ABC has greenlit a pilot for The Rookie: North, a new spin-off from the popular police procedural series. Jay Ellis, known for his role in Insecure, will star as Alex Holland, an older rookie joining the Pierce County Police Department. The project is written and directed by The Rookie creator Alexi Hawley.
Casting and Character Details
Jay Ellis takes on the central role of Alex Holland in the upcoming pilot. According to the official logline, Holland faces a mid-life turning point after a home invasion sparks a new sense of purpose. He commits to becoming the oldest rookie at the Pierce County Police Department, navigating challenges from city streets to remote wooded areas where help is not always quick to arrive. Ellis must demonstrate his resolve to his training officer, peers, and himself amid past personal shortcomings.
Production Background
Alexi Hawley, who created the original The Rookie, is penning the script, directing the episode, and acting as an executive producer. This marks another expansion for the franchise, following the short-lived The Rookie: Feds, which featured Niecy Nash-Betts and ended after its 2023 debut season. Details on potential ties to the main series remain unclear at this stage.
Series Context
The Rookie, now heading into its eighth season premiering January 6, continues to draw viewers with its blend of drama and character-driven stories. Ellis brings experience from his acclaimed portrayal of Lawrence in the HBO series Insecure, which concluded after five seasons in 2021. His additional television work includes appearances in The Game, Running Point, and All Her Fault.
The pilot order signals ABC's interest in further developing the Rookie universe, though no full-series commitment has been announced yet.