Why ‘The Rookie: Feds’ Was Canceled After Just One Season

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Over the course of its impressive seven-season run, ABC’s “The Rookie” has proven to be a hit for the network. With its captivating cast and thrilling episodes, there’s no denying that the show has an irresistible allure that keeps viewers hooked. Although the series features multiple characters, it primarily revolves around John Nolan (played by Nathan Fillion), the oldest rookie to join the Los Angeles Police Department. Given its remarkable success, a spin-off of the show has often seemed like a logical next step.

Viewers embraced the spin-off titled “The Rookie: Feds“. However, it encountered a tough situation from the start due to its decision to introduce a fresh set of characters rather than continuing with one from the initial series. Unlike how “The Rookie” revolves around Nolan and the LAPD, “The Rookie: Feds” centers around Simone Clark (played by Niecy Nash) and the FBI Academy. Regrettably, viewers didn’t respond as positively to the new series as they did to the original, leading to the cancellation of “The Rookie: Feds” after just one season.

Same Story, Different Organization in ‘The Rookie: Feds’

In essence, both “The Rookie” and “The Rookie: Feds” revolve around characters who stand out due to their age and novice status at work. Despite the difference in characters and the organizations they represent (the LAPD and FBI Academy), the core storyline remains consistent. Instead of expanding an existing character from “The Rookie,” this spin-off introduces a fresh cast, who were previously only glimpsed in a solitary backdoor pilot episode during Season 4.

Due to their shared storylines, spectators started drawing parallels between the shows. Generally speaking, many viewers found themselves rooting for John Nolan over Simone Clark. Viewers were already familiar with John Nolan and felt that Simone’s character seemed implausible in resolving the show’s diverse conflicts. On the other hand, the character of John Nolan fit seamlessly into the dramatic atmosphere of the series, while Simone Clark occasionally got lost within the peculiar comedic vibe of The Rookie: Feds.

Decent Critic Ratings Weren’t Enough To Save ‘The Rookie: Feds’

Despite The Rookie: Feds receiving a relatively positive response from critics, earning an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, it didn’t resonate well with most viewers, who gave it a low rating of 19%. Viewers found that the series had difficulty maintaining tone, as attempts at humor seemed to conflict with its FBI setting and the serious topics like social and political issues that the show tackles.

Some commentators pointed out that although the show endeavors genuinely to explore themes of diversity and politics, integrating these elements into the storylines seemed rather haphazard and artificially imposed at times, making the ensuing conversations appear superficial or tokenistic. The series, with its heavy emphasis on Simone’s backstory, seems to have overlooked the character development that made shows like “The Rookie” shine.

Multiple Factors Influenced the Cancellation of ‘The Rookie: Feds’

Beyond its poor viewer ratings, the show The Rookie: Feds encountered significant difficulties from the onset. With the growing popularity of streaming platforms and their exclusive series, traditional television networks are encountering steeper competition. This increased competition, manifested in lower viewership, has resulted in decreased revenue. Unfortunately, not enough viewers were tuning in to The Rookie: Feds to generate the necessary funds for continued production, making it a victim of the streaming wars.

If “The Rookie: Feds” had moved forward with Season 2, preparations for filming would have been made in the year 2023. Unfortunately, writers’ and actors’ strikes occurred during that period, causing a ripple effect throughout the entertainment sector. Once the strikes ended, ABC decided to terminate the show as it no longer aligned with their broader business strategies.

While The Rookie: Feds was a genuine effort at a spin-off, it might be best for fans to stay with the original series. You can stream The Rookie on Hulu, but if you’re interested in The Rookie: Feds, you can purchase it on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.

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2025-04-28 00:08