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Nathan Fillion, widely recognized for his role in the hit police procedural “The Rookie,” is contemplating a future beyond the series. Since its premiere in 2018, “The Rookie” has captivated audiences with Fillion portraying John Nolan, a rookie officer in his 40s with the LAPD. In a recent interview with People, Fillion shared his vision for the show’s longevity, saying, “In 10 years, I would like to be just wrapping up ‘The Rookie,’ maybe handing it off to someone else.”
ABC
Given the show’s central theme of law enforcement careers, it’s only natural that Fillion envisions a timeline for his departure. With a rich history of starring in beloved series, from the cult favorite “Firefly” to the long-running “Castle,” Fillion continues to broaden his horizon. He is set to take on the role of Guy Gardner in the 2026 “Lanterns” series for the DC Universe, continuing his portrayal from “Superman.”
Despite his love for acting, Fillion has always maintained a reserved stance towards the celebrity lifestyle. However, his passion for diverse roles suggests that retirement isn’t on the horizon just yet. Fans can look forward to “The Rookie” returning for its eighth season on January 6, 2026.
Fillion humorously mentioned to People that he might consider teaching acting or taking a relaxing cruise once he steps away from “The Rookie.” On a more serious note, he expressed interest in a “soft retirement,” visiting the ongoing “Rookie” series and its potential spin-offs, which he anticipates will remain popular. Currently, “The Rookie” has spawned one spin-off, “The Rookie: Feds,” featuring Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, originally introduced in “The Rookie” Season 4.
Although “The Rookie: Feds” lasted only one season, it frequently crossed over with its parent show before its cancellation. However, the franchise is exploring new horizons with “The Rookie: North,” a spin-off set in Washington state, slated to begin filming a pilot in 2026, with Fillion on board as an executive producer. As long as spin-offs continue to emerge, Fillion’s presence, whether on-screen or behind the scenes, remains a fixture in the “Rookie” universe.
Nathan Fillion has plans for The Rookie
ABC
Nathan Fillion jokingly told People that his plans for a post-“Rookie” career included teaching acting or hopping onto a cruise. Getting serious, Fillion revealed that he plans to “spend a soft retirement visiting ‘The Rookie’ and dabbling in the four to seven ‘Rookie’ spin-off series that are still going and very, very popular.” As of writing, “The Rookie” has had one spin-off, “The Rookie: Feds,” which followed the oldest rookie in the FBI. It starred Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, who first appeared in “The Rookie” Season 4 and returned in several episodes.
“The Rookie: Feds” lasted a single season, and even crossed over with “The Rookie” on numerous occasions, before being canceled. Another spin-off with the working title, “The Rookie: North,” entered development with the intent of filming a pilot sometime in 2026. That series will be set in Washington state, and Fillion will serve as an executive producer. So long as the spin-offs keep coming, Fillion won’t be going anywhere, even if more of his time will be spent behind the camera.
