At a Glance
- The Rookie season 8 premiered on Jan. 6 and earned 9.35 million viewers.
- After three Tuesday broadcasts, the show shifted to Monday nights beginning Jan. 26.
- Episodes now air at 10 p.m. ET, following American Idol.
- Why it matters: Fans get a fresh schedule and a global storyline set in Prague.
The Rookie, the long-running police procedural comedy, launched its eighth season on Jan. 6. The show, now in its eighth year, welcomed viewers with a record-setting premiere that drew 9.35 million viewers-its highest total-viewers rating since the season 2 debut in 2019.
Season 8 Premiere and Ratings
The first episode, titled “Czech Mate,” aired at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. It was followed by “Fast Andy” and “The Red Place,” both also broadcast on Tuesdays. ABC reported the premiere’s Nielsen numbers, noting that the episode also achieved the series’ top viewership on Hulu and Disney+.
Shift to Monday Nights
After the initial three Tuesdays-Jan. 6, Jan. 13, and Jan. 20-ABC moved the series to Monday nights, starting Jan. 26. The change was announced via Instagram videos featuring cast members. The new Monday slot places The Rookie directly after American Idol, which premiered on the same day.
Episode Release Schedule
| Date | Episode Title |
|---|---|
| Jan. 6 | “Czech Mate” |
| Jan. 13 | “Fast Andy” |
| Jan. 20 | “The Red Place” |
| Jan. 26 | “Cut and Run” |
| Feb. 2 | “The Network” |
TV Guide lists a total of 18 episodes for season 8, while TVLine reports that the 14 episodes following the schedule change will run straight without interruptions.
International Setting and Plot
Unlike previous seasons that focused on Los Angeles, season 8 transports the crew to Prague. Officer John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion-who also serves as an executive producer-teams up with the FBI and Interpol for a “global operation” to track down terrorist targets. The international backdrop adds a fresh dynamic to the familiar mix of comedy, suspense, and romance.
Cast and Production
The main cast continues to include:
- Nathan Fillion as John Nolan
- Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune
- Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez
- Richard T. Jones as Lieutenant Wade Grey
- Eric Winter as Sergeant Timothy “Tim” Bradford
- Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen
- Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper
- Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers
- Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez
After the premiere, Fillion and Dewan discussed the season’s tone. Fillion said, “I think it’s comfort food for people. I think it’s relaxing to watch, because they can get excited about things and they can get intense about things, and then things will be okay.” Dewan added, “People can expect a lot of suspense and scares, as well as so much comedy and romance.”
Availability
Season 8 episodes air on ABC and are available to stream on Hulu the day after each broadcast. All seven seasons of The Rookie are currently streaming on Hulu.
Key Takeaways
- The Rookie’s season 8 premiere set a new viewership record.
- The schedule moved from Tuesdays to Mondays starting Jan. 26.
- Episodes air at 10 p.m. ET, following American Idol.
- The storyline now takes place in Prague, featuring a global terrorist plot.
- Nathan Fillion remains the series’ lead and executive producer.
- Episodes are available to stream on Hulu the day after airing.
