18 episodes. This is a return to a more standard season length compared to the strike-shortened Season 6.
Q3: Is there a spin-off of The Rookie airing in 2026?
A3: While The Rookie: Feds was previously canceled, ABC is always evaluating its “Rookie Universe.” Currently, there is no active spin-off airing alongside Season 8, though the “Czech Mate” premiere introduced several international characters who could lead future stories.
Q4: Can I watch The Rookie live without a cable subscription?
A4: Yes! You can watch the live ABC broadcast through streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, or DirecTV Stream.
Q5: Will there be a Season 9 of The Rookie?
A5: While an official renewal hasn’t been announced as of January 2026, the show’s high ratings (nearly 9.4 million viewers for the Season 8 premiere) make a Season 9 renewal highly likely.