History of The Rookie (TV series) in Timeline
The Rookie is an American police procedural TV series created by Alexi Hawley, starring Nathan Fillion as John Nolan. Nolan, a man in his 40s, becomes the oldest rookie at the LAPD. The show is based on the real-life experiences of William Norcross, who joined the LAPD in his mid-40s. The series follows Nolan and his fellow rookies as they navigate the challenges and dangers of law enforcement in Los Angeles, balancing their personal lives with the demands of their new careers. The show explores themes of second chances, ageism, and the complexities of police work.
2015: William Norcross joins LAPD
In 2015, William Norcross, the real-life LAPD officer who inspired The Rookie, moved to Los Angeles and joined the police department in his mid-40s.
October 2017: Nathan Fillion Cast as John Nolan
In October 2017, with the series order, Nathan Fillion was cast as John Nolan in The Rookie.
October 26, 2017: ABC Orders The Rookie
On October 26, 2017, ABC announced a straight-to-series order for The Rookie, starring Nathan Fillion.
January 2018: Liz Friedlander to Direct Pilot
In January 2018, Liz Friedlander signed on to direct and executive produce the pilot episode of The Rookie.
February 7, 2018: Afton Williamson and Eric Winter Join Cast
On February 7, 2018, Afton Williamson and Eric Winter were cast as Talia Bishop and Tim Bradford, respectively, for The Rookie.
March 7, 2018: Production on Pilot Begins
Production on The Rookie pilot began on March 7, 2018, with filming in Los Angeles, Oxnard, Burbank, and New York City.
October 16, 2018: The Rookie Premieres
On October 16, 2018, The Rookie, produced by 20th Television and Lionsgate Television, premiered on ABC.
November 5, 2018: The Rookie Picked Up For Full Season
On November 5, 2018, The Rookie was picked up for a full season of 20 episodes.
May 10, 2019: The Rookie Renewed For Season 2
On May 10, 2019, ABC renewed The Rookie for a second season, which premiered on September 29, 2019.
July 26, 2019: Afton Williamson Alleges Discrimination
On July 26, 2019, it was reported that Afton Williamson left The Rookie due to alleged racial discrimination and sexual harassment. Williamson claimed she was ignored when reporting incidents to showrunners.
August 4, 2019: Afton Williamson to Leave The Rookie
On August 4, 2019, it was announced that Afton Williamson would not return for the second season of The Rookie.
August 27, 2019: The Rookie Season 1 Released on DVD
The first season of The Rookie was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 27, 2019.
September 17, 2019: Investigation Finds No Merit in Williamson's Allegations
On September 17, 2019, the results of an investigation into Afton Williamson's allegations found that they had no merit. Williamson stood by her claims, calling the results "heartbreaking."
September 29, 2019: The Rookie Season 2 Premieres
On September 29, 2019, the second season of The Rookie premiered.
October 2, 2019: Mekia Cox Joins The Rookie Cast
On October 2, 2019, Mekia Cox joined the cast of The Rookie as Nyla Harper for the second season.
October 28, 2019: The Rookie Season 2 Receives Full Season Order
On October 28, 2019, The Rookie received a full season order of 20 episodes for its second season.
January 22, 2020: The Rookie Season 1 Released on DVD in Australia
On January 22, 2020, The Rookie's first season was released on DVD in Region 4 (Australia).
May 21, 2020: The Rookie Renewed For Season 3
On May 21, 2020, ABC renewed The Rookie for a third season which premiered on January 3, 2021.
January 3, 2021: The Rookie Season 3 Premieres
On January 3, 2021, the third season of The Rookie premiered.
April 15, 2021: Shooting Incident During Filming
On April 15, 2021, police received a call about a possible shooting during filming of The Rookie in Los Angeles. No one from the show was injured, but filming was temporarily shut down.
May 14, 2021: The Rookie Renewed For Season 4
On May 14, 2021, ABC renewed The Rookie for a fourth season, which premiered on September 26, 2021.
September 26, 2021: The Rookie Season 4 Premieres
On September 26, 2021, the fourth season of The Rookie premiered.
September 27, 2021: Titus Makin Jr. Leaves The Rookie
On September 27, 2021, it was announced that Titus Makin Jr. would not be returning to The Rookie.
October 21, 2021: Live Weapons Banned From The Rookie Set
Following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, live weapons were banned from The Rookie on October 21, 2021. Airsoft guns with CGI muzzle flashes were used instead.
November 1, 2021: Jenna Dewan Promoted to Regular
On November 1, 2021, Jenna Dewan was upped to regular for season 4 of The Rookie.
February 8, 2022: ABC Orders Pilot for FBI Spin-Off
On February 8, 2022, ABC ordered a pilot for a planned FBI spin-off of The Rookie starring Niecy Nash.
March 9, 2022: Kat Foster and Felix Solis Join Spin-Off Cast
On March 9, 2022, Kat Foster and Felix Solis joined the cast of The Rookie FBI spin-off.
March 30, 2022: The Rookie Renewed For Season 5
On March 30, 2022, ABC renewed The Rookie for a fifth season, which premiered on September 25, 2022.
May 13, 2022: ABC Orders Series The Rookie: Feds
On May 13, 2022, ABC gave a series order to The Rookie: Feds.
June 2022: Britt Robertson, Kevin Zegers, and James Lesure Join The Rookie: Feds Cast
In June 2022, Britt Robertson, Kevin Zegers, and James Lesure joined the cast of The Rookie: Feds as series regulars.
July 21, 2022: Tru Valentino Joins Main Cast
On July 21, 2022, Tru Valentino joined the main cast of The Rookie for season 5.
September 25, 2022: The Rookie Season 5 Premieres
On September 25, 2022, the fifth season of The Rookie premiered.
September 27, 2022: The Rookie: Feds Aired
On September 27, 2022, The Rookie: Feds aired on ABC.
2022: The Rookie: Feds Aired
In 2022, The Rookie: Feds, a spin-off series, aired. The show followed the oldest rookie in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
April 17, 2023: The Rookie Renewed For Season 6
On April 17, 2023, ABC renewed The Rookie for a sixth season which premiered on February 20, 2024.
May 2, 2023: The Rookie: Feds Concludes Airing
On May 2, 2023, The Rookie: Feds finished airing its only season.
November 9, 2023: The Rookie: Feds Cancelled
On November 9, 2023, The Rookie: Feds was canceled after one season due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
December 14, 2023: Lisseth Chavez Promoted to Regular
On December 14, 2023, Lisseth Chavez was promoted to a series regular for season 6 of The Rookie.
2023: The Rookie: Feds Cancelled
In 2023, The Rookie: Feds was cancelled after one season.
February 17, 2024: Season 6 Episode Count Confirmed
On February 17, 2024, executive producer Alexi Hawley confirmed that the sixth season of The Rookie would consist of ten episodes.
February 20, 2024: The Rookie Season 6 Premieres
On February 20, 2024, the sixth season of The Rookie premiered.
April 15, 2024: The Rookie Renewed For Season 7
On April 15, 2024, ABC renewed The Rookie for a seventh season, which premiered on January 7, 2025.
April 2024: The Rookie Renewed for Season 7
In April 2024, The Rookie was renewed for a seventh season, which was scheduled to premiere on January 7, 2025.
August 8, 2024: Tru Valentino To Exit The Rookie
On August 8, 2024, it was confirmed that Tru Valentino would exit The Rookie before season 7.
December 5, 2024: Second Spin-Off Series in Development
On December 5, 2024, it was reported that a second spin-off series of The Rookie was in development, set in Washington state.
2024: Reruns of The Rookie Aired on Lifetime
In 2024, reruns of The Rookie began airing on Lifetime.
January 7, 2025: The Rookie Season 7 Premieres
On January 7, 2025, the seventh season of The Rookie premiered.
April 1, 2025: The Rookie Streaming on Disney+
As of April 1, 2025, the first 5 seasons of The Rookie were made available for streaming on Disney+ via the Star content hub in Australia and New Zealand.
April 3, 2025: The Rookie Renewed For Season 8
On April 3, 2025, ABC renewed The Rookie for an eighth season, scheduled to premiere on January 6, 2026.
April 2025: The Rookie Renewed for Season 8
In April 2025, The Rookie was renewed for an eighth season, scheduled to premiere on January 6, 2026.
April 22, 2025: Deric Augustine Upped to Regular
On April 22, 2025, it was announced that Deric Augustine will be upped to regular for season 8 of The Rookie.
July 2025: The Rookie: North Enters Casting Stage
By July 2025, The Rookie: North had entered the casting stage and was on track to receive an order for a pilot episode.
2025: The Rookie Films in Prague
In 2025, The Rookie filmed scenes in Prague, Czech Republic, for the premiere of season 8.
January 6, 2026: The Rookie Season 8 Scheduled Premiere
On January 6, 2026, the eighth season of The Rookie is scheduled to premiere.
2026: Filming of The Rookie: North Anticipated
In 2026, it was anticipated that filming of The Rookie: North would begin in early 2026.
Mentioned in this timeline
New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern...
Los Angeles is the most populous city in California and...
Australia officially the Commonwealth of Australia encompasses the Australian mainland...
Disney is a subscription-based video on-demand streaming service owned by...
Canada is a North American country the second largest in...
Rust is a reddish-brown iron oxide formed by the reaction...
Trending
Artie Lange is an American stand-up comedian actor and radio personality He is most famous for his roles on Mad...
1 month ago Pittsburgh weekend weather: Showers possible for College Gameday, cooler temperatures expected.
24 days ago NYT Strands Hints and Answers for November 21, 2025: Solving the Puzzle
6 months ago Walton Goggins stars in Walmart ad aiming to reshape brand perception.
12 days ago Hall High School in West Hartford went into secure mode; no weapon found.
2 months ago Dodgers' Will Smith Featured in NLDS Roster Updates After Wild Card Win
Popular
Candace Owens is an American conservative political commentator and author...
Ilhan Omar is an American politician currently serving as the...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Oprah Winfrey an American talk show host television producer actress...
Tom Cotton is an American politician and Army veteran currently...
Cristiano Ronaldo often nicknamed CR is a Portuguese professional footballer...