Will Jenna Dewan on ‘DWTS’ Affect ‘The Rookie’? Here’s How the Cast Reacted

UPDATE (9/2/26 at 2:07 p.m. ET): Jenna Dewan is clarifying how the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 competition will affect her role on ABC‘s The Rookie.

Both shows are currently in production, with The Rookie filming Season 9 and DWTS prepping for its Season 35 premiere later this month. While chatting exclusively with TV Insider after the DWTS cast announcement on Wednesday, September 2, Dewan revealed that she will tackle both projects simultaneously.

“I’m doing both at the same time,” she revealed. “They’re being amazing. They’re all so excited for this opportunity, and they’re really working it out between the two productions. But yes. I’m gonna be slightly insane going in between filming The Rookie and coming here and doing the shows, but it’s all exciting. I’m here for the challenge, and the best people in the world are working it out.”

As for whether her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, would be interested in making a cameo on The Rookie? “Yeah, I think that’s a no-brainer,” he shared. Dewan added, “That’d be amazing. Well, I know that the cast really would like you to come and teach them some [moves].”

Chmerkovskiy noted that he feels “so lucky” and “grateful” for the “many blessings” he has in his life at the moment. “I had an amazing season last year with Alix [Earle], followed up by this incredible opportunity to do the same with Jenna. Yeah, it’s a beautiful thing,” he gushed. “So, if I get a chance to then also be an extra on The Rookie, it would be an incredible privilege for me.”

 

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ORIGINAL STORY (9/2/26 at 10:33 a.m. ET):

Jenna Dewan will soon be trading in her firefighter uniform for a dance costume.

The actress was announced as one of the celebrities who will compete in the ballroom on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars. Having gotten her start as a professional backup dancer, Dewan scored her breakout acting role in the 2006 film Step Up. She has appeared in several memorable projects, including Witches of East End, Supergirl, and Devil on My Doorstep.

In recent years, Dewan has become best known for her role as Bailey Nune on ABC’s The Rookie. Dewan made her debut as the firefighter and EMT during Season 3 in 2021, and she was eventually promoted to a recurring and full-time cast member. Bailey tied the knot with the show’s main protagonist, John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), during Season 6 in 2024.

With The Rookie Season 9 currently in production, some fans may wonder whether Dewan’s DWTS casting will affect her role on the show.

ABC has not confirmed whether Dewan’s part on The Rookie will be impacted by her commitment to DWTS. Given that The Rookie returns during ABC’s midseason lineup in 2027, Dewan will possibly be able to film both shows at the same time. Recent seasons of DWTS have followed the same release schedule, with new episodes debuting in September and wrapping up in November/December.

Dewan appeared alongside her DWTS partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, and the rest of the Season 35 stars during the season’s official Good Morning America cast announcement on Wednesday, September 2. On the morning show, Dewan shared how her The Rookie co-stars reacted to her DWTS casting news.

“They’re all so amazing, and they’re all so excited for me ‘cause I just told them,” she gushed. “And Nathan’s like, ‘OK, what night are we coming?’ The girls wanna come, Melissa [O’Neil], Alyssa [Diaz]. Mekia [Cox] was also a dancer, so she’s really excited. And they’re just the most supportive, amazing [people].”

GMA‘s Ginger Zee went on to ask Dewan whether she will pay tribute to Step Up on DWTS. “Yes. We have to, right? We have to. For sure,” she teased. “I mean, this is such a crazy, huge moment just for me, to be dancing. I’m so grateful that Step Up; it’s the 20th anniversary of it. So, we’ve gotta throw it in.”

 

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Dewan followed up the DWTS cast announcement by sharing her excitement via Instagram. “Eeeee here we go @dancingwiththestars season 35!!!” she wrote alongside snaps of herself and Chmerkovskiy. “I truly do not have the words to express my excitement and gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…!! AND to be dancing with the absolutely incredible @valentin!! What is life!!!!!”

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35 Premiere, Tuesday, September 15, 8/7c, ABC

The Rookie, Season 9, 2027, ABC