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ABC hits another milestone as ‘The Rookie’ gets renewed for Season 9 after major ratings success

'The Rookie' is now close to legendary status as ABC renewed it for another season, three weeks ahead of the season 8 finale

ABC has renewed 'The Rookie' for another season, making it the third-longest-running show on the network. The police procedural drama was inspired by the true story of a 40-something man who joined the LAPD. The story simultaneously follows multiple characters navigating the hectic world of law enforcement. Currently in season 8, the finale episode is scheduled to be released on Monday, May 4, 2026. 

The renewal confirmation was shared by ABC on Monday, April 13, 2026. Considering the rating of 8 million plus viewers per episode, the news was not a surprise for the fans. Along with 'The Rookie,' the network also renewed another procedural drama, 'Will Trent', starring Ramon Rodriguez for the fifth season. Both dramas have delivered high ratings for the network and the streaming platforms globally.  

Helmed by creator Alexi Hawley, 'The Rookie' has been enjoying a large following among younger audiences. Some clips of the show have been circulating on Instagram and TikTok, pulling in more viewers. This has clearly boosted the confidence of the makers, as is clearly evident with the renewal. In a recent interview with Deadline, Hawley expressed his enthusiasm for continuing the show and said he hopes it can follow the path of ABC’s longest-running series, 'Grey’s Anatomy'. "At this point, heading into Season 9, I don’t feel like we’re anywhere near out of ideas. Part of that is we’re not a procedural where I have to come up with a body drop every week. We really can reinvent ourselves a lot, and that helps with not feeling like you’re running out of story."

'The Rookie' Season 8 moved from its Tuesday 10 pm slot to Mondays at 10 pm to make space for ABC’s new series ‘RJ Decker,’ starring Scott Speedman, Jaina Lee Ortiz, and Bevin Bru. The schedule change, however, has not affected the show’s ratings. Meanwhile, a spinoff titled 'The Rookie: North' is in development, with casting details still under wraps. Upcoming episodes may set up the new series. The next episode, 'Out of Time', airs April 20, 2026, on ABC and streams on Hulu.