The Rookie: Feds fans were upset that ABC canceled the series after only one episode. Is there a chance that Niecy Nash's Simone Clark could appear on The Rookie Season 6? Here's what we know.
It's no surprise ABC would want a spinoff of The Rookie, given how successful that show is. The fourth season had a two-parter that worked as a "backdoor pilot" for the spinoff with Niecy Nash as Simone Clark, whose story mirrored Nolan's. A former teacher and mother to two, Simone decided to enter the FBI Academy in her 40s. She proved herself aiding Nolan in stopping a terrorist plot in Los Angeles.
That set up The Rookie: Feds as Simone joined a team of quirky but sharp FBI agents, handling cases from spy rings to serial killers. Simone herself was a fun character, living with her activist father, embracing a fun dating life and dedicated to her job with sass and humor.
There were hopes the show would get a second season, but ABC held off on any decision during the long WGA and SAG strikes in 2023. Just days after the SAG strike ended in November, ABC confirmed the show was canceled after one season.
While the show didn't end on any big cliffhanger, there were some character beats fans would love to see followed up on. So, can Simone join The Rookie sometime this year?
Could Niecy Nash return as Simone in The Rookie?
ABC's decision to cancel the show looks a bit worse as Niecy Nash just won an Emmy Award for her turn in the series Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. At the ceremony, she talked to TVLine about the chances of making a cameo in The Rookie.
"[The Rookie: Feds] was one of my favorite jobs because it was one of my favorite casts I've ever worked with. But no, I don't think there are plans for that that I know of. I am living in the moment. So that's where I'm at."
It should be noted that The Rookie Season 6 will have a shorter episode order due to the strikes so it's unlikely they'd have room to work a Simone appearance in anyway.
It's too bad that fans of The Rookie: Feds won't be able to see Simone again, but hopefully, down the road, Nash can make some sort of appearance as this sassy agent.
The Rookie Season 6 premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up on Hulu.