Of all of the issues to anticipate from The Rookie panel, a singalong was most likely not one in all them. However Zander Hawley got here out to pay tribute to star Nathan Fillion and showrunner Alexi Hawley with a refrain of “Arrest Me” to get the viewers within the temper for an hour with the duo that was fueled by enjoyable and good vibes.
It’s been seven years since 40-something John Nolan (Fillion) left Pennsylvania for Los Angeles to chase a dream and change into a cop. Since then, The Rookie has constructed a loyal fanbase, following his journey because the oldest rookie within the LAPD. Impressed by the real-life story of LAPD officer William Norcross, whose profession shift mirrors Nolan’s, the sequence strikes a chord with anybody who’s ever confronted a midlife disaster and questioned their life path.
At San Diego Comedian-Con on Saturday, July 26, ABC introduced star Fillion and creator Hawley of The Rookie to the Indigo Ballroom to fulfill followers and tease what’s to return in Season 8, answering questions in regards to the present, the characters, and what lies forward.
One of many first tidbit the due shared was about filming the primary episode of Season 8 in Prague.
“It’s been on the market that we’re doing one thing particular for our Season 8 premiere. We bought on an airplane and we went to Prague,” stated Hawley.
“You desire a [new] season, you need one thing thrilling. You need to begin with a bang. Thrilling set items…one thing explodes! Or, go to a different nation,” stated Fillion.
“After I first stated, ‘Hey, I need to go to Prague for Season 8,’ I bought some seems, as a result of that’s not a traditional tv factor to do,” defined the showrunner.
“It felt like we have been making On line casino Royale. It’s a tremendous metropolis,” agreed Fillion.
The 2 continued to banter with one another, appearing as their very own moderators and taking questions from one another about The Rookie.
Hawley: One of many issues I’m most pleased with is that we get to do lots of actually cool issues, proper? We’ve got actually huge episodes, we have now rom-com episodes, we have now horror film [episodes], we do lots of totally different stuff. So I’m curious how you’re feeling each time you open a script, not essential understanding what sort of episodes it may be?
Fillion: We even have episodes contained in the episodes, as a result of a few of our tales can final a scene or two, after which it’s over. It’s a lesson discovered, we transfer on to the subsequent stage. Some issues are very contained. Some issues final a giant longer. Nevertheless it’s not that method the place we resolve a criminal offense every week.
Fillion: What are the challenges that face you as a author? How do you retain it new? How do you retain it contemporary?
Hawley: I assume I’d say two issues: One is all the time making it propulsive and transfer ahead. And I forgot the opposite. I rolled into Season 7 pondering we have to kind of re-pilot a bit. That is what the primary episode was.
We love our characters. We love writing for them. We’re rooting for them. However we have now to floor them. There’s nonetheless a hierarchy with [training officer]’s and rookies.
From the very starting there’s all the time a danger. When a rookie talks about, and even jokes with them, they’ll fireplace for any motive at any time. So that you need to really feel that stress beneath. So, you realize, even with Harper [Mekia Cox], or Lucy [Melissa O’Neil], and Tim [Eric Winter], there’s a danger. I wished to maintain that.
Fillion: I get this remark rather a lot: “How lengthy are you able to probably be a rookie? I don’t suppose you’re a rookie anymore.” Guys. Calm down. It’s a metaphor.
Hawley: The great factor about it’s that you simply have been the oldest rookie within the historical past of the LAPD. After which a number of seasons in the past, you have been the coaching officer. Sooner or later down the highway, doubtlessly if we’re fortunate sufficient to do sufficient season, you will be the oldest detective.
Along with taking questions from one another and finally the viewers, Hawley made a press release on the why he believes the present is common.
“I’ve been pondering for some time about, you realize, our recognition and, however usually, I’ve 4 children, and so I’ve watched them over, through the years, and I name them (nicely, not them particularly), the nervousness. The Era Z, or millennial house, is extra, you realize, since, let’s say, the monetary crash of 2000 7008, 4 individuals left coverage they usually’re gonna have jobs, and didn’t occur. So now there’s been lots of stress and nervousness. And so I believe that in the end tv — particularly tv with a lot of episodes with characters you could actually put money into — has change into consolation meals individuals,” he defined. “I believe at a time and age that’s so anxious for thus many various causes, you need these individuals in your house.”
Questions from the viewers ranged from whether or not there be a crossover with 9-1-1 (“No”), if we’ll ever get an origin story about Smitty (“I might like to see extra of him”), and if different well-known faces present up within the close to future (“Individuals are usually very busy”), however ultimately, the panel was only a lovefest for the present, the creators, and its star, Fillion.
As for the way forward for the present, Fillion had a plan. “Let’s Gray’s Anatomy this b**ch.”
The Rookie, Season 8, 2026, ABC