Everything you need to know about Niecy Nash-Betts’ new show ‘The Rookie: Feds’

When Nathan Fillion hit the LAPD scene as rookie officer John Nolan back in 2018 with the debut of The Rookie, he reminded us all that second careers aren’t just reserved for project management and human resources. As it turns out, life-threatening, physical gigs are also on the table.

Well, now that Nolan is no longer a rookie, the Powers That Be figured it was time to bring a new rookie character with a backstory to the mix. And that brings us to the anticipated Rookie spinoff, The Rookie: Feds. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this hot new drama before it makes its splashy debut this fall.

What is The Rookie: Feds about?

The Rookie: Feds is a true spinoff in every sense of the word. And what we mean by that is the show was introduced in a two-part special during the fourth season of The Rookie. Those episodes introduced us to Simone Clark (Niecy Nash-Betts)—the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy. She came onto the scene when Nolan and the LA division of the FBI asked her to help them after one of her former students was suspected in a terrorist attack.

The episodes were well received by audiences and network brass alike and the official spinoff was born. Going forward we’ll see Clark in her element as she works her way up the ladder at the FBI… one rung at a time.

Who stars in The Rookie: Feds?

Clearly Nash-Betts is the star here, especially coming off the past couple of years she’s had. In addition to landing this role she stepped in as temporary host of The Masked Singer in Season 5 after Nick Cannon tested positive for COVID. Now, she’s also the new host of Don’t Forget the Lyrics. In other words, this woman is in demand.

But who else is starring in The Rookie Feds? We’re sure anyone from the original Rookie (including Nathan Fillion) could stop by at any time, but for now we do know that Frankie Faison (Banshee) plays Christopher “Cutty” Clark and Felix Solis (Ozark) is on board as Special Agent Matthew Garza.

Who is working on The Rookie: FEDS behind-the-scenes?

This show features most of the same creatives as the original, including co-creators and executive producers Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter, who previously worked together on Castle. Mark Gordon, who has produced dozens of TV shows over the years, is also on board and Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash-Betts are also credited as executive producers.

How will The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds work together?

Right now it’s not clear how much the worlds of The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds will intersect, but it seems likely they will -- in a trailer for the show, Clark "texts in" Nathan Fillion's LAPD. Plus, thanks to shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19, or the entire Chicago One world, TV series set within the same worlds have seen a lot of success when they stage crossover events and share characters.

Given how The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds are also sharing creative teams, it would be surprising if the shows didn’t cross over occasionally. Still, nothing official has been confirmed at time of press beyond what we see in the trailer.  

Where does The Rookie: Feds film?

Like the original, this spinoff is films in California.

Where can I watch The Rookie: Feds?

The Rookie: Feds debuts September 27 at 10pm ET/PT and then airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app on Android and iOS. You can also stream episodes on-demand the next day on CTV.ca and on the CTV app on Android and iOS.