Actress and comedian Niecy Nash (“Reno 9-1-1,” “Claws”) is set to guest star in two embedded pilot episodes of “The Rookie” later this season. She will play Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy, similar to series star Nathan Fillion (“One Life to Live”) whose Officer John Nolan joined the LAPD later in life. Clark is described as a force of nature, the living embodiment of a dream deferred.
With Nash’s casting, should the potential untitled spinoff get picked up to series by the network for next season, it’ll allow the franchise to expand beyond the Los Angeles Police Department and exist in the same universe, further allowing characters to move back and forth. This almost guarantees “The Rookie” will be back for a fifth season.
The first episode involving Nash’s character finds Officer John Nolan and the LA division of the FBI enlisting the help of FBI trainee Simone Clark when one of her former students is suspected of terrorism following an explosion at a local power station.
“I’m so excited to guest star on ‘The Rookie’ and bring Simone Clark to life! She is a spirited and spicy fish out of water,” said Nash in a statement. “The cast is amazing and I can’t wait to play!”
Currently in its fourth season, “The Rookie” ranks as ABC’s fourth most-watched drama series behind “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Station 19” and “The Good Doctor” in Total Viewers. The series is averaging 9.3 million viewers after 35 days of viewing across all linear and digital platforms, lifting up +236% over its initial Live+Same Day average. In Adults 18-49, the show grows six times greater over its initial Live+Same Day rating with a life of +519% after 35 days of multiplatform viewing. [MP+35, 9/20-12/26/21].