Jay Ellis Praises 'The Rookie: North' Pilot, Hints at Potential Crossovers with Original Series

Jay Ellis expressed confidence in the upcoming spinoff, suggesting that fans of the original procedural will embrace the new characters and direction.

ABC has yet to make an official determination regarding The Rookie: North, its current drama pilot featuring Jay Ellis as the lead. The project serves as a spinoff from the network's established procedural The Rookie, which stars Nathan Fillion.

The delay in the network's decision may stem from ABC executives not having reviewed the finished pilot. Ellis, who spoke with Deadline on Wednesday during NBCUniversal's Emmy Kick-Off luncheon—an event promoting his role in Peacock's limited series All Her Fault—disclosed that he was en route to the final mix session for the pilot at the time of the interview.

Though he acknowledged not having viewed the polished broadcast version, Ellis offered enthusiastic remarks about the production. "I have seen the pilot twice, I think it's great," the actor stated. "I think you're gonna fall in love with all these characters."

The comments suggest optimism surrounding the spinoff's potential reception among the original series' fanbase, with Ellis's remarks implying broader storytelling possibilities for the franchise.