‘The Rookie’ Cast Teases ‘Hell’ for Kidnapped Chenford When Season 9 Begins

Uh-oh, we should be worried. The Rookie Season 8 finale ended with joy (Chenford’s engaged!) then terror (and kidnapped!). And based on the scoop TV Insider got when the cast — namely, Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil, Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Shawn Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez, Deric Augustine — and showrunner Alexi Hawley, as well as The Rookie: North‘s Jay Ellis, stopped by our New York Comic Con studio, Lucy (O’Neil) and Tim (Eric Winter) are going to be going through it when Season 9 premieres on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, at 9/8c on ABC.
So, what can anyone say about what they’ll be going through? “Uh, hell?” Hawley says immediately in our video below. “I think it’s safe to say. It’s a two-part premiere that is certainly pretty intense.”

O’Neil, while hesitant to say too much about what’s coming up, agrees, “’Intense’ and ‘hell’ are two pretty good descriptors for what we went through.”

 

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Then Fillion chimes in with his own question: “Will anyone’s face be dirty? Will clothes be ripped?” Will there be any blood effects?” Watch the video above for the answers — and for Cox bringing up what it was like filming it for the actors.

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The kidnapping came after the LAPD had been dealing with international crime boss Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise) all episode; he escaped but was back in their custody by finale’s end. Just after a sweet proposal (and a yes) for Chenford, a man and a woman congratulated them … then injected both with something. “Heath Everett says payback is a bitch,” the woman said as they lost consciousness, holding hands, and bags were put over their heads.

Watch the video above for more and stay tuned for much more Rookie scoop from New York Comic Con. Plus, check out some teases about what’s to come romance-wise for Tim and Lucy as well as Nolan and Bailey (Jenna Dewan) here.

The Rookie, Season 9 Premiere, Wednesday, January 6, 2027, 9/8c, ABC