‘The Rookie’: FBI Spinoff With Niecy Nash in the Works at ABC

Niecy Nash
Karl Ferguson Jr.

We may be adding The Rookie to the list of shows with spinoffs.

ABC has announced that Niecy Nash will guest star as Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI academy, in two embedded pilot episodes of the police drama. Clark is described as “a force of nature, the living embodiment of a dream deferred.” These two episodes could set the stage for a potential untitled spinoff for next season, with it and The Rookie existing in the same universe. In other words, if the show is picked up, expect crossovers, probably like on two of ABC’s other dramas, Grey’s Anatomy and its firefighter spinoff Station 19.

So how will Clark cross paths with the LAPD’s oldest rookie, Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion)? According to ABC, Nolan and the LA division of the FBI enlist the FBI trainee’s help when one of her former students is suspected of terrorism following an explosion at a local power station.

“I’m so excited to guest star on The Rookie and bring Simone Clark to life! She is a spirited and spicy fish out of water,” Nash said in a statement. “The cast is amazing and I can’t wait to play!”

The Rookie also stars Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune, and Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers. Creator Alexi Hawley executive produces with Mark Gordon, Fillion, Michelle Chapman, Jon Steinberg, Bill Norcross, and Terence Paul Winter.

Nash’s TV credits include ClawsNever Have I EverReno 911! and Mrs. America.

The Rookie, Sundays, 10/9c, ABC