Nathan Fillion’s Crime Thriller Secures Spinoff as Pilot Order Confirmation Looms

ABC is developing a new spinoff set in the Pacific Northwest. The series follows The Rookie’s franchise expansion with a pilot already filmed in Vancouver.

Casting and premise

Jay Ellis stars as Alex Holland, the series lead. His character faces a midlife crisis and finds new purpose after a robbery.

Alex joins the Pierce County Police as the youngest rookie. The show will cover crime from the urban coast to the rural forest.

Karen Fukuhara’s role

Karen Fukuhara is confirmed as training officer Leah Mizuno. She finished shooting the pilot and described the experience to Filmogaz.com.

Fukuhara praised the production’s leadership and praised Jay Ellis. She said the cast hopes for a series pickup at ABC.

Production details

Filming for the pilot took place in Vancouver. Production wrapped after the test pilot completed shooting in late winter or early spring of 2026.

The project was developed as ABC’s second offshoot after The Rookie: Feds. The new title references the Washington State setting.

Franchise background

Nathan Fillion leads the original series as John Nolan. The parent show debuted on October 16, 2018.

Showrunner Alexi Hawley steers the franchise. Season eight’s format change may influence the new series’ direction.

Pickup prospects and scheduling

ABC will decide whether to order the series at the end of April or the start of May 2026. Industry observers rate the chances as strong.

If picked up, the spinoff could join the 2026–2027 TV cycle. Network planners may target a Monday primetime slot during winter programming.

Context and expectations

The Rookie has enjoyed a strong 2025–2026 cycle. Streaming popularity helped sustain high viewership for the parent show.

With Nathan Fillion’s name attached, the crime thriller secures spinoff interest. Now, pilot order confirmation looms for ABC executives.