This Is Us Star Chris Sullivan Lands Big Role In Abc'S Gritty Rookie Spinoff

Breaking Casting News

Chris Sullivan, the beloved actor from hits like This Is Us and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, has just scored a major gig in ABC's upcoming drama pilot The Rookie: North. This spinoff from the popular series The Rookie puts Sullivan in the role of Sgt. Nix, a newly promoted Watch Commander who's torn between desk duty and his street-pounding roots. If the pilot gets the green light for a full series, fans can expect Sullivan as a series regular, teaming up with Jay Ellis, who leads the show as the rookie cop finding his purpose late in life.

The buzz around Hollywood is that Sullivan's addition brings some serious emotional depth to the mix, given his track record in heartfelt roles. He's set to star alongside Ellis in this standalone project, which keeps things fresh by not tying directly into the original Rookie series like past spinoffs did.

The Story Behind The Rookie: North

This new series follows Alex Holland, played by Ellis, a guy who's hit midlife and thought his best days were behind him – until a shocking home invasion sparks a major life change. He ditches his Los Angeles comforts to become the oldest rookie at the Pierce County Police Department in Washington, facing everything from city streets to remote forests where help is hard to come by. It's a global tale of redemption that could resonate from LA to London, showing how one man's quest for meaning shakes up his world.

Alex has to prove himself to his tough training officer, fellow rookies, and even himself, blending urban grit with rural challenges. The show's creator, Alexi Hawley, is shaking up the cop genre by stepping away from big-city settings, making it feel more universal and relatable across cultures.

“I think every patrol cop show has been big-city oriented, but I got excited about capturing a bigger slice of America where people actually live,” shared Hawley, highlighting the appeal of mixing urban and rural vibes in the series.

Creator's Vision and Production Details

Hawley, who's behind the original Rookie series, spilled the beans earlier this year while hyping the show's eighth season, explaining why setting this spinoff in Washington feels so fresh. He pointed out that the location – from Tacoma's urban scenes to wooded areas and even a military base – adds a unique visual and thematic twist that stands out in the procedural world. It's not just another LA story; it's got that international flavor, drawing from real-life policing vibes that could play in Seoul or Mumbai.

The pilot is gearing up to film next month in Vancouver, with no plans for Ellis to pop up on the main Rookie series this season. Produced by Lionsgate and 20th Television, Hawley's Perfectman Pictures is leading the charge, alongside executive producers like Nathan Fillion and Mark Gordon. This keeps the project focused and standalone, avoiding any messy crossovers.

Chris Sullivan's Star Power

Sullivan, a two-time Emmy nominee, is no stranger to stealing the spotlight, having spent six seasons as Toby on This Is Us and recently wowing audiences as prosecutor Bill Kunkle Jr. in Peacock's Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. His TV resume is packed with gems like Stranger Things, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Good Fight, plus films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 where he played the memorable Taserface.

Looking ahead, Sullivan's lined up for Amazon MGM's Mercy alongside Chris Pratt, proving he's got the range for both TV and big-screen hits. With reps from Gersh and other top agencies, he's clearly on a roll, bringing his signature intensity to this new role that fans are already buzzing about worldwide.