The Rookie Season 8 Episode 5 Release Date
The Rookie season 8 episode 5, titled “The Network,” is scheduled to air on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00 PM on ABC in the United States.
This episode continues the season 8 storyline, with Lieutenant Grey and an FBI task force digging into a wider criminal network while Nolan, Miles, Lucy, and Celina respond to a complicated officer‑involved shooting case.
Episode 5 also keeps the new Monday night pattern that some long‑time viewers are still getting used to after years of Tuesday airings, so setting a reminder is genuinely helpful.
When and Where to Watch The Rookie Season 8 Episode 5
The Rookie season 8 episode 5 will premiere on ABC on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00 PM (ET/PT), with next‑day streaming on Hulu from around 5:00 AM.
Viewers who like the classic “watch it live with ads and social media reactions” experience can stick with ABC, while those who prefer flexible viewing can simply catch the episode on Hulu the following morning.
Many fans now mix both: live for big moments, then a quieter rewatch on streaming to pick up all the smaller character beats.
Cast of The Rookie Season 8
The core cast for The Rookie season 8 features familiar faces that longtime viewers recognize quickly on screen. Key names include:
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Nathan Fillion – John Nolan
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Melissa O’Neil – Lucy Chen
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Eric Winter – Tim Bradford
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Alyssa Diaz – Angela Lopez
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Richard T. Jones – Wade Grey
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Mekia Cox – Nyla Harper
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Tru Valentino – Aaron Thorsen
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Lisseth Chavez – Celina Juarez
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Newer addition Miles Penn appears as Nolan’s rookie in season 8.
This mix of veterans and newer characters keeps the Mid‑Wilshire world feeling active rather than stuck in early‑season nostalgia.
Episode Schedule of The Rookie Season 8
The Rookie season 8 airs new episodes on Monday nights at 10:00 PM on ABC, with season 8 rolling out weekly through early 2026.
After premiering its first episodes on Tuesday, ABC shifted the season to Mondays, where it now follows American Idol in the current lineup, giving the show a steady, predictable slot.
New episodes are then available on Hulu the next morning, which helps anyone in busy time zones or juggling work shifts keep up without feeling left behind.
About The Rookie Season 8
The Rookie season 8 focuses on John Nolan continuing his later‑in‑life policing career while mentoring Miles Penn, a former Texas officer adjusting to Los Angeles, and balancing evolving relationships across the squad.
The season brings back recurring figures like Oscar Hutchinson and threads in elements from The Rookie: Feds, with Grey and federal task forces expanding the show’s world beyond single‑case episodes.
Alongside the procedural cases, season 8 leans into personal arcs romantic shifts like Chenford’s renewed relationship, career moves, and questions about how long a demanding job can stay sustainable which is often what keeps viewers emotionally invested week after week.
Disclaimer: All information about The Rookie season 8 episode 5 is based on currently available public updates and may change if the network adjusts its schedule. Viewers are advised to check official ABC or Hulu listings closer to airtime for the most accurate and updated details.
