The Rookie makes big announcement about upcoming episode - and fans aren't happy

Nathan Fillion stars in the police procedural series

TV and film writer

April 20, 2023Apr 20, 2023, 12:29 PM GMT+1

ABC's popular police drama, The Rookie, has revealed that the upcoming episode will be a crossover, which will see the LAPD team unite with its FBI colleagues from the spin-off series, The Rookie: Feds.

While fans are usually excited at the prospect of two shows in one of their favorite TV franchises team up for a special event, many were left unimpressed.

The show's official Twitter account shared the announcement on Wednesday in a post that read: "This time, it's a race to rescue one of their own. #TheRookie and #TheRookieFeds unite, Tuesday starting at 8/7c on ABC and Stream on Hulu."

WATCH: The Rookie shares teaser for crossover episode

Fans were quick to take to the comments section, with many expressing their disappointment over previous crossover episodes, which usually involve actor Nathan Fillion, who plays John Nolan in the original series, making a cameo in an episode of the spin-off series.

One person wrote: "Nathan appearing on Feds alone as Nolan is not a crossover. It's a cameo/guest star. Please take cues from NCIS crossovers, FBI crossovers, One Chicago etc. Now THOSE are crossovers," while another added: "Y'all ain't tricking us lol this isn't a crossover it's Nolan on the Feds episode and that's it."

Posting photos from previous One Chicago crossover episodes, one fan wrote: "Nathan guest staring doesn't make it a crossover. Study these tapes, THIS is a crossover."

The crossover announcement comes just days after it was revealed that ABC has renewed The Rookie for a sixth season.

MORE: The Rookie star Eric Winter's famous wife revealed – did you spot her on the show?

A post from the show's Twitter account read: "It's official: #TheRookie will return for Season 6!!!"

Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash at Comic Con 2022 — Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash will unite in the upcoming crossover

While fans were clearly relieved, others called for the broadcaster to renew its spin-off series, The Rookie: Feds, for a second season.

"Ayyy this is Great News! Now we need Rookie Feds to return for season two," wrote one fan on Twitter.

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