The Rookie: North Spinoff Series Set to Differ from Flagship Franchise
The Rookie, a cop drama series that debuted in 2018, has been renewed for an eighth season, with the premiere scheduled for January 6. In addition to the main show, a spinoff series called The Rookie: North is in development, set to debut in 2026. Showrunner Alexi Hawley recently spoke with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender about the differences between The Rookie: North and the flagship series.
The Rookie has had seven completed seasons thus far and has gained a significant following. The upcoming spinoff series, The Rookie: North, is expected to offer a fresh perspective on the cop drama genre. According to Hawley, the principal difference between the two series is the setting, with The Rookie: North being set in the Pacific Northwest. This will give the show a unique visual feel, distinct from the typical big-city cop shows.
A New Setting for a Familiar Genre
Hawley notes that most cop shows are set in major hubs like Boston, LA, and Chicago, but he wanted The Rookie: North to feel like the “America that most people live in.” The show will be set in Pierce County, Washington, which offers a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. This setting will provide a different vibe from the main series and allow for unique storylines and characters.
Lucy Chen in The RookieABC (via MoviesStillsDb)
Building on the Success of The Rookie
The Rookie: North is not the franchise’s first attempt at a spinoff series. The Rookie: Feds, which aired for a single season from 2022 to 2023, was set in an LA field office and kept the same city setting as the flagship series. However, The Rookie: North will offer a distinct departure from the typical cop show setting, allowing it to stake its own identity and potentially attract a new audience.
What to Expect from The Rookie: North
According to Hawley, The Rookie: North will still feature the same familiar elements as the main series, including the patrol show format. However, the new setting will provide opportunities for unique storylines and characters. It will be interesting to see how the spinoff series leans into the Pacific Northwest setting and whether it can establish itself as a distinct entity within the franchise.
The release date for The Rookie: North has not been officially announced, but it is expected to debut in 2026. With Alexi Hawley at the helm as showrunner, fans of the franchise can expect a high-quality series that builds on the success of The Rookie.
Release Date October 16, 2018
Showrunner Alexi Hawley
