If the creator of “The Rookie”, Alexi Hawley, has his way, audiences and ABC are set to enjoy many more seasons featuring Nathan Fillion as the oldest cop on the force.
Hawley expressed his ambition for ‘The Rookie’ to reach the longevity of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in an interview with TheWrap, stating, “I would love that show to keep going for the foreseeable future.” This sentiment underscores his belief that the series still has plenty of stories to tell.
As the executive producer, Hawley is confident that the series has enough narrative depth to sustain several more seasons. In a recent conversation with TheWrap regarding Season 2 of his Netflix drama “The Recruit,” he mentioned that production on “The Rookie” Season 7 had just wrapped, emphasizing the innovative storytelling they are pursuing. “We have done stuff this season that we’ve never done before, which, after 100 and something episodes, is great,” said Hawley. “I feel like that show will go for a long time. People seem to like it and show up.”
A show that successfully avoids feeling stale after more than three seasons is a remarkable achievement, and “The Rookie” has managed this consistently. Hawley attributes this reinvention to the show’s focus on the daily lives of patrol officers.
According to Hawley, “Any time they get out of their cars, anything can happen. I take that very much to heart.” The dynamic nature of the series allows for different scenarios by changing the pairings in a police car, creating a fresh episode with every new partner.
Moreover, Hawley does not feel restricted by any particular tone for his ABC drama. Each episode can oscillate between humor and horror, providing a broad creative canvas. “It gives us a lot of leeway,” he noted, as part of his strategy to keep the audience engaged and a bit “nervous.”
Hawley believes that modern audiences are incredibly sophisticated, often anticipating plot developments. “We’re trying to lean into what can we do that constantly keeps the audience leaning forward?” This approach might involve experimenting with distinctive visual styles or ensuring a quiet scene is punctuated by a loud one. In a fast-paced, witty environment, he emphasizes the importance of stakes over easy humor. “Stakes always trump comedy,” he asserts. “The second the audience feels like there’s no stakes, they’re not invested in the same way.” Serious moments, including the traumatic deaths of regular characters, add depth and richness to the narrative. “Having those stakes makes it richer. If you’re worried, if you know that there are consequences, having fun becomes a tension relief rather than just light fare.”
New episodes of “The Rookie” Season 7 premiere on ABC Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The post ‘The Rookie’ Creator Is Ready for His Show to Be the Next ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ appeared first on TheWrap.
