The Rookie stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, a 40-year-old man who pursues his dream of being a police officer following a life-changing incident. As he adjusts to his life as a rookie beat cop, John must also navigate dangerous missions, tricky workplace dynamics, and blossoming romantic relationships.
What sets the show apart is its ability to balance fast-paced, high-octane action with more personal, messy moments. It's a big reason The Rookie has built up such a huge following and maintained it for the last couple of years.
However, while the show preps for a new season, fans haven't been able to get their "Rookie fix" and may be resigned to rewatching old seasons. And while that can be fun, it can also get tiring when you've already seen every season of The Rookie ten times.
So, instead of rewatching, try binging these five shows similar to The Rookie while you wait for season 9!
5. FBI
FBI is an American police procedural that follows FBI agents working out of the New York station office. Each week, the agents must utilize a variety of physical and technical skills to tackle some of the country's most dangerous criminals. Led by agents Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and Omar "OA" Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), the show features an elite team of both higher-level and junior agents who work together to solve cases.
Similar to The Rookie, FBI follows agents of the law who fight crime in a big city. As a result, both shows take advantage of their scenic shooting locations to provide viewers with high-quality visuals and large-scale street chases. The big-city format also enables both shows to feature extremely dangerous criminals every week.
4. Chicago PD
Chicago PD is the second show in Dick Wolf's Chicago series, premiering shortly after Chicago Fire. The show follows an intelligence unit of detectives led by controversial figure Hank Voight (Jason Beghe). Among the CPD, the team is known for what we'll call their "unconventional methods." But they pride themselves on the number of criminals they've put away.
Chicago PD started very similarly to The Rookie, prioritizing young rookie beat cops in addition to seasoned detectives. However, as the show progressed, it focused more on the intelligence unit and less on introducing new rookies. Chicago PD also takes a grittier approach to crime than The Rookie, but both deliver high-impact cases each week.
3. S.W.A.T
S.W.A.T followed Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson as he led a team of highly skilled officers on missions in Los Angeles. In the show, Hondo had to navigate community relations while policing in the same community where he grew up. This put a strain not only on his leadership skills but also on his personal relationships.
Hondo becoming the leader of 20-Squad was a big change for him. He was in his 40s, just like Nolan, and had to adjust to being in a completely different position than he was used to. He also faced a lot of hate. Similarly to what Nolan experienced throughout The Rookie, there were several times when people questioned Hondo's abilities or called for him to retire. Despite these challenges, both Hondo and Nolan remained committed to their jobs and demonstrated that older age doesn't equate to incompetence. If anything, it helps them contribute more wisdom to their colleagues.
2. 911
There is a reason 911 is one of the most popular television shows right now. It's a fast-paced drama about first responders in Los Angeles who pull off some of the most intense, absurd rescues ever. From the Santa Monica Pier tsunami to the giant earthquake that swallowed a hotel, 911 always delivers high-quality entertainment.
But what particularly connects 911 with The Rookie is their penchant for messy drama. Both shows give viewers a touch of soap opera with their weekly rescues. Whether it's a love triangle or old childhood trauma rearing its ugly head, both shows tackle the personal side of emergency response work head-on.
1. Rookie Blue
Years before taking on the role of Special Agent Maggie Bell in FBI, Missy Peregrym starred as Andy McNally on the Canadian cop drama Rookie Blue. The show was about young rookie cops who were trying hard to carve out a place for themselves among Toronto's finest. McNally became a cop to follow in her father's footsteps, who was a homicide detective before abruptly leaving the job.
Rookie Blue essentially walked so The Rookie could run. The show had everything viewers currently love about The Rookie: action, messy drama, and high emotional stakes. Before there was Chenford, there was "McSwarek." The two started the same way Chen and Bradford did: as a training officer and trainee. As a result, they encountered challenges balancing their feelings for each other with their professional dynamic.
If you are a fan of The Rookie, Rookie Blue might be the best show to tide you over until the show's new season premieres next year.
Season 9 of The Rookie premieres January 7, 2027 on ABC.
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