One of The Rookie‘s standout villains gets an intriguing return update from creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley. The Rookie season 8 will make network television history when it debuts in January. The procedural is going to Europe, as the premiere episode partially takes place in Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital city, with filming happening on location over the summer.
The big milestone is connected to a recurring villain. John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) will be attempting to get the better of Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) after the antagonist blatantly flaunted her apparent immunity in The Rookie‘s season 7 finale. But there’s another baddie that viewers would like to see more of, as well.
In an interview with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender for The Rookie season 8, which premieres January 6, 2026, on ABC at 10 PM ET, Hawley is asked whether Elijah Stone, a recurring character played by Brandon Jay McLaren, could return, given that his recurring presence is still often cited by the audience.
Hawley responds that, although he hasn’t spoken to McLaren directly, the answer is yes, and the writers are working on a way to bring Elijah back. Hawley explains that the main issue is finding a way to organically involve Elijah in the story since he’s behind bars. The creator and showrunner likewise acknowledges that Elijah was a significant part of the hit ABC drama. Read Hawley’s response below:
I haven’t spoken to him directly, but I will say the answer is yes. Brandon was a big part of our show for several seasons.
The trick always is, when you actually put somebody behind bars on the show, how do you organically interact with them? In a way that doesn’t involve a prison break for every baddie, which we can’t do. But we love Elijah on the show and definitely are gunning to figure out how to bring him back in a powerful way.
Elijah was introduced in a pivotal episode of The Rookie during season 4’s “Life and Death.” He’s a crime boss, notorious for his rough history with Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore). Although the cartel leader had altercations with several main characters, including an attempt to murder Evers, he was a standout because of McLaren’s performance.
He fits in a long line of villains from The Rookie that fit in well because of what the actors bring to the role. But on another front, the writers have been consistent in knowing when to lean into and lean away from familiar faces. On the whole, between seasons 4 and 5, Elijah makes 11 appearances.
Monica was Elijah’s lawyer at one point, so there could be the beginnings of a cameo idea there. But, in any case, season 8 will be plenty busy for the confirmed returning cast members of The Rookie, including Fillion, Dewan, Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez, Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, and Deric Augustine.
The Rookie season 8 premieres Tuesday, January 6, 2026, on ABC at 10 PM ET.
- Release Date
-
October 16, 2018
- Showrunner
-
Alexi Hawley
