‘The Rookie’ Boss & Nathan Fillion Talk ‘North’ Crossovers

When ABC’s midseason lineup debuts in 2027, there will be two hours of The Rookie in primetime.

Joining the long-running drama is the latest spinoff (Feds ran one season), The Rookie: North, starring Jay Ellis as a character who, like Nathan Fillion‘s John Nolan, is shifting careers in the middle of his life. Fillion will be crossing over in North‘s premiere.

“Long term, Nolan is, as much as he can be from L.A. to the Pacific Northwest, a mentor of sorts,” Alexi Hawley, an executive producer on both, told TV Insider at San Diego Comic-Con. “He’s somebody who came at the job at a later age as Jay Ellis’ character has done. And so, I think he’s a resource and an ally when he needs it.”

Fillion, on his part, would love to see more than just himself and other Rookie series regulars head over to the spinoff.

“I think there’s room for crossovers, but not necessarily with our main character. We’ve had a lot of characters on The Rookie that could potentially see The Rookie: North,” he pointed out.

Hawley agreed, adding, “That’s true. We could go up there with some of our bad guys, some of our fun guest characters that we love. I mean, there’s lots of possibilities.”

When we caught up with Jay Ellis and Janet Montgomery in May, they spoke to Alex’s dynamic with Nolan.

“I think he’s going to be someone that Alex calls for advice a lot. A lot,” Ellis said.

Added Montgomery, “Most of the stuff with Nathan is with you, actually. I have a very brief moment, but really it’s the connection between you two, and I really like that because you’re not the same at all, but there’s a kindred spirit, and I think you guys would be best friends if they were real characters in real life.”

The Rookie, Season 9, 2027, ABC

The Rookie, Series Premiere, 2027 ABC

—Additional reporting by Erin Maxwell