Nathan Fillion is officially heading to The Rookie: North, giving fans another exciting reason to look forward to ABC’s newest spinoff. The actor will reprise his role as John Nolan in the upcoming series, and according to creator and executive producer Alexi Hawley, he hopes this will be just the beginning of more crossover moments between the two shows.
The Rookie is currently filming Season 9, while The Rookie: North prepares for its debut during the 2027 television season. The new series stars Jay Ellis as Alex Holland, with Fillion already confirmed to appear as Nolan. In addition to leading the original series, Fillion also serves as an executive producer on the spinoff, making him an important part of the franchise’s continued expansion.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Hawley praised the chemistry between Fillion and Ellis, saying it has been a joy to watch the two actors work together. “There’s nothing more rewarding than a second spinoff of your baby, a second child, so to speak. And so, it’s great. And they’re a treat together for sure. I’m hoping to get more of it as we go forward, it’s a real treat to see them together,” Hawley said, making it clear he wants the connection between the two series to continue growing.
Although the reason Nolan travels to Washington has not yet been revealed, Hawley explained that crossover storytelling is expected to remain an important part of the franchise. Unlike The Rookie, which is based in Los Angeles, The Rookie: North is set in Washington State and filmed in Vancouver. Even with the distance between the productions, the creative team is committed to finding ways to bring the characters together in meaningful ways.
Hawley also shared another idea that is sure to excite longtime viewers. He revealed that he would love to bring Lucy Chen, played by Melissa O’Neil, and Tim Bradford, portrayed by Eric Winter, to The Rookie: North during its first season. “I do think we need to get Chenford in the mix up in North at some point in season 1. Yes, I said it out loud, there you go!” he said.
The possibility is especially intriguing following the dramatic Season 8 finale, which ended with Lucy and Tim becoming engaged before both characters were kidnapped in a shocking cliffhanger. While fans continue waiting to learn what happens next, Hawley’s comments suggest that Chenford remains a major part of the franchise’s future and that the creative team is already thinking about new stories for the beloved couple.
Hawley acknowledged that organizing crossovers between two productions filmed in different locations is more challenging than it was with The Rookie: Feds, which shared the same production lot. Even so, he confirmed that additional crossover plans are already being discussed, with the goal of making each appearance feel meaningful rather than relying on frequent guest spots.