ABC has cast Top Gun: Maverick star Jay Ellis as the lead in its upcoming spinoff The Rookie: North, marking a major step in expanding the Rookie franchise. Creator Alexi Hawley introduces a fresh take on the original premise, placing a new character and setting at the center of the series.

Jay Ellis to headline The Rookie spin-off

Jay Ellis is set to star in The Rookie: North, a new ABC pilot from Alexi Hawley, the creator of The Rookie (via Deadline). ABC officially ordered the pilot following Ellis’ casting. Hawley will write and direct the pilot and executive produce alongside Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Chapman. Jay Ellis is also attached as a producer.

Ellis will play Alex Holland, a man who joins the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie following a violent home invasion. The spinoff shifts the premise of The Rookie to a rural Washington state setting, contrasting the original Los Angeles backdrop. Holland’s name parallels creator Alexi Hawley’s, and his journey mirrors that of John Nolan, the protagonist of the original series.

Hawley described the project’s progress in May, stating, “There’s a script, I’ve been doing some drafts and getting some notes” (via Deadline). By July, ABC was seriously considering the pilot as part of its second-cycle strategy. A pilot order was contingent on finding a lead. ABC sought talent of Scott Speedman’s caliber and selected Ellis.

In early September, Hawley confirmed plans to shoot the pilot in the spring or late winter: “I think we are looking at shooting a pilot in the spring or late winter, so we are gearing up for that.” Deadline first reported ABC’s development of the spinoff in December.

Ellis currently appears on Hulu’s Not Suitable For Work and recurs on Netflix’s Running Point. He is also part of Peacock’s limited series All Her Fault. Ellis previously starred in Insecure, Top Gun: Maverick, and Freaky Tales.

Hawley previously co-created The Rookie: Feds and served as showrunner on The Recruit. His company, Perfectman Pictures, has an overall deal with Lionsgate Television.