The Rookie stars Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan are hoping Season 9 gives fan-favorite couple John Nolan and Bailey Nune a little breathing room after everything they’ve endured over the past two seasons.
Speaking during San Diego Comic-Con, Fillion joked that the pair has certainly earned a calmer chapter.
“We deserve a break,” Fillion said, referring to Nolan and Bailey’s relationship.
The sentiment was echoed by showrunner Alexi Hawley, who reflected on the challenges the couple faced throughout Season 8. Bailey’s career took her across the country to Washington, D.C., forcing the couple into a long-distance relationship before they were reunited—only to face more dangerous situations together.
Despite hoping for smoother days ahead, Hawley hinted that Season 9 won’t be entirely drama-free.
He explained that Bailey will continue processing Nolan’s comments from last season about her constant need to stay busy, suggesting her struggle to slow down will remain an important storyline. Meanwhile, Nolan will eventually take on a new rookie, adding another major responsibility to his plate.
Jenna Dewan also shared what she loves most about Nolan and Bailey’s relationship, saying the couple’s conflicts usually come from the dangerous world around them rather than problems between each other.
“It’s external drama that we deal with as a couple,” Dewan explained. “We’re a team together, and I like watching how they navigate everything that happens around them.”
That team-first dynamic is something Dewan hopes continues in Season 9, even as new challenges inevitably arise.
While the cast is eager to see Nolan and Bailey enjoy a little more peace, Hawley’s comments suggest the couple’s journey is far from over. Between Bailey’s personal growth and Nolan mentoring a new rookie, fans can expect another emotional season when The Rookie returns to ABC in 2027.
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