Jay Ellis of The Rookie Hints at Major Differences in North Spinoff
Jay Ellis recently shared insights on what fans of The Rookie can anticipate from the The Rookie: North spinoff, highlighting the most significant differences between the two shows.
“We’re taking a different approach. I believe we are paying tribute to the foundation that The Rookie and its talented cast have built, which is truly exceptional,” Ellis, 44, told Us exclusively while promoting his new collaboration with Citibank and American Airlines. “The show is entering its ninth season, which speaks volumes — we are very much respecting that.”
Ellis emphasized that The Rookie: North is carving out its “own identity,” stating, “We have an entirely new cast with unique characters. We’re set in the picturesque Pacific Northwest, so we are indeed bringing our own flavor to the narrative.”
Since its premiere in 2018, The Rookie has followed police officers from a precinct in Los Angeles and features stars such as Nathan Fillion, Eric Winter, Melissa O’Neill, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Mekia Cox, Shawn Ashmore, and Jenna Dewan.
ABC previously grew the franchise with The Rookie: Feds, which aired from 2022 to 2023. The Rookie: North introduces viewers to Ellis’ character, Alex, the oldest rookie in the Pierce County Police Department in Washington State following a violent home invasion.
“The exciting aspect of this show is the quick transition from urban to rural settings within just a few miles. In a smaller department, especially, this often means fewer resources compared to a department like L.A.,” Ellis suggested. “This implies that sometimes you’re out there solo or just with your partner, and you have to manage because the backup could be 20 minutes away.”
Ellis expressed his excitement about the potential for heightened stakes in the narrative.
“A cast member recently asked me, ‘How does someone survive Season 1 without getting killed?’ I replied, ‘Don’t worry, just enjoy yourselves. We’re going to create a fantastic show,’” he commented.
Alongside Ellis, The Rookie: North also stars Chris Sullivan, Janet Montgomery, Froy Gutierrez, Karen Fukuhara, Mya Lowe, Malik Watson, and Curtis Lum.
“The pressure dissipates when you recognize we aren’t here to compete. What excites us is the thought of being able to send characters from L.A. to our area in Tacoma and vice versa. We’re creating a big universe that may expand further in the future, and that’s very exciting,” Ellis remarked.
He added, “It’s a dream to engage in something like this in our industry. Producing a TV show is incredibly challenging, and getting one on air is more difficult than ever. We consider ourselves very fortunate.”
When discussing possible crossovers, Ellis kept the door open for various ideas.
“Grey’s Anatomy would be a natural crossover since it’s set in Seattle. I wonder if anyone at ABC has considered that. I bet they have,” he joked before adding, “I’d love to make an appearance on Abbott Elementary.”
Ellis also expressed interest in participating in a future season of Dancing With the Stars, proclaiming, “I’d love to do a little cha-cha or salsa. That could be fun.”
The busy actor is juggling The Rookie: North alongside his role in Running Point. Thankfully, his partnership with Citi and American Airlines has made travel easier with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard.
“I come from a family deeply connected to aviation. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents served in the Air Force. My father also joined the Air Force and went on to work for American Airlines, where he has been for 30 years. Additionally, my uncle worked for American Airlines for over 30 years,” Ellis shared. “Traveling has been a long-standing tradition in my family, with all of us possessing a wanderlust and a desire to explore new places.”
Ellis described the collaboration as “a dream,” stating, “We get to merge our passions — or at least mine — involving experiences, cultures, food, and stunning landscapes, all while traveling comfortably, which is really wonderful.”
He added, “The Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard enhances my travel experience, allowing me to journey comfortably, which brings me great joy. With numerous perks and miles, I couldn’t be happier.”
