ABC’s Rookie & Will Trent Delayed to 2026: Fans Face 8-Month Wait

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Beware: The finales of The Rookie season 7 and Will Trent season 3 contain spoilers. Similar to this year, ABC has chosen to delay the premieres of The Rookie season 8 and Will Trent season 4. This move makes sense from a narrative standpoint, but it’s painful to wait, especially given how the seasons just wrapped up so dramatically. The significant cliffhangers have left us craving more, and now we face at least an eight-month wait for closure.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the news about delaying seasons 8 of The Rookie and season 4 of Will Trent until midseason has left me somewhat taken aback. Given their immense popularity on ABC, it’s surprising to see them postponed while shows with lower ratings, like Grey’s Anatomy, return in the fall. This situation makes me wonder about the reasons behind this move and whether it might potentially impact these beloved shows negatively when they eventually come back.

The Rookie Season 7 & Will Trent Season 3 Finales Set Up Exciting Futures

We Need More After the Cliffhanger Endings

In seasons 7 of The Rookie and season 3 of Will Trent, there were surprising cliffhangers left us hanging. At the conclusion of The Rookie’s seventh season, there was a desperate chase to apprehend Oscar, who kidnapped Nolan and disappeared into the desert. Thankfully, Harper located him, but ultimately, Oscar once more evaded capture by the police. In an unexpected twist, Oscar revealed that it was Monica who helped him escape prison initially. By the end of the episode, we discover that Monica was being freed as a result of a deal she made with federal authorities.

During the final episode of season 3 for “Will Trent”, two characters seemed to be in grave danger. Ormewood suffered a seizure due to a discovered brain tumor, but luckily, Faith managed to dial 911 in time. In the hospital, Amanda made it through surgery after being wounded in her chest, however, she slipped into a coma. Over the next 48 hours, Will was told that they were crucial, and he pleaded with Amanda to regain consciousness as he desperately needed his loved ones by his side.

These finales establish thrilling plotlines for what’s coming up next. We wonder if the Will Trent characters will live through their ordeals, and if so, what kind of restrictions they might face and whether they would have to quit their jobs. The Rookie concludes with uncertainty about the extent of Monica’s future mischief now that she’s been released.

ABC Delays The Rookie & Will Trent To 2026

We Have An 8-Month Wait For More Of The ABC Dramas

Currently, we’re in a situation where we need to be patient, and this pause is likely to feel unbearably long given how the series concluded. Unlike our usual three or four-month hiatus during summer, this prolonged wait could seem interminable, particularly without any hints or updates along the way to help us cope. Nevertheless, this isn’t an unprecedented scenario for ABC, as we experienced a similar wait for two shows last season.

In May 2024, ABC made an unexpected announcement that they were postponing the debuts of “Will Trent” and “The Rookie”. The delay of “The Rookie” was particularly startling since it had traditionally been a show for the fall season, with the exception of the year affected by strikes. Contrastingly, “Will Trent” had initially been a midseason series from its first season but was expected to move to the fall due to its impressive performance.

Based on the linear ratings, the decision was wise, but it doesn’t simplify matters for us. These are two of the most frequently watched shows on our network, and typically, networks aim to capitalize on this by airing them during fall. The fall is a time when viewers anticipate their favorite shows returning, scheduling time in September and October. Airing the shows during midseason, however, carries the risk that viewers might forget about the cliffhangers and not tune back in.

Why ABC Set The Rookie Season 8 & Will Trent Season 4 To Midseason Returns

ABC Is Focusing On Continuity For The Two Shows

The action might actually be advantageous for the overall success of these shows. According to Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, as reported by Deadline, the delay in airing is aimed at ensuring stability and continuity. He further explained that postponing the shows until midseason during the 2024-2025 broadcast year would be beneficial for both “Will Trent” and “The Rookie”, with the former showing steady growth annually and the latter consistently performing well.

One reason he thinks this occurred is because of the consistent pace or momentum. By broadcasting 18-episode seasons from January onwards, there was no requirement for a lengthy winter break. The two shows had brief pauses due to political programming, but unlike the typical one-to-two month holiday pause around Christmas and New Year, this continuous airing kept audiences engaged and attentive to each episode’s events.

Show ‘Will Trent’ was exceptional as it saw an increase in audience year after year. I believe a significant factor contributing to this growth was our strategy to air every episode sequentially from January, which generates a steady forward motion.

Unfortunately, we’re disheartened by the fact that we won’t be able to enjoy new episodes of “The Rookie” and “Will Trent” anytime soon. But on a brighter note, both shows are available on Hulu, allowing us to catch up and refresh our memories of their conclusions. Additionally, it’s good to know that the shows will resume from January to May in 2026, giving us something exciting to look forward to.

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2025-05-17 16:38