Is the popular drama about the oldest rookie in the LAPD about to face its toughest challenge yet: a streaming sentence? One might want to speed up their binge-watching, as the fate of this beloved series, The Rookie, on Netflix is rapidly changing across the globe.

The police procedural has achieved global success, but the distribution rights are triggering major viewing shifts for fans outside of the United States.

A countdown is officially underway in several regions, alerting fans to the series’ impending removal from the streaming giant. Notably, viewers in Australia only have approximately 28 days left to watch past seasons before the show departs from the Netflix library there.

The good news for US fans is that The Rookie has been renewed and Season 8 is officially scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10/9c on ABC.

The major move follows the licensing structure of the series, which is produced by 20th Television and Lionsgate. For United States audiences, however, the show's future remains tied to its network home on ABC. All new episodes, including the upcoming Season 8, will stream directly on Hulu, which is the dedicated platform for ABC content.

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The success of the show hinges on its charismatic and dedicated ensemble cast, who bring the LAPD’s Mid-Wilshire Division to life.

Leading the charge in Season 8, Nathan Fillion returns as John Nolan, joined by the full roster of his core team, including Melissa O’Neil as the newly promoted Sergeant Lucy Chen and Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, whose rekindled relationship will continue to evolve. Also returning are Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Jenna Dewan, Shawn Ashmore, and Lisseth Chavez, maintaining the show’s dynamic ensemble focus.

With past seasons moving around the globe, anticipation is building for the next chapter in the series.

The eighth season of The Rookie is set for high-stakes drama, immediately picking up the cliffhanger from the previous season finale, where two formidable antagonists, Oscar and Monica, remain free. According to Parade showrunner Alexi Hawley, promised a continuation of moments that drive the narrative forward in a fun way.

Furthermore, the premiere episode sends John Nolan and Bailey Nune to Prague, where they will engage in an exciting international operation, giving the series a thrilling narrative.

While The Rookie faces a complicated global streaming future, marked by a quick departure from platforms like Netflix Australia, the core narrative remains strong: Season 8 returns to ABC/Hulu in 2026, promising thrilling international action and the continuation of fan-favorite storylines.

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Have you heard about the new spin-off, The Rookie: North, that is currently in development? When you are going to watch all the seasons of The Rookie. Let us know in the comments below.