ABC Orders Pilot for The Rookie North Starring Jay Ellis

The pilot is set to film in late winter or early spring of 2026.

A new The Rookie spinoff is finally moving forward, with ABC officially ordering the project to pilot.

What’s Happening:

Deadline is reporting that Jay Ellis has been cast as the lead of The Rookie: North, the new spinoff of ABC’s The Rookie, written and directed by Alexi Hawley.
With Ellis on board, ABC has officially ordered the long-developing project to pilot.
Ellis’ involvement in the project proved challenging for the series, as he is also a series regular on Hulu’s Not Suitable For Work and has a recurring role on Netflix’s Running Point.
If the pilot becomes a series, Ellis will be able to work on both The Rookie: North and Not Suitable For Work.
Unlike The Rookie: Feds, this spinoff mirrors the original series following a middle-aged man as he becomes the oldest rookie cop.
The new series is set to take place in rural Washington state instead of Los Angeles.
Ellis will play Alex Holland, a man whose life changes after a violent home invasion inspires him to join the Pierce County Police Department.
Holland will face new challenges in urban areas as well as more remote locations where backup may be hard to come by.
Hawley executive produces alongside Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Chapman.
Ellis is also a producer.
This is ABC’s second drama pilot this season, following RJ Decker with Scott Speedman.
ABC had been developing this Washington-set spinoff since last December.
Hawley has stated they are preparing to film the pilot in late winter or spring.

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