The Rookie’slongtime showrunner Alexi Hawley shared thata crossover event fans have been hopeful about won’t be in the cards for the ABC series. ThroughoutThe Rookie’srun on ABC, viewers have been hopeful that a crossover event between some of the network’s other successful procedurals could be possible. With the show’s LA location, one fellow procedural seemed like a perfect fit.
ScreenRant’s Rachel Foertsch attendedThe Rookie’sSan Diego Comic Con panel, featuring Hawley and Nathan Fillion,and learned that a crossover betweenThe Rookieand fan-favorite9-1-1isn’t likely.Alexi explained that introducing characters from either series into the same world wouldn’t work in the long-run, as they’d consistently run into each other. Sadly, fans of both shows won’t see the universes meld.
Though many have been hopeful thatThe Rookieand9-1-1would intersect in some way since the Ryan Murphy series moved to ABC in 2024, the shows have two completely different versions of Los Angeles that would likely conflict when trying to bring a story together. Regardless of fans hopes,Hawley explained that it would be too complicated to bring the worlds together.
What Alexi Hawley Shooting Down A Rookie/9-1-1 Crossover Means
It’s Unlikely To Happen In The Future
Though viewers who enjoy both9-1-1andThe Rookiehave long said that both shows being on ABC gives them the perfect opportunity to crossover,Hawley specifically saying it won’t happen means it’s highly unlikely. Despite the ease of access now that the shows exist in the same space, blending the universes does sound particularly difficult for a few reasons.
WhileThe Rookiehas its own versionof the LAPD and LAFD, bringing in9-1-1would have to rejig the concepts already introduced into the universe about LA’s first responders. Though it would be interesting to see howThe Rookie’sTim and Lucy would interact with9-1-1’sBuck and Eddie,making the logic behind their meeting work would require some mental gymnastics.
Though the idea feels interesting and palpable, making it work would likely be too difficult for the writers, and ultimately would probably be less-than-satisfying for viewers.Fans may be disappointed by the news, but ultimately, it feels like the best case scenario for both writing teams is to stay intheir own version of Los Angeleswithout crossing wires.
Our Take On Alexi Hawley Shooting Down A Crossover Event
Sadly, It’s What Was Expected
Although some were convinced that9-1-1would eventually crossover withThe Rookie,most knew that it was unlikely to happen for logistical reasons. Hearing Hawley address it head-on at SDCC made it clear that though it’s a fun idea, it wouldn’t work within the universes of each show. While some may be disappointed,The Rookie’strack record with crossovers should bring some relief.
Despite having a great run on their own,The Rookie’sfew crossover events with their former spin-off,The Rookie: Feds, left many underwhelmed. Rather than bringing a9-1-1andThe Rookiecrossover into existence that doesn’t satisfy fans,keeping both shows in their own lane is likely the best option for everyone involved.
