ABC Stil Hasn’t Renewed Two Fan-Favorite Hit Shows & That’s Mind-Boggling

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It’s surprising that ABC hasn’t renewed its two most popular shows yet, even this far into the current TV season. With the 2025-2026 season winding down, shows are starting to prepare for their season finales. This is also the time when networks usually decide which shows to bring back for next fall and which ones to cancel.

ABC began its new season slightly ahead of CBS and NBC. While those networks waited until late September or October 2025 to launch their shows, ABC started around mid-September, which is why Kaitlin Olson’s High Potential has already finished its second season. Other shows, like season 22 of Grey’s Anatomy and the 9-1-1 series, had several pauses throughout 2026 to make sure their season finales aired at the usual time. Although most of its major scripted shows, including these three, are confirmed to continue, the network is still deciding the fate of two other projects.

The Rookie Season 9 & Will Trent Season 5 Haven’t Been Renewed

As a big TV fan, I’m a little surprised ABC hasn’t officially renewed The Rookie for season 9 or Will Trent for season 5 yet. For years, those two shows were a solid pairing on Tuesday nights, but when The Rookie moved to Mondays, things shifted. Still, both are really popular police dramas for the network, and you’d think ABC would have made a decision by now, given how well they’ve done. It’s definitely making me wonder what’s going on behind the scenes!

ABC strategically launches both The Rookie and Will Trent in the winter months rather than during the fall. This approach, despite longer breaks between seasons, is proving successful for the network. Both shows perform well not only with live and same-day viewers but also on streaming platforms, with episodes becoming available on Hulu the day after they air. Furthermore, The Rookie and Will Trent have gained a strong following on social media.

Though not as established as long-running hits like CBS’s NCIS and NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, The Rookie and Will Trent offer a fresh take on the classic police drama format. They’re attracting new audiences and helping ABC become known for this type of show, which made their renewal seem like a straightforward decision.

What Are The Chances Of ABC Renewing The Rookie & Will Trent?

According to a report from February (via Deadline), both The Rookie and Will Trent are likely to be renewed due to their popularity. Discussions about continuing Alex Hawley’s The Rookie with Lionsgate TV had already begun, but there haven’t been any updates since. While the show is expected to return next fall or winter, it will likely have a smaller budget, meaning a shorter season or fewer episodes featuring the main cast. This budget cut is surprising, especially after the show kicked off its eighth season with filming in Prague.

The newer series Will Trent is also likely to be back for the 2026-2027 season. It’s currently ABC’s most-watched scripted show when looking at live and same-day ratings, and network executives are reportedly very pleased with it. It’s unclear, however, whether the show will face budget cuts like those affecting The Rookie and other long-running series.

If all the reports are true, it’s strange that ABC hasn’t made a decision about the series in question. It also makes you wonder if this uncertainty is affecting how The Rookie and Will Trent are wrapping up their current seasons. Hopefully, ABC will announce their plans soon.

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2026-04-12 21:04