Jay Ellis is preparing to lead the latest expansion of ABC’s police franchise, The Rookie: North, and the actor is looking toward his blockbuster past to fill out the guest roster. Ellis has publicly pitched a reunion with his Top Gun: Maverick co-stars, including a rare television appearance for global star Tom Cruise.
According to reports from Us Weekly, Ellis intends to personally reach out to former castmates via call and text to gauge interest in guest spots. In addition to Cruise, Ellis mentioned potential interest in Glen Powell and Monica Barbaro, as well as colleagues from his time on Insecure. While a cameo from Cruise would represent a significant departure from the actor’s film-centric career, the connection stems from their work together on the 2022 Top Gun sequel, which revitalized the theatrical box office.
Currently in production, The Rookie: North began filming in British Columbia, Canada, on August 11, 2026. The production is scheduled to wrap its first season on November 23, 2026. This new entry serves as the second spinoff in the franchise, following the one-season run of The Rookie: Feds.
A Shift in Setting and Scope
While the flagship series is rooted in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, The Rookie: North shifts the action to the Pacific Northwest. The series follows Alex Holland, played by Ellis, a middle-aged man who decides to join the Pierce County Police Department in Washington following a traumatic home invasion. Much like Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan, Holland enters the force as its oldest rookie, navigating the physical and social challenges of a high-stakes career later in life.
To establish a bridge between the two shows, Nathan Fillion is confirmed to reprise his role as John Nolan in the spinoff’s pilot episode. This crossover serves to ground the new series within the established logic of the franchise while introducing the more rural and coastal terrain of the Washington setting.
The upcoming season is slated for a midseason premiere in early 2027 on ABC. It will debut alongside the flagship series, which is also scheduled to return for its ninth season during the same window. The production’s choice of British Columbia as a filming location provides the necessary backdrop for the rugged environment of Pierce County, moving away from the metropolitan visuals that have defined the series since its 2018 debut.
Official loglines for the series clarify that the story takes place in Washington state, correcting early social media rumors that had suggested a District of Columbia setting. With production continuing through the fall, the focus remains on Holland’s transition into law enforcement and the potential for high-profile cameos that Ellis is currently pursuing.
