Jay Ellis has been tapped to headline ABC’s upcoming The Rookie spinoff pilot, The Rookie: North.

Variety reports that the potential series will be in line with the original Rookie series in that a person who feels like he’s past his prime and wants a new start in life goes all in on a new career–a career in the police force. Ellis’ character follows the trend by having him start a new life at the Pierce County Police Department.

The long-gestating project sees Alexi Hawley, The Rookie creator, write, executive produce and produce, with The Rookie star Nathan Fillion executive producing.

As Deadline reported, “Closing Ellis’ deal took some scheduling work as the in-demand actor is also a series regular on the upcoming Hulu comedy series Not Suitable for Work in addition to recurring on Netflix’s Running Point.” The trade publication also noted that should The Rookie: North go to series, Ellis would be able to work the show alongside Not Suitable for Work.

What will be the plot of ‘The Rookie: North’

According to the official logline for The Rookie: North pilot, as reported by Variety:

Alex Holland (Ellis) believed his mid-life wasn’t worthy of a crisis. But after a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex battles a lifetime of failed commitments by joining the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie. Policing from the urban coast to the rural forest where backup isn’t just 5-minutes away, Alex must prove to his skeptical training officer, his fellow rookies, and himself, that he’s finally found something worthy of the fight.

Other executive producers include Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross and Michelle Chapman, with Ellis producing. The pilot is produced by Lionsgate Television and 20th Television.

This is the second spinoff for ‘The Rookie’

This pilot isn’t the first The Rookie spinoff, but maybe it’ll be the first that survives longer than one season. The Rookie: Feds was the franchise’s first foray into spinoff territory with Niecy Nash-Betts starring as a former school counselor who wants to live out her dream as an FBI officer. The series debuted in 2023 and was cancelled after a season. It’s worth noting that The Rookie: North is much closer to the premise of the original show than The Rookie: Feds. Perhaps this could be to its benefit?

Ellis can currently be seen in the Peacock series, All Her Fault.

The Rookie: North

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