The Rookieseason 7 showrunner Alexi Hawley confirms there will be two holiday episodes in the forthcoming season when new episodes start airing.The Rookieseason 7didn’t come back during its usual Fall time slot on ABC, with the full season instead pushed back to 2025 to accommodate for new shows airing on the network. However, this also means the show can experiment with how it presents its new episodes, potentially in acknowledgment of the new stretch of time during which it’s going to air.
Now,Hawleyhas confirmed on BlueSky thatThe Rookieseason 7 will include “a Valentines Day and an April Fools episode,” the two holiday specials now officially in the lineup. It appears the creators will be taking full advantage of its late start, promising fun episodes that will be thematic for the upcoming storyline. This also indicates plenty of surprises could happen during these particular episodes, though it’s unclear what the stories are going to entail just yet. Check out what Hawley had to say below:
What Hawley’s Confirmation About The Rookie’s Holiday Specials Means For Season 7
Key Events Could Happen During Either Episode
The Rookieseason 6 finaleended on a major cliffhanger, with Monica (Bridget Regan) breaking Oscar (Matthew Glave) and Jason (Steve Kazee) out of prison. This threatens Bailey (Jenna Dewan) who is now married to Nolan (Nathan Fillion), but whose ex-husband could be coming back for revenge. Given the dynamics a dramatic Valentine’s Day episode could hold, it may focus on him seeking her out. However, since Dewan will be absent from early episodes due to her real-life pregnancy, it’s unclear if this could be the case.
8 Things That Need To Happen In The Rookie Season 7
The Rookie season 7 premieres in January 2025, and given what happened in season 6, the upcoming episodes need to fix and introduce many things.
The April Fools' episode is more difficult to pin down, as plenty of events across season 7 could happen to indicate what story beats the episode will feature. Since thecast ofThe Rookieis the same from season 6’s finale, it will doubtlessly involve them interacting with each other in fun, interesting ways. Though it might also involve a case of someone calling the police for a prank and getting arrested, something that can set the tone while also offering a vital lesson on what people probably shouldn’t do on April Fools' Day.
Our Take On The Rookie’s Valentines & April Fools' Specials
A Good Way To Celebrate The New Release Schedule
While new episodes ofThe Rookiehave released around Valentine’s Day and April Fools', these specials can still be considered celebratory for the show’s new schedule. Because it will be premiering in early 2025, both these episodes will be a bit later into the season, with one being significantly earlier than the other. However, featuring the two holidays makes sense given the current release schedule, something that will be likely be reflected in how their events play out.
The Rookieseason 7 begins Tuesday, July 31, 2025 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Rookie
Cast
The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who embarks on a new career as an LAPD officer after a life-changing event. As the force’s oldest rookie, Nolan faces skepticism from superiors who view his pursuit as a midlife crisis.
