The Rookie has not only revealed the premiere date for season 8 but also the first trailer that shows our favorite cops are going international!
It’s been a long wait for fans of The Rookie for season 8. ABC has decided to repeat the successful formula of season 7 by waiting until January to premiere the season and thus let it run full on with minimal interruptions. That’s a great way to keep the show’s momentum (and ratings) going.
ABC just revealed the premiere dates for midseason 2026, which confirms The Rookie season 8 will return on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 10/9c. The show also has its first teaser trailer that shows the cops aren’t just protecting L.A. but heading overseas for some exciting adventures that include the return of an old face!
Where are The Rookie characters heading in season 8?
The trailer has the team meeting our old friend from The Rookie: Feds, Special Agent Matt Garza (Felix Solis). Bradford relates that the cops are being recruited to help the FBI with an overseas investigation into terrorist groups that has high-stakes implications.
Thus, we see Nolan and others in Madrid handling bigger action, bigger fights, and more. That includes raids on a dock and what looks like a boat chase as well. There’s the same old humor when Nolan declares, “I’ll do my best,” and Bradford fires back, “No, do my best.”
It’s likely this is tied in with The Rookie season 7 finale, as the last scene had the cops’ old enemy, criminal lawyer Monica (Bridget Regan), cutting a deal with the Feds to get immunity for all of her past crimes. It sounds like Monica is giving the FBI information on other criminal groups, which means becoming an unlikely ally to the team.
Obviously, the cops are suspicious of Monica’s true agenda, as it’s quite possible she’s using the authorities to take out her competition. It's also likely that Monica wants an in with the FBI to gain intelligence for her own means.
Thus, the team will be using this mission as a way of uncovering Monica's real motives, which could interfere with the FBI's case. Yet the idea of Nolan, Chen and the rest causing some chaos overseas is enough to brighten this premiere up.
It’s also great to see Garza again, and hopefully, we see other Feds characters pop up too. That spinoff was cut too short and it’s nice of the producers to keep up this link. Thus, when The Rookie returns, it’s bigger than ever, which is great news for fans.
The Rookie season 8 premieres on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 10/9c on ABC.
Get the latest The Rookie news and updates with Precinct TV.