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The Rookie Season 8 Release Date
The Rookie season 8 is officially coming on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, airing at 10 p.m. on ABC in the US. New episodes will stream on Hulu after broadcast in the US, while earlier seasons remain on Netflix and other services in many regions, including India.
ABC has confirmed that The Rookie season 8 will premiere on 6 January 2026 as part of its 2025–26 mid‑season schedule. The show keeps its crime‑drama Tuesday slot, returning at 10 p.m. after other ABC dramas like Will Trent and High Potential. The Rookie (@therookie) shared on X that Season 8 of The Rookie premieres on January 6 on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu.
Season 7 wrapped in May 2025, so fans are getting the new season after roughly an eight‑month gap, which is pretty standard for a network procedural. The new season also continues the “winter launch” pattern that ABC has used for the series in recent years instead of a traditional September start.
Where to Watch the Rookie Season 8?
In the US, The Rookie season 8 will air weekly on ABC, then be available to stream on Hulu, just like previous seasons. ABC has already promoted the new season with the tag that you can stream it on Hulu after it premieres. The Rookie (@therookie) announced on X that The Rookie is returning for Season 8 on ABC and Hulu, expressing excitement for another season on duty.
For India and many other regions, earlier seasons of The Rookie are currently streaming on Netflix and can also be watched for free on Amazon Prime Video in some catalogs. Season 8’s OTT platform for India is not locked in yet, so fans will likely see it arrive later once regional rights are finalized, following the pattern used for previous seasons.
The Rookie Season 8 Cast
Season 8 keeps the core LAPD crew that’s carried the show so far, led by Nathan Fillion as John Nolan. Long‑running main cast members include Alyssa Diaz (Angela Lopez), Richard T. Jones (Wade Grey), Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen), Eric Winter (Tim Bradford), and Mekia Cox (Nyla Harper).
Recent seasons also leaned on younger officers like Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez, and reports about season 8 suggest the main ensemble is returning, with room for new recurring cops, criminals, and federal agents as the story goes "more international." Exact guest stars and new additions are usually announced closer to premiere, so casting news will keep trickling out through late 2025.
About The Rookie
The Rookie is an ABC police procedural that follows John Nolan, a 40‑something small‑town guy who joins the LAPD as the oldest rookie on the force. The show mixes case‑of‑the‑week stories with longer relationship arcs, promotions, and unit shake‑ups as Nolan grows from wide‑eyed newcomer to seasoned officer.
Since its debut in 2018, the series has built a loyal fanbase thanks to its mix of humor, character drama, and grounded but still slick action. Strong live ratings plus big streaming numbers on Hulu and platforms like Netflix are exactly why ABC felt confident renewing it for season 8 and keeping it as a key part of its crime lineup.
Disclaimer
Release dates, platforms, and cast details for The Rookie Season 8 may change due to network decisions, regional licensing, or schedule shifts. Information here is based on the latest updates at the time of writing. Viewers should always confirm dates and availability on official broadcasters or streaming apps.
