John Nolan isn't hanging up the badge just yet. If you’ve been scouring the internet wondering is there another season of The Rookie, the short answer is a definitive yes. ABC officially gave the green light for Season 7 back in April 2024. It’s happening. But there’s a catch that has a lot of fans scratching their heads—the timing. Usually, we're used to seeing Nathan Fillion’s face back on our screens by September or October. This time around, the precinct is staying dark a bit longer.
ABC decided to hold the premiere for the midseason. That means instead of a fall launch, we’re looking at a January 2025 return. Why the wait? It’s basically a strategic move by the network. By pushing the premiere to January, ABC can run the entire season straight through without those annoying three-week gaps for holidays or random award shows. You get a weekly dose of Mid-Wilshire drama with zero interruptions. Honestly, after the strike-shortened Season 6, a full, uninterrupted run sounds like a dream, even if we have to be patient for a few more months.
Why Season 7 is Taking So Long
The television landscape is still feeling the aftershocks of the dual Hollywood strikes from 2023. It messed up the rhythm. For The Rookie, this delay isn't just about catching up; it’s about "eventizing" the show. Craig Erwich, the Disney Television Group President, basically said they wanted to give the show a "linear trampoline." By launching in January, they can pair it with other heavy hitters and keep the momentum high.
It’s a gamble. Fans are used to their fall rituals. But let's be real—nothing is worse than getting invested in a cliffhanger only to see "New Episode in 21 Days" on your DVR. Season 7 is slated for 18 episodes. That’s a return to form compared to the 10 episodes we got in Season 6. More episodes mean more time for those deep-dive character arcs we actually care about.
The Cast Shuffle: Who’s Staying and Who’s Going?
You can't have the show without Nathan Fillion. He’s back as John Nolan, obviously. Alongside him, the heavy hitters are confirmed: Mekia Cox (Nyla Harper), Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen), Eric Winter (Tim Bradford), and Richard T. Jones (Wade Grey). But things are getting a little shaky with some of the supporting cast.
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Tru Valentino, who played Aaron Thorsen, is officially out. He posted a heartfelt message on Instagram essentially saying he was moving on to new chapters. It’s a bummer. Thorsen had a unique "rich kid turned cop" vibe that added a different flavor to the locker room. To fill the void, the show is bringing in two new rookies. Think of it as a soft reboot of the training dynamic.
- Derryck Lawrence (played by Deric Augustine) is one of the new faces. He’s a transfer from a small-town department, which should play well against the chaos of Los Angeles.
- Miles (played by Patrick Keleher) is the other newcomer. He’s a "legacy" hire, meaning he’s got family in the force.
Watching Nolan—who was once the oldest rookie—now mentor these kids is the kind of full-circle storytelling that keeps the show grounded. It’s also a way to keep the "Rookie" title relevant even though the main cast are all veterans now.
What Happens Next for Chenford?
If you're here for the "Chenford" drama, buckle up. Season 6 was a rough ride for Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford. They broke up, and it wasn't one of those "maybe we’ll fix it in ten minutes" TV breakups. It felt heavy. It felt real. Tim is dealing with some serious internal demons regarding his past in the military and his own sense of self-worth.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley has been pretty vocal about not rushing them back together. In the writers' room, they know that the tension is often more interesting than the domestic bliss. For Season 7, expect a lot of "forced proximity." They still work in the same precinct. They still respect each other. But the path back to romance is going to be littered with awkward elevator rides and professional disagreements. It’s painful to watch, but it’s good TV.
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The Monica Stevens Threat
Then there’s the villain problem. Monica Stevens, played by Bridget Regan, has evolved into a formidable Big Bad. She’s smart, she’s ruthless, and she has her claws in everything. The Season 6 finale left her in a position of power, having escaped the immediate consequences of her actions.
Expect her to be the looming shadow over the first half of Season 7. The show does its best work when there’s a serialized threat that ties the "case of the week" procedural elements together. Monica isn't just a criminal; she’s a legal genius. That makes her harder to take down than a guy with a gun.
Is There Another Season of The Rookie After Seven?
This is where things get interesting. Ratings for The Rookie are surprisingly robust. It’s one of those rare shows that actually grew its audience over time, partly thanks to its massive success on streaming platforms like Hulu. People find it, binge it, and then show up for the live broadcasts.
While ABC hasn't officially renewed it for Season 8 yet, the signs are positive. Usually, when a show hits its seventh season, the contracts for the leads have to be renegotiated, which gets expensive. However, Fillion is a producer and seems genuinely invested in the project. As long as the numbers stay where they are—averaging several million viewers per episode—there’s no reason to think Season 7 is the end.
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Look at shows like Grey's Anatomy or Castle. If the formula works and the lead actor stays happy, these procedurals can run for a decade. The "rookie" concept is evergreen because they can just keep bringing in new classes of trainees while the senior officers move up the ranks.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since January is still a way off, you might need a fix of something similar. If you haven't checked out The Rookie: Feds, it’s worth a look, though it was unfortunately canceled after one season. It still exists in the same universe and features some fun crossovers.
If you want the grit of LAPD life without the "blue sky" feel of The Rookie, Southland is the gold standard, though it's much darker. For something with the same "mentor-student" vibe, The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix hits some of those same procedural beats, albeit in a courtroom instead of a patrol car.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Don't just sit there checking the calendar. Here is how you can stay ahead of the curve as we approach the Season 7 premiere:
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Eric Winter and Melissa O'Neil are notoriously active on Instagram and TikTok. They often post behind-the-scenes "BTS" clips that give hints about filming locations and upcoming stunts.
- Rewatch Season 6 on Hulu: Pay close attention to the finale’s final ten minutes. There are small visual cues regarding Oscar Hutchinson and Jason (Nolan’s ex-wife’s husband) that will definitely play into the Season 7 opening arc.
- Set a DVR Alert: If you still use traditional cable, set your "Record New Episodes" alert for January. Sometimes the time slots shift during midseason shuffles.
- Monitor the Spin-off News: There are always whispers about new spin-offs. While Feds didn't stick, the universe is ripe for a "The Rookie: Metro" or something focused on the specialized units.
The bottom line? The precinct is still open. John Nolan is still learning, still teaching, and still getting into more trouble than any one person should experience in a lifetime. We just have to wait for the New Year to see how he gets out of the latest mess.