Why ‘The Rookie: Feds’ Was Canceled

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  • Why Was ‘The Rookie: Feds’ Canceled?
  • A New Entry in ‘The Rookie’ Franchise

As someone who has been in the industry for quite some time now, I can’t help but see a glimmer of hope in ABC’s decision to revive the Rookie franchise. The way they’re approaching it, focusing on middle-aged cops looking for new beginnings, feels refreshingly authentic. It’s not often we get to see characters that are relatable and realistic, rather than the usual young, idealistic officers we usually see in these types of shows.

The Rookie is often overlooked but consistently strong in the world of broadcast TV dramas. It stands out as one of the rare modern network series that has reached the significant milestone of 100 episodes, a feat many new shows fail to achieve given the current trend of cost-cutting and streaming services’ influence. Amidst this competitive landscape, it’s no wonder that ABC tried to establish a police procedural franchise around this show starring Nathan Fillion.

In the 2022-23 television season, the series The Rookie: Feds, featuring Niecy Nash-Betts, made its debut. Contrary to expectations, instead of becoming the next big show like NCIS, Law & Order, or an FBI spin-off, it was axed after only one season. It’s unfortunate but not unusual for shows in the broadcast TV world to be canceled after a single season. However, considering that Nash-Betts is a well-known figure and the show was connected to The Rookie, some might wonder if ABC abandoned plans for a Rookie cinematic universe. Not quite, because as of December 2024, another spin-off is in development. So, what went wrong with The Rookie: Feds? Let’s examine the reasons behind its cancellation and consider if ABC could have taken different steps to boost its chances for success.

‘The Rookie: Feds’ Greenlight and Cancelation

Initially introduced on October 16, 2018, the series titled “The Rookie” began its run. Featuring Nathan Fillion in the lead role, this show revolves around a man in his forties who decides to join the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Interestingly, it’s inspired by a real-life officer who similarly joined the LAPD as a rookie in his 40s. Despite not being a massive ratings sensation, its viewership numbers have remained steady enough to guarantee ongoing renewal. The series surpassed the 100-episode milestone during its abbreviated sixth season, with its seventh season scheduled for January 2025. Notably, it trails only Grey’s Anatomy as ABC’s longest-running current drama series at present.

Television networks such as ABC enjoy creating series based on reliable characters, and The Rookie is no different in this regard. In February 2022, ABC launched The Rookie: Feds as an attempt to establish a procedural franchise that could rival those of NBC and CBS. Debuting in September 2022, Feds mirrored the structure of its predecessor, featuring Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, a woman in her 40s who becomes an FBI special agent. Initially, Feds received moderate viewership, averaging between 1 and 2 million viewers each episode. However, ratings increased when The Rookie was scheduled to air before Feds.

Regardless of its improved ratings, the show known as Feds was eventually terminated after just one season in November 2023. The decision came six months after its season finale in May, during which it hung on to a precarious position. But what led to ABC’s premature cancellation of their new procedural franchise?

Why Was ‘The Rookie: Feds’ Canceled?

Essentially, due to the writers’ strike, the series The Rookie: Feds didn’t get a chance for renewal. ABC postponed deciding its fate until the first season had finished, but unfortunately, this decision coincided with the start of the strike. Since the strike was long-lasting and expensive, networks like ABC sought ways to cut costs, which led to The Rookie: Feds being affected negatively despite decent ratings and its role in ABC’s potential Rookie franchise. The original The Rookie was unaffected, except for the shortened season that impacted all other scripted broadcast shows during this period.

Besides “Feds,” other broadcast series were terminated due to the strikes. For instance, ABC halted the revival of “The Wonder Years” and postponed the production of “The Good Doctor” spin-off titled “The Good Lawyer.” Meanwhile, on other networks, The CW cancelled “Gotham Knights,” while NBC ended its sitcoms such as “Young Rock,” “Grand Crew,” and “American Auto.

A New Entry in ‘The Rookie’ Franchise

Although The Rookie: Feds concluded after only one season in 2023, the prospect of a Rookie franchise continues to thrive, as confirmed by ABC in December 2024. In development is a spin-off with ties to the original, taking place in Washington state and revolving around an older police officer seeking fresh opportunities in the next stage of his career. Nathan Fillion and The Rookie’s creator Alexi Hawley are serving as executive producers on this upcoming series, which has received a script commitment but still lacks a series or pilot order.

The surge in creating a new spin-off might be attributed to the popularity of “The Rookie” on streaming platforms like Hulu, consistently appearing on their top lists. With an increasing number of people choosing to abandon traditional cable, networks are now taking into account delayed viewing and streaming statistics along with live ratings. If picked up, this spin-off wouldn’t debut this season but could air alongside “The Rookie” in the fall of next year – providing that “The Rookie” is renewed for another season. Given the network’s faith and readiness to attempt a spin-off again, there’s a strong possibility that “The Rookie” could evolve into the next significant police procedural franchise.

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2024-12-24 20:32