The Rookie: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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The Rookie

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Season Details & Credits

ABC | Season Premiere Date: October 16, 2018

Summary: 40-year-old John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) decides to move from his hometown to Los Angeles to pursue his dream to join the LAPD in this crime drama from Alexi Hawley.

Creator: Alexi Hawley

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Action & Adventure

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E18. Homefront
Air Date: April 2, 2019

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Terry Terrones

Oct 9, 2018

[Fillion's] character fits him like a well-worn suit. ... Full of action, interesting characters, and a little bit of romance, The Rookie is a sure-fire hit. Read full review

Darren Franich

Oct 15, 2018

This feels like an ensemble with real potential. [19/26 Oct 2018, p.85]

Glenn Garvin

Oct 12, 2018

What really makes The Rookie interesting is watching Fillion maneuver among all these sharp elbows while balancing the shortage of adrenaline with the bonus supply of experience that both come with middle age. He does it all with the same let's-have-a-beer amiability he's displayed in shows as diverse as Firefly and Castle. He'll make you forget Kate Jackson is missing. Read full review

Chris Barton

Oct 16, 2018

Fillion’s strengths are key, because despite the show’s best efforts to drape multiple dramatic storylines around him in the one episode ABC made available to review, there’s just not a lot that stands out otherwise. ... It’s a breezy drama that doesn’t demand much from the viewer, but Fillion’s easy charm is tough to dismiss. Read full review

IndieWire Ben Travers

Oct 16, 2018

There’s enough parity in the group to keep viewers engaged, be it from their slew of emergencies (like a crazy man screaming about unicorns on top of his car) or testy inter-personal dynamics. Even after the ridiculous opening scene, Fillion manages to fill Nolan with enough foolish sincerity to be a believable human being. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Oct 16, 2018

Fillion is vulnerable and appealing, and he has welcome help from Richard T. Jones as his tough-as-nails boss. But The Rookie seems destined to test the limits of that charm, in a show where the shaky imagery can't obscure that we've seen every beat here before. Read full review

Michael Starr

Oct 12, 2018

Fillion fans will be happy to see their hero back on the tube; for everyone else, The Rookie has a “been there, done that” feel. Read full review

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User Reviews

PilotDiane

Nov 15, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great cast, taking an old narrative into deeper realms. It's a tough story to sell but Episode after episode, the characters keep growing and the direction feels natural and even new. It's easy to see the strong center that is Nathan Fillion, but the other hardened heroes with a heart of gold also make the show a winner. There's a great mentor vibe and they went straight for a work relationship and didn't string that along. Bravo. The comedy is subtle. I hope they get to weave in more.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

lulu12345

Oct 18, 2018

It was a great show. Nathan Fillion led the show very well with a great supporting cast. I am interested in seeing where it goes. The only thing I didn't like the romance. In my opinion, the old man young woman trope does not work. But I enjoyed the show overall and will be back for more.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

6r1zzly

Oct 20, 2018

The Firefly meets The Dark Matter. How cool is that? This series is worth your precious time. It's well written, dynamic and full of interesting characters.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Bigbro

Oct 21, 2018

This I gotta admit is the number one action of the fall it's no doubt one of the best shows of the year too I must admit I was unsure at first but let me tell you this was no doubt a hit for abc I know I'll be watching Tuesday. It's like Richard castle never even left plus the fact thatThis I gotta admit is the number one action of the fall it's no doubt one of the best shows of the year too I must admit I was unsure at first but let me tell you this was no doubt a hit for abc I know I'll be watching Tuesday. It's like Richard castle never even left plus the fact that there is hilarious humor doesn't hurt it either… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

SchroederRock

Nov 4, 2018

Several episodes in and I think The Rookie has become a series I can see myself staying invested in for at least a few seasons. Being a fan of Nathan Fillion makes getting into The Rookie a bit easier but a good casting choice doesn't make an entire show. There are several good castingSeveral episodes in and I think The Rookie has become a series I can see myself staying invested in for at least a few seasons. Being a fan of Nathan Fillion makes getting into The Rookie a bit easier but a good casting choice doesn't make an entire show. There are several good casting choices and a compelling foundation for the series - something that it shares with 9-1-1. Crime and police encounters can always have unique draws and getting to know the characters beyond their uniforms helps anchor the series deeper than your typical episode of COPS. Nathan Fillion's character in particular adds plenty of depth given his life situation (mid-life crisis with a twist). It still has room to grow but The Rookie has tons of promise and should have plenty of opportunities to deliver as the series ages.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Jbenfld

Apr 7, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My interest in this show stemmed from watching the trailers that were running on Facebook. While my wife and I have watched every episode so far, and plan to continue to do so, the show is not without its quirks. It has the typical cop-show shootout almost every week, the acting can be flat at times, and some of the storylines are a little far-fetched, but... that is also what makes the show fun. Gang shootouts, automatic weapons, mass prisoner escapes, high-speed chases, etc... are much more entertaining than what actual cops experience during routine shifts. The serious side of the show comes out when they are showing empathy for the city's homeless population, handling the discovery of an apartment full of illegal immigrants, and the relationship struggles with the rookies' families handling their transition to police officers. The show continues to be a draw for me, and as long as people watch it with the expectation of it being more of a comedy than a drama and do not expect it to be too realistic, I think they will like it also.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

grandpasgirl

Oct 17, 2018

After all the hype & being a Fillionite, I was soooo disappointed. Too chaotic; tried too hard to be funny. A 40-year old cop that ran full speed for five blocks and not even winded - really? And what happened to Nathan? Shot with unflattering lighting to make him look older? He just looksAfter all the hype & being a Fillionite, I was soooo disappointed. Too chaotic; tried too hard to be funny. A 40-year old cop that ran full speed for five blocks and not even winded - really? And what happened to Nathan? Shot with unflattering lighting to make him look older? He just looks gaunt, tired and life- worn until seen having breakfast with a girl young enough to be his daughter - not his lover. Suddenly handsome again. Decide! I'm going back to New Amsterdam - but with a heavy heart.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

SEE ALL 19 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

64

Series Overview
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: January 6, 2026
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: January 7, 2025
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: February 20, 2024
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 2022
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 26, 2021
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 3, 2021
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 29, 2019
Season 1

64
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 16, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E18. Homefront
  Air Date: April 2, 2019