Wait, What? The Rookie Season 7 Just Changed Its Schedule – Here’s Why!

Fans have enjoyed a new episode of The Rookie season 7 every Tuesday night since January 2025, but the latest episode will air at a new time.

Since The Rookie season 7, episode 1, “The Shot” premiered on January 7th, 2025, LAPD officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and his team have solved more than a few complex cases and seen big personal shifts, too. Episode 15, “A Deadly Secret,” featured a true crime documentary format, and several familiar villains have shown their faces this season, too. Before viewers check out the latest episode, they’re going to want to find out when it’s airing.

The Rookie Season 7, Episode 16 Airing At A New Time

According to Deadline, The Rookie season 7, episode 16, “The Return,” is airing at 10 p.m., not 9 p.m. E.T., on ABC on Tuesday April 29th, 2025. The time change is because ABC’s Terry Moran will interview President Donald Trump in a program called President Trump the First 100 Days: The Interview in the Oval Office. That interview will air at 8 p.m. E.T. This is a time change that is only expected to affect this particular episode. Will Trent, which airs at 8 p.m. typically, will air at 9 p.m., which is when The Rookie season 7 usually airs.

The Rookie season 7’s previous episodes have explored Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) and Nolan’s hopes to adopt a child, along with her complicated feelings about the death of her abusive ex-husband Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee). Villain Malvado (Jimmy Gonzalez) has also a significant character this season. The past 15 episodes have combined everything that fans enjoy about the series as each episode dives into the busy careers of the LAPD officers along with the dramatic changes in their lives when they’re off the clock.

Earlier in April 2025, Deadline reported that Deric Augustine, who plays Miles Penn, was made a series regular. Miles joined the team earlier this season and has had an interesting dynamic with Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), a more experienced cop who has become a kind of mentor figure to him.

Since The Rookie was renewed for season 8, fans can expect to see more of Miles, but there’s a lot that needs to happen in the last few episodes of the season. Viewers anticipate a resolution between Tim and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), but if that doesn’t happen, fans will be even more excited to watch the eighth season as hopefully it won’t be too long before they reunite.

The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley gave an interview to TV Insider and mentioned that Monica (Bridget Regan), who appeared in season 7, episode 11, “Speed,” will come back for the finale. Hawley said:

“We’re sort of driving towards a big splashy episode, which we like to do obviously at the beginning and the end of the season. I think ultimately it will relaunch potentially some laid aside storylines, but also just really put Nolan in sort of primal jeopardy and then also just see where our station might be headed in Season 8.”

The Rookie season 7, episode 16, “The Return,” focuses on Lucy taking an exam to become a sergeant, along with a case involving an influencer. While some characters have left the series, fans continue to be invested in Nolan and his teammates, who are interesting and dynamic characters. The next few episodes will likely lead to a fascinating and entertaining finale.

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