Get ready for a fresh take on the cop drama genre! Chris Sullivan, the beloved actor from This Is Us, is stepping into a brand-new role that’s bound to captivate audiences. But here’s where it gets exciting: he’s joining the cast of ABC’s The Rookie: North pilot, a spinoff of the hit series The Rookie, created by Alexi Hawley. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just another big-city cop show. Hawley is flipping the script by setting the series in Pierce County, Washington, where the landscape ranges from urban streets to rural forests, meth labs, and even a National Park. It’s a slice of America we don’t often see on screen, and it’s designed to stand out both visually and thematically.
Sullivan will play Sgt. Nix, a newly promoted Watch Commander who still yearns for the action of the streets. If the pilot gets picked up, he’ll be a series regular, starring alongside Insecure alum Jay Ellis, who leads the show as Alex Holland. Alex is a man in his midlife who, after a violent home invasion, rediscovers a sense of purpose by joining the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie. But here’s the twist: this isn’t your typical midlife crisis story. Alex’s journey is deeply personal, fueled by a tragic past that Hawley promises to explore. It’s a character-driven narrative that feels both fresh and relatable, especially for those who’ve ever felt lost or unfulfilled.
And this is where it gets controversial: Hawley’s decision to set the show outside the usual procedural hotspots like New York or L.A. is a bold move. Is this the future of cop dramas, or will audiences miss the fast-paced, high-stakes energy of big-city policing? Let us know what you think in the comments!
The pilot is set to begin filming in Vancouver next month, with Hawley at the helm as writer and executive producer through his Perfectman Pictures. Joining him are EPs Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Chapman, with Lionsgate and 20th Television backing the project. Unlike The Rookie: Feds, this spinoff is a stand-alone pilot, meaning no crossovers with the original series—at least not yet. And while Ellis won’t appear on The Rookie this season, the spinoff is targeting next season, so there’s plenty of time for the story to unfold.
Sullivan, a two-time Emmy nominee, is no stranger to stealing the spotlight. Best known for his six-season run as Toby on This Is Us, he’s also flexed his acting muscles in projects like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, and Stranger Things. His next big-screen role? Starring opposite Chris Pratt in Amazon MGM Studios’ Mercy. With such a diverse portfolio, Sullivan’s casting in The Rookie: North feels like a perfect fit for a show that’s already shaping up to be a game-changer.
So, what do you think? Is The Rookie: North the breath of fresh air cop dramas need, or will it struggle to find its place in a crowded genre? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your take!
