When The Rookie premiered in 2018, its charm stemmed from a simple but effective concept: an aging man starting over in law enforcement, set against the sprawling backdrop of Los Angeles. Over seven seasons, the series built its reputation on character-driven storytelling, moral complexity, and a healthy balance of action and humor. But as The Rookie prepares for its eighth season — a landmark year for any network procedural — many fans and critics believe it’s time for the show to take a creative risk.
That risk might just involve looking sideways at another franchise that’s mastered the art of reinvention: NCIS.
CBS’s NCIS: Sydney, which premiered to strong ratings and positive reviews, demonstrated how a well-worn procedural format can feel new again by shifting its perspective, embracing international storytelling, and grounding its narrative in cultural authenticity. For The Rookie, which has already teased overseas filming and cross-departmental themes, borrowing key elements from NCIS’ global strategy could be exactly what it needs to evolve without losing its essence.
The NCIS Playbook: Fresh Setting, Familiar DNA
When NCIS: Sydney launched, many doubted whether yet another spinoff could survive in a crowded market. But its success lay in its dual focus: maintaining the procedural familiarity fans expected while immersing the story in a distinctive environment. By integrating Australian law, culture, and tone, the show didn’t just replicate NCIS — it redefined it.
That balance of recognizable structure and localized flavor breathed new life into the franchise, proving that reinvention doesn’t always require a full reboot. Instead, it required perspective — a willingness to explore new thematic and geographical terrain without abandoning the emotional truths that made the original resonate.
It’s a lesson The Rookie could benefit from as it enters Season 8.
While the series has explored special assignments, undercover arcs, and federal collaborations, its storytelling remains anchored in Mid-Wilshire precinct drama. By following NCIS’ lead — broadening its scope and embracing a new operational framework — The Rookie could re-energize itself and expand its universe organically.
The Rookie’s Identity Crisis
The end of Season 7 left The Rookie in a transitional phase. With several main characters’ arcs reaching resolution and rumors of location changes for cost and creative reasons, the show faces a familiar television dilemma: how to stay fresh without losing its soul.
Some fans have noted that The Rookie’s tone has shifted from heartfelt and introspective to increasingly procedural and high-octane — a pivot that, while exciting, risks blurring it into the sea of generic cop dramas.
“The Rookie used to stand out because it had heart,” wrote one critic for Collider. “Lately, it feels like it’s chasing the adrenaline of S.W.A.T. rather than the optimism that made it unique.”
Season 8 offers a rare opportunity to course-correct — and that’s where NCIS: Sydney’s global model could offer inspiration. By embracing a sense of scope and international collaboration, The Rookie could return to exploring moral gray zones and cultural intersections, rather than relying solely on familiar LAPD beats.
How a Global Shift Could Work
We already know from production reports that The Rookie will film at least partially in Europe for Season 8. Rather than treating these sequences as one-off narrative detours, the writers could turn that into a larger framework — perhaps a temporary interagency task force storyline, where Nolan and his team are seconded to an international collaboration against cybercrime or trafficking.
That structure would mirror NCIS: Sydney’s joint-agency premise, combining local policing instincts with global context. It would also allow The Rookie to explore ethical questions about cross-jurisdictional justice, something few network procedurals attempt.
“The world of policing is more connected than ever,” showrunner Alexi Hawley hinted in an interview earlier this year. “We’re interested in what happens when these characters are taken out of their comfort zone and forced to adapt.”
Such a storyline would give The Rookie space to deepen its thematic scope — testing Nolan’s moral compass and challenging each character’s understanding of duty and loyalty. It would also naturally introduce new recurring characters from other countries or agencies, refreshing the ensemble dynamic without feeling forced.
Why This Strategy Makes Sense for ABC
From a network perspective, borrowing NCIS’ model is both creative and strategic. Procedurals with international or interagency hooks perform well in syndication and streaming because they appeal to global audiences.
ABC, which distributes The Rookie internationally through Disney+, is keenly aware of this advantage. Expanding The Rookie’s narrative universe beyond Los Angeles could boost global engagement — something essential as linear TV ratings continue to decline.
Moreover, the network’s recent scheduling shift, which moved The Rookie to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, aligns perfectly with a slightly darker, more serialized tone. A global task-force arc could justify that evolution, giving the show more narrative weight while preserving its emotional accessibility.
Character Potential in Broader Storytelling
One of The Rookie’s greatest strengths has always been its ensemble — a mix of idealists, pragmatists, and survivors who bring diverse perspectives to every case. A global or interagency storyline could naturally expand that ensemble and deepen existing relationships.
Imagine Nolan navigating international bureaucracy with his trademark empathy, or Tim Bradford confronting military-style hierarchies abroad. Lucy Chen, who has evolved from a tentative rookie to a confident undercover officer, could find herself in high-stakes cultural negotiations, testing her instincts and adaptability.
Even supporting characters like Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) or Angela Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) could thrive in storylines exploring the moral tensions between justice and jurisdiction. These are precisely the kinds of arcs that have kept NCIS compelling across its many incarnations.
A Blueprint for Longevity
Procedurals that endure beyond six or seven seasons often do so because they evolve strategically. NCIS, Law & Order, and CSI all extended their lifespans by expanding scope while retaining core identity. The Rookie now stands at a similar crossroads.
If Season 8 embraces the NCIS model — focusing on international collaboration, moral complexity, and grounded human emotion — it could position itself not just for survival, but for long-term relevance in a shifting TV landscape.
As television audiences become more global and less loyal to single networks, franchises that feel both familiar and expansive are best poised to thrive. The Rookie doesn’t need to abandon its Los Angeles roots — it just needs to plant new ones in fresh soil.
Conclusion: Evolution, Not Reinvention
Ultimately, borrowing from NCIS isn’t about imitation; it’s about adaptation. The same creative DNA that made The Rookie resonate — resilience, reinvention, and the human cost of duty — can flourish in new contexts.
For a show built on the idea that it’s never too late to start over, Season 8 represents that lesson in its purest form. If John Nolan can find purpose in change, perhaps The Rookie can too — by learning from those who’ve mastered the art of staying fresh without losing their heart.
