The Rookie creator Alexi Hawley broke down the show’s biggest Season 8 finale twists and teased what lies ahead in Season 9. The showrunner revealed plans for familiar villains, fresh faces, and a rescue mission that will kick off the new season.

Alexi Hawley talks about The Rookie Season 9 plot and which characters can return

Creator Alexi Hawley revealed major Season 9 plans for ABC’s The Rookie in an interview with Deadline. Season 9 will open with the squad racing to rescue Tim and Lucy after their abduction. Warlord Heath Everett ordered the kidnapping as revenge against Tim for refusing his bribe.

Hawley confirmed Everett targets only Tim and Lucy. “It is meant to be just for Tim and Lucy, and it’s really meant to be Tim because Everett said, ‘You’re going to regret this,'” Hawley said. He also confirmed a mysterious right-hand person pulls strings on Everett’s behalf from outside prison.

On the rescue mission, Hawley said the storyline will launch Season 9 immediately. “We’re definitely gonna start that way, figure out where they are, and figure out how to get them back,” he explained. He added that Tim and Lucy will not “sit idly by and wait to be rescued.”

Serial killer Liam Glasser will also return after losing custody of his children following Nolan’s testimony. “It’ll definitely be Season 9, I don’t want to wait too long to see him again,” Hawley confirmed. However, the Tim and Lucy rescue will take priority in early episodes.

Hawley shared plans to revisit villains from the show’s earliest seasons. “Are there some people that we put away that would actually have served their time, gotten out?” he asked. New rookies will also join the cast, as current rookie Miles graduates before Season 9.

On a potential Chenford wedding, Hawley remained uncertain about the format. “I think what’s safe to say is that it needs to be satisfying,” he stated. He promised he would “never just shortchange it” but admitted he has not found a fresh approach yet.