Why ABC’s “The Rookie: Feds” Didn’t Make It Past the First Season

ABC’s The Rookie: Feds seemed poised for success when it premiered in September 2022. A spin-off of the hit series The Rookie, the show introduced viewers to a fresh take on the procedural crime genre, following Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, the oldest rookie at the FBI Academy. Despite an intriguing premise and a charismatic lead, the series was canceled after just one season. So what went wrong?

A Promising Premise That Didn’t Fully Click

The show followed Simone Clark, a former school guidance counselor who, after years of wanting to serve, finally joins the FBI. Unlike traditional agents, Simone brings an unorthodox approach to solving cases, often clashing with standard FBI protocol. This made her character a compelling lead—one that was confident, witty, and determined.

Supporting her was a solid ensemble cast, including James Lesure as Special Agent Carter Hope, a by-the-book agent who frequently found himself at odds with Simone’s unconventional style. Kevin Zegers played Special Agent Brendon Acres, a former actor-turned-agent trying to prove himself, while Britt Robertson portrayed Special Agent Laura Stensen, a brilliant yet socially awkward profiler. Felix Solis rounded out the cast as Special Agent Matthew Garza, a veteran agent overseeing the unit.

The dynamic between characters was one of the show’s strong points. Simone’s free-spirited nature clashed with the FBI’s rigid structure, particularly in her interactions with Carter Hope, creating a fun yet tense mentor-mentee relationship. Meanwhile, Brendon Acres provided a fresh perspective as a newcomer to law enforcement, often serving as comic relief.

Why It Was Canceled

Despite these strengths, several factors contributed to the show’s cancellation:

1. Industry Strikes and Production Delays

The 2023 Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes led to significant disruptions across the industry. Many networks, including ABC, had to reevaluate their lineups due to production delays and financial setbacks. With uncertainty around scheduling, The Rookie: Feds became one of several shows that didn’t make the cut.

2. Ratings and Scheduling Challenges

Unlike its parent show, The Rookie, which benefited from a strong Sunday night slot, The Rookie: Feds was placed on Tuesdays, following Bachelor in Paradise. This pairing may not have been the best fit, as the audience for a reality dating show doesn’t necessarily overlap with a crime procedural. Ratings were decent but not strong enough to guarantee renewal.

3. Disney’s Cost-Cutting Strategy

ABC’s parent company, Disney, has been making significant cuts to its general entertainment content, focusing more on streaming and high-performing franchises. Since The Rookie: Feds was produced by Entertainment One, which held international distribution rights, it may have been seen as less valuable to Disney compared to in-house productions.

Final Thoughts

While The Rookie: Feds had an engaging cast and an entertaining premise, it ultimately faced too many hurdles to secure a second season. Its mix of action, humor, and character-driven storytelling made it a unique addition to the procedural genre, but industry-wide challenges, scheduling missteps, and corporate restructuring sealed its fate. Fans of Niecy Nash-Betts and the Rookie universe will have to settle for rewatching the first season—unless Simone Clark finds another way back onto our screens in the future.