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The Rookie fans have reason to cheer. ABC has renewed the popular Nathan Fillion cop drama for season 9. 

The show’s official Instagram account shared the news in an April 13 post. 

“You’re going to want to buckle up for this one,” it read. “#TheRookie will return for a new season!”

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Reaction to the renewal announcement was swift and positive. 

“What a great start to this week!! Can’t wait for season 9!!!” one person wrote. 

“THANK GOODNESS we finally got an announcement!!” another fan commented. 

“Wonderful news!!! Never a doubt in my mind though!” someone else chimed in. 

As supporters pointed out, The Rookie’s Season 9 renewal didn’t come as a huge surprise. While network TV in general has experienced declining numbers of live viewers in recent years, The Rookie performs very well in streaming. More than 60% of its total viewers watch new episodes on Hulu in the week after they first air on ABC – a greater share than any other show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It’s behind only Tracker, High Potential, Matlock, and Will Trent in total viewers after seven days. The show is also popular with teens, noted Deadline.

“I feel that our popularity has never been higher, which is great … I’ve been feeling like we’ve been putting out really strong episodes all season, and people have been showing up,” creator Alexi Hawley said. 

“I do think that ultimately the success of the show is partly because from week to week, the audience really doesn’t know what version of The Rookie they’re going to get,” he added. “Is it going to be a big fun event in the episode? Is it going to be more comedic or romantic or scary? I like switching things up, I like that sort of energy of it.”

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