Officer Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion, moves in tactical gear with gun drawn in a tense scene from The Rookie.

The Rookie: Plot, Cast & Where to Watch in New Zealand

12 August 2026

With Season 7 now streaming on Disney+, there’s no better time to catch up with John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion

Starting over isn’t easy, especially for a small-town guy like John Nolan. Since premiering in 2018, the series has followed his journey from contractor to LAPD cop, navigating rookie mistakes and life-or-death calls in equal measure. Whether you’re into police procedurals or looking for a show with humour and heart, the Mid-Wilshire squad has you covered. Meet the team, revisit each season, find out where to stream every episode.

Stream The Rookie on Disney+ now

What is The Rookie about?

After a life-changing event inspires him to chase his dream, John Nolan leaves behind a comfortable life to become a Los Angeles police officer. At 40, he enters the LAPD as its oldest rookie, facing doubt from those who believe he’s too old to handle the demands and pressures of the job.

While younger officers skew towards speed and instinct, Nolan is backed by years of life experience and a unique ability to connect with people. Earning respect isn’t easy, but Nolan takes on every challenge in his stride to prove he belongs.

Who is in the cast of The Rookie?

The cast stand beside a patrol car in a scene from The Rookie. — The Rookie, Disney+

Led by Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, The Rookie features an ensemble cast of officers, detectives, and mentors who make up the Mid-Wilshire division.

The series also stars Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune and Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez. Across its seasons, the show has continued to introduce new faces while exploring the personal and professional lives of the officers.

Where to watch The Rookie?

You can stream The Rookie on Disney+ in New Zealand.

Stream The Rookie on Disney+ now

How many seasons of The Rookie are there on Disney+?

There are currently seven seasons of The Rookie available to stream on Disney+ in New Zealand.

Season 1

Officers Nolan, Chen, and West stand at attention behind a podium as their sergeant addresses them in a scene from The Rookie. — The Rookie, Disney+

Fresh out of the police academy, John Nolan starts his first days at the Mid-Wilshire division alongside two fellow rookies. But between rocky patrols and doubtful colleagues, Nolan must prove he has what it takes… all while getting used to a job that is nothing like his old life.

Season 2

The second half of rookie year brings a whole new set of tests. Between complicated romances, dangerous criminals, and mounting pressure, Nolan needs to decide what kind of cop he ultimately wants to be.

Season 3

Officer Nolan and Sergeant Grey share a conversation in a scene from The Rookie. — The Rookie, Disney+

With his rookie year winding down, Nolan turns his attention to what’s next: A college degree that could fast-track his career. The decision lands him back in unfamiliar territory as a student under Criminal Law professor Fiona Ryan.

Season 4

Now a full patrol officer, Nolan takes on bigger responsibilities and thornier cases. His world gets a shake-up when Mid-Wilshire brings on a new rookie, and the team has to adjust all over again.

Season 5

Nolan steps into the next stage of his career with more experience under his belt and new opportunities. As the team dives into a dangerous investigation, personal relationships and career ambitions start to collide in ways nobody saw coming.

Season 6

He’s not a rookie anymore. Nolan juggles career demands, personal relationships, and the daily grind of life on the force. When an unexpected crisis hits the team, everyone has to lean on each other more than usual.

Season 7 - Now Streaming

Sergeant Bradford and Officer Chen sit with arms crossed, listening intently in a scene from The Rookie. — The Rookie, Disney+

Two new rookies join the division just as the hunt for a group of escaped prisoners heats up. Nolan, still recovering from a serious injury, has to navigate his career alongside a team facing yet another turning point.

Stream The Rookie on Disney+ now

What is The Rookie: Feds?

Simone Clark and Officer Nolan stand together at a nighttime crime scene — The Rookie: Feds, Disney+

The Rookie: Feds is a spin-off starring Niecy Nash-Betts as Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy.

The series was introduced during Season 4 of The Rookie through a two-part crossover event, where Nolan and the LAPD team work alongside Simone when one of her former students becomes linked to a terror investigation. It expands The Rookie cinematic universe by moving from the LAPD to the FBI with the same level of action and humour that crime-fighting fans know and love.

Stream The Rookie: Feds on Disney+ now

Stream The Rookie on Disney+ in New Zealand

Whether you're catching up from Season 1 or diving straight into Season 7, The Rookie makes the case that found family and second chances make for must-watch TV.

Stream The Rookie on Disney+ now