What Time Does The Rookie Season 8 Episode 3 Come Out?
The new episode of The Rookie, Season 8 Episode 3, titled “The Red Place,” will air on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central) on ABC in the US. @therookie shared on X that a new episode of The Rookie airs tonight at 10/9c on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu.
It sits in that classic late-evening crime‑drama slot, right when most people are finally off the clock, dinner is done, and there is just enough energy left to watch Nolan chase suspects through Los Angeles.
If timing patterns from this season hold, West Coast viewers get it in the usual 10 p.m. local slot, which keeps the “live‑tweet while it airs” vibe intact without making anyone stay up obscenely late on a weeknight.
How to Watch The Rookie on ABC?
The Rookie Season 8 Episode 3 can be watched live on ABC at 10/9c, either via cable/satellite or any live TV streaming service that carries ABC in your region.
That includes platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, and similar services, where the episode appears in the regular ABC linear schedule just like any other primetime show. @therookie shared on X that Season 8 of The Rookie premieres on January 6 on ABC and will stream on Hulu.
For those who cannot catch the broadcast, the episode is set to stream on Hulu the next day, January 21, giving a bit of breathing room for anyone stuck working late or juggling family bedtime routines.
Many fans end up in that middle ground: watch the cold open live, miss the middle because of a phone call, and then finish it on Hulu with a snack the next evening.
When Will The Rookie Next Episode Air in Season 8?
The next episode of The Rookie, Season 8, Episode 4, is scheduled to air on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET as the show shifts to its new weekly slot.
ABC is moving The Rookie from Tuesdays to Mondays,s starting with Episode 4, to make room for the new series RJ Decker on the Tuesday lineup, so fans will want to mentally reset their “Rookie night.”
From that point, new episodes are planned to run Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET with next‑day streaming on Hulu, keeping a steady weekly rhythm through winter and into spring.
It is the sort of schedule change that can throw people off for a week or two, and then suddenly Monday nights just feel strangely empty without sirens and squad cars on screen.
How Many Episodes Are in The Rookie Season 8?
The Rookie Season 8 has an 18‑episode order. That means the season is expected to run through late spring or early summer 2026, assuming there are no big breaks or unexpected pre‑emptions in the ABC schedule.
For viewers, 18 episodes is a sweet spot: long enough for a couple of big multi‑episode arcs, but short enough that the story rarely feels like it’s just marking time.
The published schedule shows Episode 3 on January 20, followed by weekly airings into April and a finale window in May, lining up with ABC’s broader season calendar.
The Rookie Season 8 Cast
The main cast for The Rookie Season 8 includes Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, and Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune.
Rounding out the core ensemble are Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez, and Deric Augustine as Miles Penn, who continues to get more involved in the story this season.
It is the kind of cast where even secondary characters have fanbases and ship names, which is a big part of why a procedural like this manages to feel a bit more personal than just “case of the week.”
Season 8 leans into that mix of fresh faces and familiar dynamics, especially in “The Red Place,” where multiple team‑ups run in parallel during the hour.
About The Rookie
The Rookie is an ABC police procedural that follows John Nolan, once the oldest rookie in the LAPD, as he navigates high‑stakes cases, mentorship roles, and the realities of aging in a young officer’s world.
Over eight seasons, the series has evolved from a simple “late‑career change” hook into a more ensemble‑driven drama, balancing action, character growth, and the occasional surprisingly tender moment between chaotic calls.
Season 8 picks up with the team returning from overseas action and sliding back into the rhythms of Los Angeles patrol work, with Episode 3, “The Red Place,” focusing on a quiet arrest that spirals, a tense kidnapping case, and some unsettling blasts from the past for certain characters.
For long‑time viewers, it feels less like a reinvention and more like the show knowing exactly what it is now and leaning into that comfort in the best way.
Disclaimer
Episode timings, platforms and schedules are based on recent network listings and entertainment news updates and may change without prior notice. Viewers should always confirm local airtimes and streaming availability on ABC, Hulu or their TV provider’s official guide before planning to watch The Rookie Season 8 Episode 3.
