Why Bringing Back Tim & Lucy’s Replacements Could Be The Redemption Arc Season 8 Needs

The Rookie 0

ABC axing the spinoff of The Rookie was disappointing, but the original series can make up for the disappointment by bringing back two fan-favorite characters (who also happen to be The Rookie: Feds‘ version of Chenford). Given the success the police procedural show has had since its premiere in 2018, it makes sense that the network would want to turn it into a franchise. Unfortunately, ABC canceled The Rookie: Feds after only one season in 2023. Now, The Rookie stands alone as it looks ahead to season 8 in the 2025–2026 broadcast TV season.

Since ABC nixed The Rookie: Feds from its schedule, some of the characters have sporadically crossed over to the spinoff’s parent series. However, they never stay for very long. The FBI agents usually pop in to help the LAPD solve a case and then leave just as fast. Plus, the most important character from The Rookie: Feds, Niecy Nash-Betts’ Simone Clark, has yet to be seen since the offshoot’s finale. Since getting the ever-busy Nash-Betts onboard for just one episode would be tough, The Rookie season 8 can do the next best thing by reuniting Tim and Lucy 2.0.

Laura & Brendon Were On Their Way To Becoming The Next Chenford In The Rookie: Feds

The 2 Rookie: Feds Characters Mirrored Tim & Lucy

Based on how vital the relationship between Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen has been to The Rookie, one would only expect The Rookie: Feds to try to duplicate their romance. Going off of season 1 alone, it appears as if Britt Robertson’s Laura Stensen and Kevin Zegers’ Brendon Acres were to be the spinoff’s version of Chenford (aka Tim and Lucy). Laura started as Brendon’s training agent in the crime drama, as he was a rookie within the FBI, just like Simone. Of course, Laura and Brendon had different backstories from Tim and Lucy, but they shared a similar dynamic.

Laura and Brendon were quite different, and their personalities often clashed (à la Chenford in The Rookie). However, as everyone knows, opposites attract — well, at least they do on TV. Over the course of The Rookie: Feds‘ 22 episodes, Laura and Brendon formed a bond that suited them well during work hours and outside of them.

While it’ll be a miracle if we get to see Laura and Brendon’s story play out after The Rookie: Feds was canceled, it’s not impossible.

Perhaps their connection was strictly platonic, but so was Tim and Lucy’s in The Rookie season 1 (and the three and a half seasons after that). It was also clear from the jump that Laura and Brendon had chemistry. While it’ll be a miracle if we get to see Laura and Brendon’s story play out after The Rookie: Feds was canceled, it’s not impossible.

The Rookie Can Finish Laura & Brendon’s Cut Romance

The Rookie Spinoff Never Got A Real Chance To Explore A Possible Romance Between Laura & Brendon

In April 2025, ScreenRant‘s Rachel Foertsch spoke with The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley about the possibility of bringing Laura and Brendon back. As Hawley mentioned, the original police procedural series has featured a handful of The Rookie: Feds cameos. However, the show hasn’t thoroughly explored any of the characters’ storylines after the offshoot was prematurely canceled. And it hasn’t brought Laura and Brendon together in any close or meaningful capacity. Hawley said:

“Down the road, for sure, I’d like to see [Laura and Brendon] together again. Some of it is literally just about availability and stuff like that. We’ve had Felix back, we’ve had Antoinette and him back as well. We just haven’t managed to land the right story with the right availability to get them back together. But I always really liked them.”

Laura and Brendon were among The Rookie: Feds cameos in The Rookie season 6 finale. They were joined by Matt Garza when the LAPD and FBI joined forces to (unsuccessfully) take down Monica Stevens. During the hour, though, Laura and Brendon didn’t have any memorable or personal moments. They were strictly there for a job, meaning they were seemingly only there for show instead of to right the wrongs of the spinoff’s cancelation. But that could change in The Rookie season 8. Laura and Brendon could return in a multi-episode arc, and fans can finally see their story play out.

How The Rookie Season 8 Can Incorporate Laura & Brendon Into Its Story

Britt Robertson & Kevin Zegers Have Already Reprised Their Feds Roles In The Rookie

The Rookie‘s characters often team up with the FBI when working on cases. After the events of the season 7 finale (which featured the return of Monica), it would make sense for them to do so again. But this time, The Rookie: Feds‘ characters could stick around for more than one episode, opening the door for the ABC series to finish what the spinoff started with Laura and Brendon’s story.

If anything, season 8 can tease that there is something more between the couple than just a professional relationship or a friendship. Laura and Brendon don’t have to become full-time characters, of course. However, The Rookie would be wise to bring them back for Monica’s case and take advantage of the opportunity to further develop Laura and Brendon’s relationship.

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