'Nope!' - Nathan Fillion squashes delay rumors, confirms his return for The Rookie season 6

ABC's hit LAPD procedural drama, The Rookie, has been greenlit for a sixth season, and fans are chomping at the bit for details. Nathan Fillion continues his starring role as Officer John Nolan, an older-than-average rookie who has climbed the ranks over the previous seasons.

Reportedly, The Rookie's network boss confirmed that its 2023 fall schedule would exclude scripted content due to the ongoing writer and actor strikes. Instead, the network will air unscripted shows, saving scripted dramas such as The Rookie Season 6 for the mid-season. Filming has yet to kick off due to these strikes, throwing a wrench into the plans that were seemingly in place to start in late June.

Rumors swirled that Fillion's involvement in Superman: Legacy may further postpone Season 6. However, series creator Alexi Hawley swiftly dismissed the idea, responding to a speculative TV Line article with a definite "Nope!" Boldly reassuring fans, Nathan Fillion will return to the storyline for Season 6 as planned, without any delay.

The anxiously anticipated release of Season 6 will likely be held back until 2024. Based on the filming to premiere gap for Season 5, if the striking issues are settled within the upcoming months, The Rookie fans can hope for an early 2024 release.

Snapshots from Instagram confirm the return of beloved characters for Season 6. Melissa O’Neil, who portrays Lucy Chen, has expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming season, while Nathan Fillion, John Nolan's actor, joyously announced his return. The fate of Tru Valentino's character Aaron Thorsen, who faced grave injuries in Season 5, still hangs in suspense.

A menacing plotline awaits fans in Season 6 following the sinister setup during the Season 5 finale. A criminal mastermind pulling the strings of an intricate attack scheme on the squad seems to suggest a grittier direction for the season. An unexpected code blue call in the final moments of Season 5 raised concern for Officer Aaron Thorsen’s fate, further increasing anticipation as viewers await answers.

In a softer subplot, hints of a potential marriage between John Nolan and Bailey Nunes bring a romantic dimension to the otherwise tension-filled air.

As we're eagerly waiting for Season 6, The Rookie's spin-off, The Rookie: Feds, remains in the equation, despite an official confirmation for Season 2 still pending. ABC has a contractual hold on the series's primary cast, implying room for a new season.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)