ABC’s long-running police procedural series The Rookie has returned for its seventh season, but will the show score a season 8 renewal? Created by Alex Hawley, the show concerns John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), a man in his 40s who decides to become a police officer after assisting his local police. Relocating to Los Angeles, Nolan becomes the oldest rookie in the history of the force, but soon learns that police work comes with bigger challenges than he ever imagined. With its mix of personal drama and police procedural excitement, The Rookie was destined to become a TV staple.
Continuing to build bigger and more elaborate storylines across its seven seasons, the latest outing finds the show in a state of flux as some relationships take the next step, while others have crumbled. This is par for the course for a show like The Rookie, and is the sort of over-the-top drama that keeps viewers engaged week after week. While the future of The Rookie seems to be set in stone (at least for the time being), ABC has yet to order season 8. However, season 7 hasn’t been pitched as the last outing for John and the team.
The Rookie Season 8 Is Not Confirmed Yet
It’s Only A Matter Of Time Before ABC Renews The Show
Despite being one of TV’s most popular cop shows, ABC has yet to order another season of The Rookie. Pushing its way into TV staple status, the future of The Rookie seems secure, and there’s little doubt that John and the LAPD will be back for at least one more outing. While the show has been on a generally downward trend in the ratings department in recent seasons, The Rookie is still putting up strong numbers that would make it competitive enough to justify its spot on the schedule.
season 8 seems like a near certainty, even if it turns out to be the last season.
What remains to be seen is whether the lengthy delay between seasons 6 and 7 will have an impact on viewership data. Though absence does generally make viewers want the show to return even more, audiences can be particularly fickle in the modern age of streaming. Even if ABC has plans to wind down their hit cop series, they likely wouldn’t cancel it without giving the show a proper send-off. Since season 7 hasn’t been billed as the final outing, season 8 seems like a near certainty, even if it turns out to be the last season.
The Rookie season 7 premiered on January 7, 2025.
The Rookie Season 8 Cast Details
John & The Rest Of The LAPD Should Return
While the cast of The Rookie has seen quite a few changes over the years, there has been a consistent core that has stuck around for nearly a decade. Leading the show as the titular rookie is Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, and his new wife, Bailey Nune, will again be played by Jenna Dewan. Longtime detective Angela Lopez (played by Alyssa Diaz) should be back, as will her husband Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore). One of the newest rookies on the force, Tru Valentino’s Aaron Thorsen, likely won’t be back in season 8 because he left the show in season 6.
Led by Nathan Fillion, The Rookie cast is full of talented actors and recognizable faces. But which characters do they play?
Richard T. Jones should return as watch-commander Wade Grey, as should relative newcomer Celina Juarez (played by Lisseth Chavez). Starting off way back in season 2 as Nolan’s training officer, Mekia Cox’s Nyla Harper has transitioned to a more multifaceted role throughout the series, and that will continue into season 8. Likewise, undercover agent Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) should be back on hand, even if her relationship with Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) is on the rocks, and they may never get back together again.
The show also employs a wide range of guest stars and supporting characters, but it’s difficult to predict who that could be in season 8. While there are characters and storylines carrying over from season 6 into season 7, those will likely be resolved by the time season 8 rolls around.
The Rookie Season 8 Story Details
New Cases For Season 8
At this early juncture, it’s difficult to guess what will happen in The Rookie season 8. Since the finale of the previous season tends to weigh heavily on the ongoing storylines, it stands to reason that season 7’s ending will lay out the roadmap for season 8. Since season 7 hasn’t ended yet, it’s only a matter of speculation as to what happens in season 8, but there are a few constants that have remained throughout. A host of exciting cases are expected each week, and the relationships between the characters will certainly be tested.
John and Bailey’s decision to adopt might play out in season 7, or it could continue into season 8 as it spirals into some sort of drama. Likewise, less stable relationships (like the one between Lucy and Tim) could continue to grow and change, or new bonds could form. If new characters join The Rookie season 8 (which they almost certainly will), that opens the door for even more intrigue going forward.
