ABC's hit procedural The Rookie is giving fans a rare treat while they wait for Season 9. The network announced an extended cut of Season 8, Episode 10, titled "His Name Was Martin," will drop on Hulu this July 20. This move is highly unusual for a show that typically sticks to broadcast run times, but creator Alexi Hawley wanted to reward the show's dedicated audience.
The episode originally aired on March 9 and featured an emotional arc for Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil). In it, the team responds to a hazardous chemical exposure at Westview that turns a cleaning crew into rabid, zombie-like attackers. When Lucy is cornered by one of them, she is forced to use deadly force, leaving her deeply shaken. The extended cut adds five and a half minutes of footage that Hawley had to trim for the network version. These scenes provide more context for Tim (Eric Winter) and Lucy's relationship later in the episode.
Hawley, who also wrote and directed the episode, explained that network constraints forced him to cut material that would have deepened the character moments. "Network run times are set in stone. But Hulu’s are not," he said. "So, I picked up the phone and pitched the idea of releasing an extended cut as a reward to our amazing fans, who are so invested in the show. Now they’ll be able to go deeper into the character journeys (especially for Tim and Lucy) and see the previously unaired scenes that enhance the episode in a unique way."
This isn't the first time The Rookie has gone above and beyond for its fanbase. The show, which launched in 2018 with Nathan Fillion as a midlife rookie joining the LAPD, has evolved into a high-octane procedural that consistently draws strong ratings. It's particularly popular among Gen-Z viewers, a rare feat for a network procedural. Season 8, which aired from January to May 2026, was packed with major moments, including a proposal and the death of a long-running villain. The season also experimented with settings outside Los Angeles and brought back polarizing characters.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until January 2027 for Season 9, as ABC holds the show for midseason. But this extended cut offers a welcome bridge. Viewers can find it in the Extras section of The Rookie's landing page on Hulu. All seasons of the show are available to stream on Hulu in the US.
For more on the show's future, check out our coverage of Peacemaker Season 3: Jennifer Holland Hints at Emilia Harcourt's Return and Guy Ritchie's 'The Gentlemen' Season 2 Sets 2026 Netflix Return Window. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates.
