Just when you thought the streets of Los Angeles couldn’t get any more crowded with high-stakes drama, Hollywood drops a bombshell. As

we dive into the 2026 television season, the air is thick with rumors of a secret spinoff deal that could pivot the entire The Rookie franchise

in a daring new direction. We aren’t just talking about a guest appearance or a “backdoor pilot” that fades into the background. Sources

 

 

close to the production suggest that a major star is currently locked in negotiations for a standalone series that would officially expand the “Rookie-Verse” beyond the sunny (and often chaotic) palm trees of Mid-Wilshire.

Imagine the shockwaves! For years, Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan has been the North Star of the series, but the franchise is proving it has the legs to run a marathon, not just a sprint. With The Rookie Season 8 already making waves by filming its premiere in Prague, the appetite for expansion is at an all-time high. But what does this secret deal mean for the original show? And more importantly, which star is brave enough to step out of the ensemble shadow to lead their own precinct?

The cat is officially out of the bag, and its name is Jay Ellis. While the industry was busy watching the horizon, Top Gun: Maverick star Jay Ellis was quietly finalizing a deal to lead the next major offshoot of the franchise: The Rookie: North.

Casting an actor of Jay Ellis’s caliber—fresh off the billion-dollar success of Top Gun—isn’t just a win; it’s a statement. He brings a gritty, grounded energy that feels different from Nathan Fillion’s affable charm. By negotiating this “secret” deal, ABC is clearly aiming to capture a demographic that loves procedural action but wants a setting that feels a bit more Yellowstone meets The Rookie.

For seven seasons, the LAPD has been our home. But the 2026 expansion proves that the “Rookie” concept isn’t tied to a specific zip code. It’s about the experience of starting over.

Urban Coast to Rural Forest
The Pacific Northwest offers a vibe that Los Angeles simply can’t provide. We are talking about meth labs in the woods, military bases, and National Parks.

Tactical Variety: In LA, backup is usually five minutes away. In the rural PNW? You might be on your own for half an hour. That changes the stakes of every traffic stop.

The Visual Refresh: Replacing the bright California sun with the misty, evergreen forests of Washington (likely filmed in Vancouver) gives the franchise a “prestige drama” facelift.

H3: The “Pierce County” Factor
By setting the show in a county that includes Tacoma, showrunner Alexi Hawley is giving us a “bigger slice of America.” It’s less about Hollywood glitz and more about the rugged reality of suburban and rural policing. This shift allows the franchise to stay fresh without repeating the same “bank robbery of the week” tropes.

🤝 The Role of Nathan Fillion: Mentor or Executive?
The most frequent question on fans’ lips is: “What happens to Nolan?” The secret spinoff deal doesn’t just involve new actors; it heavily involves the man who started it all.

Executive Producer Nathan Fillion
Fillion isn’t just watching from the sidelines. He is officially an Executive Producer on The Rookie: North. This ensures that the DNA of the original show—the humor, the heart, and the high-octane pacing—remains intact.

H4: The Potential for the Ultimate Crossover
In a video welcoming Jay Ellis to the family, Fillion joked about being a “guest on your spinoff.” This isn’t just a joke; it’s a promise. With Season 8 taking the LAPD crew to international locations like Prague, a trip to the Pacific Northwest seems like a walk in the park. Can you imagine Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen trying to navigate a Washington forest? The fanfiction writes itself!

🎭 Could a Current Star Be Moving? The “Secret” Negotiations
While Jay Ellis is the new face, the “secret negotiations” rumors suggest that the expansion might involve more than just new hires. There is heavy speculation that one or more current stars from the flagship series might be “traded” or “seconded” to the new show to provide a sense of continuity.