ABC Greenlights Pilot for 'The Rookie: North' Spinoff

The new Pacific Northwest-set series will star Jay Ellis as a rookie cop in Washington state.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:08am

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph of a shattered glass surface reflecting the colorful lights of a city skyline at night, conveying the intense, high-stakes world of law enforcement that the new spinoff series will explore.The spinoff series 'The Rookie: North' aims to bring the same high-stakes drama and character-driven storytelling of the original to a new setting in the Pacific Northwest.Vancouver Today

ABC has ordered a pilot for a new spinoff of the hit crime drama series 'The Rookie,' titled 'The Rookie: North.' The new show will be set in Washington state and will star Jay Ellis as a rookie police officer, similar to the premise of the original series led by Nathan Fillion. Production has already wrapped on the pilot, and the network is expected to make a decision on a full series order in the coming months.

Why it matters

The Rookie has become a consistent performer for ABC, and the network is looking to expand the franchise by taking the action to the Pacific Northwest. This spinoff represents an opportunity to further develop the world of the show and introduce new characters and storylines for fans.

The details

According to reports, 'The Rookie: North' will follow the story of Alex Holland, played by Jay Ellis, as he embarks on a new career as a police officer in Washington state after a 'disappointing midlife crisis.' The series will see Alex and his team tackle crime across the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, 'from the urban coast to the rural forest.' Actress Karen Fukuhara has been confirmed to play Alex's training officer, Leah Mizuno.

  • The Rookie: North pilot was filmed in Vancouver, Canada in the late winter or early spring of 2026.
  • ABC is expected to make a decision on whether to order 'The Rookie: North' to series by the end of April or beginning of May 2026.

The players

Nathan Fillion

The star of the original 'The Rookie' series, which has been a hit for ABC.

Jay Ellis

The actor who will play the lead role of rookie cop Alex Holland in the 'The Rookie: North' spinoff.

Karen Fukuhara

The actress who has been cast in the role of training officer Leah Mizuno in 'The Rookie: North.'

Alexi Hawley

The showrunner of 'The Rookie' who is overseeing the development of the new spinoff series.

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What they’re saying

“I just got back from shooting the pilot in Vancouver for The Rookie: North. It's a spin-off of a show called The Rookie. The original is led by Nathan Fillion, and he's been a friend of mine for years. He's just a wonderful human being. He's so kind-hearted, so I knew stepping into this project, I was in good hands, because everything trickles down from the number one.”

— Karen Fukuhara, Actress

What’s next

ABC is expected to announce a decision on whether to order 'The Rookie: North' to series by the end of April or beginning of May 2026.

The takeaway

The expansion of 'The Rookie' franchise to the Pacific Northwest represents an opportunity for the network to further develop the world of the show and introduce new characters and storylines for fans. The success of the original series has paved the way for this spinoff, which could become a new hit for ABC if it is greenlit to series.