Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter connect the two ABC dramas as Troian Bellisario and Dulé Hill join the original series.
The Rookie universe is expanding, and several familiar faces will help introduce its next chapter. Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil, and Eric Winter will cross over into the upcoming ABC spinoff, The Rookie: North, starring Jay Ellis.
The franchise also revealed new guest stars for The Rookie Season 9. Troian Bellisario and Dulé Hill will join the original drama as it prepares to launch alongside the new series.
The announcements came during the franchise’s New York Comic Con panel. Creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley discussed the two shows and previewed how their worlds will connect.
Fillion appears in footage from the spinoff on a FaceTime call with Ellis’ character, Alex Holland. His appearance brings John Nolan into the new series’ pilot. O’Neil and Winter, who play Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford, will also make appearances in The Rookie: North.
The expansion follows a character who has already gone from an unlikely recruit to someone responsible for guiding others. Nolan was once the oldest rookie in the LAPD. He now draws on his life experience, determination, and humor while helping the next generation of first responders.
His connection to Alex creates a link between the Los Angeles-based drama and a new officer beginning his career in Washington.
Troian Bellisario And Dulé Hill Join The Rookie
Bellisario will play Stevie, a recently divorced mother starting a new career as an LAPD rookie. Nolan will serve as her training officer.
The character brings another fresh start into a series that began with Nolan making a major career change of his own. Stevie enters police work while rebuilding her personal life, giving his next training assignment a connection to his own journey.
Fans know Bellisario from Pretty Little Liars and On Call. She also has a connection to The Rookie behind the camera, having directed the Season 8 episode “The Thinker.”
Hill, whose television credits include Psych and The West Wing, will appear as a new watch commander.
They join an established ensemble that includes Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Jenna Dewan, Shawn Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez and Deric Augustine. Fillion, O’Neil and Winter remain central to the original series while also helping connect it to the spinoff.
Jay Ellis Leads The Rookie: North In Washington
The Rookie: North follows Alex Holland, a man whose life changes after a violent home invasion. The experience pushes him to confront a history of failed commitments and pursue a new purpose.
Alex joins the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie. He must earn the confidence of his training officer and fellow recruits while proving to himself that he can follow through.
The setting takes the franchise into a different working environment. Alex’s patrol area stretches from urban coastal communities to rural forests, where help can take longer to arrive. ABC’s premise places that distance at the center of the challenges facing its new recruit.
Ellis leads a cast that includes Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe and Malik Watson.
Hawley serves as writer and executive producer. Fillion also executive produces alongside Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross and Michelle Chapman, while Ellis serves as a producer. Lionsgate Television produces both series in partnership with 20th Television.
ABC Sets A New Night For The Rookie Franchise
The expansion arrives after a strong finish for the original show. ABC reported that the Season 8 finale reached 9.25 million viewers after seven days across ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and digital platforms.
The total topped the previous season’s finale by 4%. The episode also set a series streaming record over seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
THE ROOKIE Season 9 and THE ROOKIE: NORTH premiere January 6, 2027, on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
