New Spinoff from ‘The Rookie’ in Early Development at ABC

ABC is exploring a second spinoff from its popular series ‘The Rookie,’ according to Deadline. Unlike the previous offshoot that ventured into the FBI’s territory, this new project stays closer to the original’s roots in police drama.

‘The Rookie,’ starring Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, originally depicted a man starting over as the oldest rookie in the LAPD, a theme of midlife transformation that this new spinoff will also embrace.

Alexi Hawley, creator of ‘The Rookie,’ is behind the script for this potential series, which is set in Washington state.

It follows a male police officer who, like Nolan, is tackling a significant life change in what’s described as his second act.

Hawley is joining forces again with Fillion, who besides starring in the original, will serve as an executive producer on the new project alongside other ‘The Rookie’ executive producers Bill Norcross and Michelle Chapman. Norcross’s real-life experience initially inspired the flagship series.

Production is in collaboration with Lionsgate Television and 20th Television. Lionsgate recently expanded its portfolio by acquiring The Rookie producer eOne, indicating a strategic move to broaden ‘The Rookie’ franchise.

As ‘The Rookie’ prepares to launch its seventh season on January 7, it remains a strong performer on ABC and has seen a surge in viewership on Hulu, where it ranks as one of the top dramas.

Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich noted earlier this year that the series has accumulated over 500 million hours viewed on Hulu since its debut in 2018, with a substantial increase in the past year alone.

This development strategy marks a shift from ABC’s approach to the first spinoff, ‘The Rookie: Feds.’

That series, which featured Niecy Nash-Betts and was created by Hawley and Terence Paul Winter, began with a two-episode backdoor pilot during ‘The Rookie’s’ 2021-22 season but saw its run shortened by the 2023 Hollywood strikes.

In related news, Hawley, who also helmed Netflix’s ‘The Recruit’ starring Noah Centineo, is set to return for a second season of that series on January 30. He is represented by the Shuman Company and attorney Adam Kaller.

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