For viewers looking to catch up or those simply curious about the show's longevity, here is a comprehensive breakdown of how many seasons exist, the show’s history, and what the future holds.
A significant moment in the show's history occurred during Season 5 with a two-part backdoor pilot for a spinoff titled The Rookie: Feds . Starring Niecy Nash as Simone Clark, the FBI's oldest rookie, the spinoff attempted to replicate the original's formula. While The Rookie: Feds aired a full season (Season 1), it was ultimately cancelled by ABC after its freshman run. This left The Rookie as the sole survivor of that specific expansion, though the characters from Feds occasionally crossed over into the main show.
As of the current television season, there have been of The Rookie. The show has been renewed for multiple seasons, and the most recent season, Season 5, premiered on September 27, 2022. how many seasons of the rookie are there
The show has maintained a relatively consistent release schedule on ABC, airing annually in the fall (with some adjustments due to industry strikes).
, which premiered on January 6, 2026. The series has grown from a quirky fish-out-of-water story into a layered ensemble drama with over 140 episodes. Wikipedia +3 Series Overview The show's longevity is a testament to its strong viewership and the "everyman" charisma of lead Nathan Fillion. Here is the current season breakdown: Entertainment Weekly +1 Season 1 (2018–2019): 20 episodes. Introduces John Nolan as the LAPD's oldest rookie. Season 2 (2019–2020): 20 episodes. Focuses on Nolan's second half of his rookie year. Season 3 (2021): 14 episodes. Shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic; follows the end of training for the original rookies. Season 4 (2021–2022): 22 episodes. Nolan navigates life as a P2 (Police Officer 2) and begins a relationship with Bailey Nune. Season 5 (2022–2023): 22 episodes. Nolan becomes a Training Officer (TO) for new rookie Celina Juarez. Season 6 (2024): 10 episodes. Shortened by the 2023 Hollywood strikes; features high-stakes team challenges. Season 7 (2025): 18 episodes. Premiered January 7, 2025, following the team as they hunt dangerous prison escapees. Season 8 (2026): 18 episodes. For viewers looking to catch up or those
Like many shows, The Rookie was impacted by the pandemic. Season 3 was shorter than its predecessors, but it marked a turning point in tone. The show became darker, tackling police brutality and corruption within the force more directly. This was also the season where the "training officer" dynamic began to shift, as Nolan completed his probationary period and started training others.
As of mid-2024, there are of The Rookie . While The Rookie: Feds aired a full season
Since its premiere in 2018, The Rookie has established itself as a unique staple in the network television landscape. Starring Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, the show combines the high-stakes action of a police procedural with the character-driven drama of a mid-life crisis dramedy. It is a show that defies the typical demographic molds of the genre, proving that reinvention is possible at any age.