Jay Ellis, who leads the new ABC drama The Rookie: North, wants to bring major film stars to the show. In a recent interview, the actor shared his ambitious plan to recruit former co-stars for guest roles.
The Top Gun: Maverick influence on Pierce County
Jay Ellis is set to play Alex Holland, a character who joins the police force in Pierce County, Washington, after a personal break-in. In a departure from his previous roles, Holland will serve as the oldest rookie on the force, a narrative device that allows the character to explore personal growth alongside professional training. Having played Reuben 'Payback' Fitch in the billion-dollar hit Top Gun: Maverick, Ellis is bringing a high-octane approach to this new ABC spin-off.
The actor noted that his time working alongside Tom Cruise has instilled a commitment to physical performance. As reported by Us Magazine, Ellis intends to perform his own stunts in The Rookie: North, citing his experience with Navy jets and water survival training as preparation for the upcoming series .
A recruitment drive targeting Issa Rae and Glen Powell
The actor's casting ambitions extend far beyond a single guest appearance, as he plans to reach out to a wide array of former collaborators. Ellis mentioned his intention to contact stars from Insecure, such as Issa Rae, as well as his Top Gun: Maverick colleagues including Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Danny Ramirez, and Lewis Pullman. He also highlighted potential connections from Netflix's Running Point, which features Kate Hudson and Brenda Song, and the production All Her Fault, featuring Sara Snook.
Ellis joked that he would be relentless in his pursuit, promising to follow up text messages with direct phone calls and agent inquiries. "All of you will get text messages followed by phone calls," Ellis stated, emphasizing his desire to bring a sense of familiarity to the new set through these high-profile guest spots.
Building on the 9.25 million viewer momentum of the original series
The Rookie: North arrives as a spin-off to a massive commercial success that has been a staple of ABC programming since 2018.. The original series,which features Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, has demonstrated significant staying power and audience engagement. According to the report, the season 8 finale of the original series set a new record with 9.25 million viewers over a seven-day streaming period.
This massive audience provides a sturdy foundation for the new series, which is expected to debut in early 2027.. The transition from the original series to this new iteration represents a significant expansion of the franchise's footprint in the procedural drama genre.
The question of whether ABC can afford a blockbuster cast
While Ellis's enthusiasm for a high-profile cast is clear, several practical questions remain regarding the production of The Rookie: North. It is currently unknown if ABC will be able to secure the scheduling of major film stars like Tom Cruise or Glen Powell for episodic television. Furthermore, while the spin-off is expected in early 2027, a specific release date has yet to be finalized by the network.
The success of such a strategy likely depends on whether the production can balance the high-budget feel of a blockbuster with the requirements of a weekly scripted drama. additionally, it remains to be seen if the network will support the high costs associated with such an "illustrious list" of guest stars as mentioned by the actor.
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