At San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026, Alyssa Diaz and Shawn Ashmore offered fans an exclusive look at the upcoming ninth season of The Rookie.
The procedural drama, which premiered in October 2018, has been officially renewed for a ninth season and is currently in production.
All previous eight seasons remain available for streaming on Hulu.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Reflecting on their eight-year professional relationship, Diaz recalled a Season 5 scene where their characters, Angela Lopez and Wesley Evers, solved a riddle during labor.
The scene required a hand double due to Ashmore's handwriting.
"Shawn did give us a warning because he had to write the riddle on a whiteboard," said Alyssa Diaz.
Diaz noted that her nearsightedness made it impossible to read his writing on set.
"I looked at it and said, 'Oh my God, your writing is horrible. It's hieroglyphics,'" said Diaz.
Ashmore acknowledged his physical limitation regarding penmanship during the interview.
"I have a lot of talents, but handwriting is not one of them," said Shawn Ashmore.
The production team implemented a practical solution during filming to ensure legibility on screen.
"We had to get a double to do the writing," said Ashmore.
He further detailed how the final cut transitioned between his actual handwriting and the double's work.
"If you watch the episode, the first line is actually me writing. Then it cuts away.
When it comes back, everything is written—and it's someone else's handwriting," said Ashmore.
Diaz emphasized the seamless nature of television post-production.
"Again, the magic of editing," said Diaz.
On-Screen and Off-Screen Parallels
The actors also addressed how their long-term working partnership mirrors their personal milestones, including marriage and expanding their families.
"It's really lovely just having the time to develop," said Diaz.
She highlighted the rare longevity of their working dynamic on television.
"To have almost nine years is such a gift. It's like a real relationship.
When he comes in, I'm like, 'Hello, TV husband,'" said Diaz.
Diaz noted that shared real-life experiences enhanced their performances during major character arcs.
"We know each other. We work well together," said Diaz.
She expanded on the parallel challenges faced both on and off screen over the years.
"But also — the proposal, the marriage, the kids, the kidnappings. We've both gone through that in our real lives.
Having families, going through the ups and downs of a relationship — all the stuff you go through — we're dealing with on screen as well," said Diaz.
Ashmore discussed how their characters maintain stability amidst the dramatic storylines of the show.
"When there's crazy stuff happening on the show, some of my favorite scenes are the quiet moments where Wesley and Angela debrief after a case or have a family moment.
They're relaxing, fun scenes to shoot," said Shawn Ashmore.
He noted that these subtle beats form the core of the couple's appeal to viewers.
"I think that's consistently what has made their relationship work for audiences. And as actors, it's always nice to come back to," said Ashmore.
What's Next in Season 9
Looking ahead to Season 9, which returns in 2027, the narrative will explore Wesley's return to defense law at the firm Evers and Del Monte, alongside guest star Michael Trucco.
"In the first couple episodes, we do get kind of a glimpse at what's happening with the law firm of Evers and Del Monte," said Ashmore.
Diaz expressed lighthearted relief regarding her character's domestic setup.
"He's out of the house, which is nice," said Diaz.
Ashmore agreed with her assessment regarding their characters' living situation.
"That is very important. Very important for Angela [for him] to be out of the house," said Ashmore.
The career shift introduces dynamic legal friction back into the couple's marriage.
"What I do know and what I love about what Alexi [Hawley, showrunner] and our writers do is that they have a nice push and pull with Wesley and Angela.
And I'm excited now that Wesley's back on as a defense attorney, some of that sort of chippiness and the sparring that happened between them, now we're on opposite sides again of the law that hopefully we'll get to incorporate a little bit of that into the relationship, into the marriage because it's always fun knowing that they always come back to center and find a way through their arguments," said Ashmore.
Diaz confirmed upcoming storylines involving their children and guest appearances alongside Mekia Cox, who plays Nyla Harper.
"I know the fans really appreciate it," said Diaz.
She expressed enthusiasm for filming upcoming ensemble scenes.
"Harpez is back," said Diaz.
She added further details about her recurring scene partner.
"It's always fun working with Mekia," said Diaz.
Ashmore also hinted at potential resolution following character conflicts involving Tim Bradford, played by Eric Winter, and Lucy Chen, played by Melissa O'Neil.
"I think there's maybe a moment of repair between Bradford and Wesley after their last interaction. I'm interested to see where that goes.
I think that's a nice moment," said Ashmore.
Diaz reassured him about the resolution between the characters.
"He's going to forgive you," said Diaz.
She paused mid-sentence before Ashmore completed the thought.
"Because I..." said Diaz.
Ashmore finished the line by referencing a running joke among the series' fanbase.
"Because he's afraid of you," said Ashmore.
He concluded with the familiar character phrase.
"The classic line of, 'We accept Wesley because we fear Lopez,'" said Ashmore.
Cast member Melissa McNeil, who portrays Lucy Chen, also expressed appreciation for the series' audience support.
"We're so grateful for the fans of the show," said Melissa McNeil.
She credited viewer loyalty for the show's continued renewal.
"They've helped get us to where we are," said McNeil.
She pointed to ongoing audience engagement as the primary driver of production longevity.
"The reason they keep watching—and new people keep joining all the time—is why we've made it to season 9," said McNeil.
McNeil concluded by emphasizing the team's ongoing commitment to the franchise.
"Hopefully, we'll get to tell the story for even longer," said McNeil.
She reaffirmed the cast's sentiment toward their global viewership.
"We have a lot of love for the fans, and we're so grateful for their enthusiasm," said McNeil.
