Fans of the hit ABC police drama The Rookie have received confirmation that the show will be returning for its eighth season in 2026, though UK viewers face a familiar wait to see the new episodes.
When Can UK Fans Watch The Rookie Season 8?
The series, starring Nathan Fillion, Alyssa Diaz, and Richard T. Jones, is set for a major comeback. The Rookie season eight will debut on ABC and Hulu in the USA on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, with weekly episodes airing on Tuesdays.
Unfortunately, an official UK release date has not yet been announced. Historically, previous seasons have arrived on Sky Witness and the streaming service NOW after the American broadcast concludes. Season seven reached British screens in June 2025, following its US finale in May, suggesting a similar delay is likely for the new season.
Disney+, which hosts a significant amount of ABC and Hulu content, currently only offers the first four seasons of the show. The publication has contacted Sky for comment regarding the UK premiere date for season eight.
What's New in Season 8? Plot Details and Cast Changes
The new season promises explosive action and a significant change of scenery. A trailer released in December 2025 revealed that the action moves to Prague, where John Nolan (Fillion) and the LAPD collaborate with Interpol and the FBI to apprehend a prolific weapons trafficker.
Nolan and Officer Angela Lopez (Diaz) find themselves babysitting Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan), a character who previously attempted to flee. Stevens insists she is there to assist law enforcement, though Lopez remains sceptical. The trailer teases a global surveillance operation, unexpected sightseeing that turns into a fight, and the show's return to its Los Angeles roots with authentic body cam footage.
The season also brings significant personal drama. Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) announces his candidacy for District Attorney, while Nolan's wife, Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), is offered a transfer to Washington DC. This potential move forces Nolan to confront starting his career "at the very bottom again," putting his marriage and future in jeopardy. Furthermore, the villainous Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) is captured, and the trailer culminates with Monica Stevens escaping during a fracas.
Renewal and Fan Reaction
ABC renewed The Rookie for its eighth season in April 2025, following the success of its seventh outing. Star Nathan Fillion celebrated the news on Instagram, thanking fans for their support over seven seasons and congratulating the production team.
The new season is set to launch with "explosive action, unexpected alliances, and cases that stretch across continents," according to official teasers. While the exact UK air date on Sky Witness and NOW remains unconfirmed, the wait for the next chapter of John Nolan's story is nearly over for American audiences, with British fans hoping for news soon.
