ABC Delays Renewals for Two Popular Police Dramas

The Rookie and Will Trent remain in limbo as the network takes its time deciding their futures.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:18pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring bold, geometric black silhouettes against a stark white background, conceptually representing the tension and uncertainty surrounding the renewal status of two popular police procedural TV shows.The uncertain futures of two of ABC's most popular police dramas leave fans and industry observers wondering about the network's programming priorities.Los Angeles Today

Deep into the current TV season, ABC has yet to renew two of its top-performing police procedural dramas, The Rookie and Will Trent, leaving fans and industry observers puzzled. Both shows have built loyal followings and strong viewership, both on linear TV and streaming, making their renewal status all the more baffling.

Why it matters

The Rookie and Will Trent represent a modern take on the classic police procedural genre, attracting new viewers to the network and helping ABC gain recognition in that space. Their continued success is important for the network, so the delay in renewal decisions is raising questions about ABC's programming strategy.

The details

The Rookie and Will Trent have been paired on ABC's Tuesday night lineup for years, but The Rookie's recent move to Mondays hasn't diminished the importance of either show. Both series debut new seasons in the winter rather than the traditional fall, a programming strategy that has paid off for ABC in terms of live, same-day, and streaming viewership. Despite their popularity and importance to the network, ABC has yet to greenlight new seasons of either show, even as other major ABC dramas like Grey's Anatomy have already been renewed.

  • The Rookie season 8 and Will Trent season 4 aired during the 2025-2026 TV season.
  • ABC typically makes renewal decisions in late spring or early summer ahead of the new fall TV season.

The players

The Rookie

A police procedural drama that follows John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, as he embarks on a new career after a life-changing event.

Will Trent

A crime drama series that follows special agent Will Trent, who was abandoned at birth and raised in Atlanta's foster care system, as he becomes a dedicated agent with the highest clearance rate.

ABC

The Disney-owned broadcast network that airs both The Rookie and Will Trent.

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What’s next

ABC is expected to make renewal decisions for both The Rookie and Will Trent in the coming weeks, ahead of the network's upfront presentations to advertisers in May. The renewals are considered likely, but the network may impose budget cuts that could lead to shorter seasons or reduced episode counts.

The takeaway

The delay in renewing two of its most popular police procedural dramas is a puzzling move by ABC, especially given the shows' strong performance both on linear TV and streaming. The network's hesitation raises questions about its programming strategy and the future of these fan-favorite series.