When Does ‘The Rookie’ Air? Updated Release Schedule & Details
NEED TO KNOW
- The Rookie season 8 premiered on Jan. 6, on ABC.
- The hit police procedural aired its first three episodes on Tuesdays before switching to a Monday night schedule beginning on Jan. 26.
- Nathan Fillion, Jenna Dewan, Alyssa Diaz, Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil reprise their fan favorite roles.
The Rookie has returned with an early season schedule shake-up! The police procedural comedy, which premiered on Jan. 6, stars Nathan Fillion as Los Angeles police officer John Nolan, navigating his life and career as one of the oldest rookie officers in the department.
Alongside Fillion, the series features Alyssa Diaz as Detective Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Lieutenant Wade Grey, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune, Eric Winter as Sergeant Timothy “Tim” Bradford, and others.
Unlike previous seasons that focused solely on L.A., season 8 takes the crew to Prague, where they team up with the FBI and Interpol for a global operation to track down terrorist targets.
Following the season 8 premiere, cast members Fillion and Dewan highlighted the suspense, comedy, and romance in store for viewers. “I think it’s comfort food for people,” Fillion said, adding that it offers a blend of excitement and relaxation.
When Did The Rookie Season 8 Premiere?
The Rookie season 8 premiered on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. The season premiere attracted 9.35 million viewers, marking the show’s best ratings since its season 2 premiere in 2019.
Fillion and Dewan joked that their characters turned their international mission into a romantic getaway. “They kind of ruled this job into a second honeymoon of sorts,” Fillion quipped.
When Did The Rookie Episode Schedule Change?
After the first three episodes aired on Tuesdays, The Rookie shifted its schedule to Monday nights, starting Jan. 26. The show confirmed the change via fun cast videos on Instagram, encouraging fans to embrace Mondays.
What Time Do The Rookie Episodes Air?
Despite the schedule change, new episodes now air at 10 p.m. ET, right after American Idol.
What is The Rookie Season 8 Episode Release Schedule?
As of January 2026, there will be 18 episodes in season 8, with 14 episodes scheduled for a straight run without interruptions. Here’s what’s confirmed:
- Jan. 6: Season 8 Premiere, “Czech Mate”
- Jan. 13: “Fast Andy”
- Jan. 20: “The Red Place”
- Jan. 26: “Cut and Run”
- Feb. 2: “The Network”
Where Can I Watch The Rookie?
Episodes of The Rookie season 8 premiere on ABC and are available for streaming on Hulu the following day. Additionally, all previous seasons of The Rookie are also available on Hulu.
