Summary
ABC tried to build a franchise aroundThe RookiewithThe Rookie: Feds,and even thoughthe network canceled the spinoff after only one season,that doesn’t mean that its characters can’t join the cast of the parent series. The police procedural series, created by Alexi Hawley, debuted in 2018 and revolves aroundNathan Fillion as John Nolan, a middle-aged rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Hawley and Terence Paul Winter had the idea of taking the same concept but applying it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), andThe Rookie: Fedswas born.
The Rookieseason 7 is set to premiere in early 2025.
Niecy Nash-Betts starred as Simone Clark, a middle-aged rookie in the FBI, inThe Rookie: Feds,which would often cross over withThe Rookie.Despite the original show’s popularity and the writers' attempts to boost the spinoff’s popularity by connecting it toThe Rookie,ABC canceledThe Rookie: Fedsfollowing its season 1 finale. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes in 2023 likely played a part in the network’s decision, but so did its ratings. Nevertheless,The Rookie: Fedsis gone, but its characters are not.
7Simone Clark
Played By Niecy Nash-Betts
Of course, the idealThe Rookie: Fedscharacterthat could join the cast ofThe Rookieis Niecy Nash-Betts' Simone Clark.Simone was the face of the ABC spinoff,and she is undoubtedly unlike any other character in the franchise. She brings a breath of fresh air to this world, and one of the most disappointing aspects of the crime drama’s cancelation was the fact that Simone was gone. However, Nash-Betts could return as a main cast member in the original series.
Yes, Simone is in the FBI whileThe Rookie’s characters are in the LAPD. She could remain in the FBI even if she joinedthe cast ofThe Rookiein season 7, orSimone might transfer to the LAPD and work at the Mid-Wilshire station.The logistics truly don’t matter because this is a fictional TV show, after all.
Simone also has an established friendship with John Nolanas they previously connected over their similar circumstances, and it’s always fun watching the two of them share a scene. So, Simone already has an in withThe Rookie,meaning Nash-Betts could easily sign on as a series regular (given her schedule isn’t too busy). The actress couldn’t appear inthe season 6 finale ofThe Rookiealongside some of her former costars, so, Nash-Betts might be unable to commit to the show.
10 Best Moments From The Rookie Season 6, Ranked
Although The Rookie season 6 was shortened due to the 2023 actors and writers strikes, its ten episodes contained several memorable moments.
6Laura Stensen
Played By Britt Robertson
Britt Robertson is a TV veteran who has often got the short end of the stick by being a part of many shows that were prematurely canceled, includingThe Rookie: Feds.Robertson starred asLaura Stensen, an FBI agent previously attached to the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.Laura was Brendon Acres' training agent (T.O.), and her methods were similar to those ofTim Bradford’s inThe Rookie(but a little less extreme). She was hard on Brendon and a valuable asset to the team, making her an excellent addition to the cast of the spinoff’s parent series.
Lisseth Chavez
Celina Juarez
Robertsonreprised herThe Rookie: Fedsrole duringThe Rookieseason 6 finale, alongside Felix Solis as Matt Garza and Kevin Zegers as Brendon Acres. Even though she had limited scenes, it was clear thatLaura had good chemistry with Mekia Cox’s Nyla Harperfrom their minimal screen time together in the episode. Laura and Harper would make a great team, and fans could see more of them if Robertson returns toThe Rookie.
5Matt Garza
Played By Felix Solis
As mentioned above, Felix Solis reprised his role as Matt Garza duringthe season 6 finale ofThe Rookie,and his leadership and no-nonsense work ethic is something that the ABC police procedural series needs more of.Garza was the supervisory special agent and team leader in the spinoff,and although he was a tough nut to crack at first, Simone eventually got through to him. Solis' character had a dodgy and complex past, and uncovering parts of it was one of the best storylines inThe Rookie: Feds.
Garza could retain his job at the FBI and frequently assist the LAPD on different cases in the same vein as Bailey Nune always serving as the paramedic called to a scene.
Based on the lastepisode ofThe Rookieseason 6, it would be effortless for Solis to join the cast in season 7. Garza could retain his job at the FBI and frequently assist the LAPD on different cases in the same vein as Bailey Nune always serving as the paramedic called to a scene. It’s improbable and illogical as Los Angeles is a huge city. However, that never stoppedThe Rookiewriters from incorporating Bailey into various cases of the week. Consequently,Garza could become a series regular inThe Rookiewithout difficulty.
4Brendon Acres
Played By Kevin Zegers
If Laura Stensen was the Tim Bradford ofThe Rookie: Feds,then Brendon Acres was the Lucy Chen. Of course, Lucy was never a famous actress, but Brendon shared other similarities with her. Like Lucy,Brendon was starry-eyed and eager to do well as a rookie in the FBI.Meanwhile, Brendon’s training agent was as hard on him as Tim was on Lucy during the show’s early days. As a result, it seemed likeThe Rookie: Fedsduo would follow the same path asThe Rookie’s Tim and Lucy. Unfortunately, the spinoff was canceled before it could explore anything between Laura and Brendon.
Brendon was probably the most intriguing character to watch developthroughoutThe Rookie: Fedsseason 1 as he transitioned from being a beloved TV star to a serious FBI agent. His arc was sadly cut too short, but it could continue if Brendon appears more inThe Rookieon ABC. Plus, it’s always a joy to watch Kevin Zegers onscreen, and, like Britt Robertson, he deserves a reliable role.
3Carter Hope
Played By James Lesure
Although Carter Hope was one of the quieter members of the team inThe Rookie: Feds,his character became more interesting as the season went on (and as Simone Clark continuously badgered him to open up to her). The audience never got to truly see everything that Carter, played by James Lesure, had to offer. So, it would only be right if Lesure got to continue his role inseason 7 of the TV showThe Rookie.
Jessica Betts
DJ
Sadly, Lesure was not one of the formerThe Rookie: Fedscast members to appear during the season 6 finale ofThe Rookie.Perhaps the actor was busy with other projects and couldn’t fit it into his schedule. Whatever the case,Lesure could still reprise his role as Carter in future episodes.Even if he only appears in a recurring capacity, it would be exciting to see Carter again and learn more about him if he joinsthe cast ofThe Rookie.
2Elena Flores
Played By Michelle Nuñez
Even though Michelle Nuñez wasn’t a part of the maincast ofThe Rookie: Feds,Elena Flores was still one of the best characters on the show.Similar to Carter Hope, the ABC crime drama never showcased Elena’s true potential because Nuñez was only a recurring cast member and due to the spinoff’s cancelation. IfThe Rookie: Fedshad continued, Elena likely would have gotten a bigger role and more scenes as the series went on.
Out of all the characters fromThe Rookie: Feds,integrating Elena intoThe Rookiemight be the easiest.
Elena was the Special Investigative Unit’s tech analystand Matt Garza’s niece inThe Rookie: Feds.So, while she wasn’t a field agent, Elena was an important part of the team, despite her youthful and naive nature. It would have been interesting to watch Elena grow as a person and in the FBI, but ABC stole that away when the network canceled the spinoff. However, out ofall the characters fromThe Rookie: Feds,integrating Elena intoThe Rookiemight be the easiest. She isn’t an FBI agent and could easily transfer to the LAPD.
The Rookie Season 7’s Big Story Promise Makes Me More Excited For The Show’s Return
An update regarding the upcoming episodes of The Rookie season 7 is a fantastic sign, indicating that it could be a return to the show’s glory days.
1Antoinette Benneteau
Played By Devika Bhise
Like Elena Flores, Devika Bhise’s Antoinette Benneteau was only a recurring character inThe Rookie: Feds.But, similar to Elena’s situation, Antoinette moving from working at the FBI to the LAPD would be a smooth transition.Antoinette was an FBI laboratory technician and forensic biologistin the ABC crime drama TV series who regularly helped the main team solve their cases. She was also Brendon Acres' love interest, so, if Kevin Zegers joins the cast ofThe Rookie,it would make sense if Bhise did, as well.
Antoinette’s return might be regarded as the least likely, though, given the size of her role in the spinoff. Or, perhaps her minimal number of appearances throughout season 1 could work in her favor. The writers could theoretically want to explore Antoinette’s story further, and it would make sense for her to transfer to the LAPD inThe Rookieafter ABC decided not torenewThe Rookie: Fedsfor season 2.
The Rookie
Cast
The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who embarks on a new career as an LAPD officer after a life-changing event. As the force’s oldest rookie, Nolan faces skepticism from superiors who view his pursuit as a midlife crisis.
