ABC Renews 'The Rookie' for Season 9, Cementing Its Status as a Long-Running Hit

The police procedural starring Nathan Fillion will continue its successful run on the network.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:06pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered and glittering camera lens, capturing the high-stakes and glamorous world of television production.The renewal of The Rookie for a 9th season on ABC reflects the show's enduring popularity and ability to captivate audiences across generations.Boston Today

ABC has officially renewed its hit drama series The Rookie for a ninth season, cementing the show's status as one of the network's longest-running dramas. The series, which stars Nathan Fillion as a rookie LAPD officer, has seen its audience grow in the key under-18 demographic in recent years, in part due to its popularity on TikTok. The Rookie is now ABC's third-longest-running drama, behind only the long-running Grey's Anatomy and NYPD Blue.

Why it matters

The Rookie's renewal for a ninth season is a significant milestone, as the show has become a reliable performer for ABC and has built a loyal fanbase over the years. The series' ability to attract younger viewers through platforms like TikTok also demonstrates its continued relevance and appeal to a new generation of viewers.

The details

The Rookie, which premiered in 2018, follows the story of John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD. The series has been praised for its character-driven storytelling and its exploration of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. The show's renewal for a ninth season comes as the eighth season is still airing, with the final episodes set to premiere in the coming weeks.

  • The Rookie premiered on ABC in 2018.
  • The show is currently in its eighth season, with the final episodes set to air in the first week of May 2026.
  • ABC has now renewed the series for a ninth season, which is expected to premiere later this year.

The players

Nathan Fillion

The lead actor of The Rookie, known for his roles in shows like Castle and films in the Guardians of the Galaxy and DC Extended Universe.

Alexi Hawley

The creator and showrunner of The Rookie, who is also developing a new spin-off series set in Boston.

ABC

The television network that airs The Rookie and has now renewed the series for a ninth season.

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What’s next

The final episodes of The Rookie's eighth season are set to air in the first week of May 2026, with the ninth season expected to premiere later this year.

The takeaway

The Rookie's renewal for a ninth season is a testament to the show's enduring popularity and its ability to attract a diverse audience, including a growing number of younger viewers. The series' success also highlights the continued demand for character-driven police procedurals on network television.