Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…Eric Winter, who stars in ABC’s “The Rookie” as Sgt. While speaking with People at San Diego Comic-Con, Winter explained that the cast filmed an alternate ending for “The Rookie” Season 8 in case the show ended up getting canceled. Nonetheless, Winter assured there was a plan in place if “The Rookie” got the axe from ABC. Season 9 of “The Rookie” is expected to return in January 2027, and will likely pick up after the dramatic events of Season 8’s finale. In addition to O’Neil and Winter, “The Rookie” stars Nathan Fillion as Officer John Nolan, Mekia Cox as Detective Nyla Harper, Richard T. Jones as Lieut.