For years, The Rookie has stood as one of ABC’s most reliable crime dramas—equal parts character-driven storytelling and fast-paced, high-stakes policing. So when news broke that ABC is once again exploring franchise expansion for the series, longtime fans weren’t surprised. After all, The Rookie has been here before.
What’s happening now is simply the newest chapter of a much bigger story: the show’s ongoing effort to evolve from a single hit into an interconnected universe.
A Universe That Nearly Took Flight
While many viewers associate The Rookie with the success of The Rookie: Feds, the truth is that ABC’s interest in expansion began long before the Niecy Nash-led spinoff arrived. Behind the scenes, producers and executives had been discussing a broader franchise dating all the way back to Season 3.
According to insiders at the time, various ideas were floated—everything from a SWAT-focused series to a legal procedural centered on the district attorneys who frequently interact with the LAPD. Some ideas progressed into active development; others were quietly shelved.
The most advanced early concept was a show that would have followed a specialized task force working alongside Nolan’s division. Although scripts were reportedly written, ABC wasn’t ready to commit. Instead, the network waited, eventually choosing to test franchise potential through backdoor pilots, much like Grey’s Anatomy did with Station 19.
Then Came ‘The Rookie: Feds’
The arrival of The Rookie: Feds in 2022 marked the franchise’s boldest expansion attempt yet. Led by Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark—an older recruit entering a federal world as unpredictable as Nolan’s LAPD journey—it was the perfect thematic mirror to the flagship show.
The crossover energy worked. Storylines wove between both series. Audiences enjoyed seeing shared villains, joint missions, and the distinct chemistry between the two casts. For a brief moment, The Rookie looked poised to become ABC’s next major shared universe.
But despite promising beginnings, Feds was abruptly canceled after only one season. The reasons included scheduling challenges, budget constraints, and the ongoing Hollywood industry shakeups that affected nearly every broadcast network show. Fans were disappointed. The franchise expansion, once so full of momentum, seemed to stall.
Why ABC Still Wants a Franchise
Even with setbacks, ABC hasn’t given up on the idea. And that makes sense. In today’s TV landscape, franchise storytelling is one of the most reliable ways to build viewer loyalty. NBC has its three Chicago shows. CBS has FBI, NCIS, and Fire Country in development. ABC’s The Rookie remains one of the few properties with both the ratings strength and the world-building potential to support something bigger.
Executives know this. Producers know this. And viewers—especially the show’s passionate social-media community—absolutely know this.
Will the Next Attempt Finally Succeed?
Recent rumors suggest a new spinoff is again being discussed—this time possibly connecting to a returning character or a division of the LAPD fans haven’t yet fully explored. The details are under wraps, but one thing is clear: ABC believes The Rookie still has untapped storytelling territory.
And frankly, they’re right.
Whether a future series focuses on undercover operations, detective bureaus, or a federal-local task force hybrid, there’s room for expansion as long as it preserves what makes the original show resonate: grounded storytelling, emotional stakes, and relatable characters balancing danger with humanity.
A Franchise That Refuses to Fade
Even though earlier attempts stumbled, The Rookie continues proving it has the audience and universe depth to go bigger. The cancellation of Feds wasn’t the end—it was simply one iteration that didn’t land the way ABC hoped.
Now, with industry shifts stabilizing and demand for interconnected series growing again, the timing may finally be right.
One thing is certain: The Rookie has tried to launch a wider franchise before… and it’s getting ready to try again. Whether this next chapter marks a full-fledged expansion or a carefully tested experiment, fans can expect the world of The Rookie to grow—one way or another.
