ABC has officially announced a new spinoff series titled The Rookie: North, set to feature Jay Ellis as its lead. This exciting news, revealed on November 24, highlights Ellis’s role as Alex Holland, who takes on the challenge of becoming the oldest rookie cop in his area, similar to Nathan Fillion’s character in the original series, The Rookie.
Ellis celebrated the announcement with a heartfelt post on Instagram, sharing a video of Fillion expressing his excitement and welcoming him to the Rookie family. In his post, Ellis humorously highlighted the challenges he faces, such as finding his locker and preparing for daily ice baths for his knees and back, which resonates with the physical demands of police work. He also expressed his gratitude to Fillion and Alexi Hawley, who will write and direct the spinoff.
Nathan Fillion, who stars in The Rookie, posted his own congratulatory message, stating, “…and the Rookie-verse grows. Welcome, Mr. Ellis! You’re gonna love this ride!” This camaraderie between the two actors sets a positive tone for the upcoming series.
The official synopsis of The Rookie: North reveals that after a violent home invasion reignites a sense of purpose in Alex, he joins the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie. The series promises to explore themes of personal redemption and the challenges of policing in an area where help may not always be readily available.
Jay Ellis, best known for his role in Insecure, recently starred in Peacock’s All Her Fault and will also appear in Mindy Kaling’s new comedy series, Not Suitable for Work.
The Rookie: North will be the second spinoff from the successful original series, following The Rookie: Feds, which starred Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy. Although Feds was canceled in 2023, the continued expansion of The Rookie franchise highlights the show’s enduring popularity.
Fans can look forward to The Rookie season 8, which premieres on January 6 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. The addition of Ellis as a leading character in this spinoff offers a fresh perspective and exciting new storylines within the Rookie universe, promising to keep the audience engaged and entertained.