Nathan Fillion Teases Action, Romance as The Rookie Heads Overseas for Season 8

The Rookie is raising the stakes in its upcoming eighth season — and for the first time, the ABC police drama is taking its story beyond the United States.

The season 8 premiere will open in Prague, marking the show’s first-ever overseas storyline. Star Nathan Fillion, 54, and his on-screen wife Jenna Dewan, 45, recently spoke about the experience and what fans can expect when John Nolan and Bailey Nune head abroad.

Dewan described filming in Prague as a completely different and special experience. She said the city made the show feel more like an action movie than a television series, adding that the historic setting gave everything a cinematic quality.

Fillion agreed, comparing the experience to a James Bond film. He joked that trading his police uniform for a suit made him feel “very fancy,” especially while filming in Prague’s grand squares and along its rivers.

Dewan added that she felt especially confident and empowered during the shoot, calling the experience “very badass.”

The Prague trip also serves as a kind of second honeymoon for Nolan and Bailey after their first one didn’t go as planned. Dewan joked that the previous trip involved “a lot of murder,” so this time the characters try to lean into romance — even though things don’t stay peaceful for long.

While the couple hopes for a quiet getaway, Dewan teased that the trip quickly turns into something much more intense, filled with danger and adrenaline. Fillion added that despite the chaos, the characters remain grateful and clearly enjoy being together.

According to Dewan, one of the show’s biggest strengths continues to be its balance of tones. Season 8 will mix strong action, suspense, comedy, banter, and romance. When asked to sum up the new season in just three words, Fillion and Dewan chose: teamwork, friction, and opportunity.

Off camera, the European location also gave the cast a chance to explore. Fillion extended his stay, while Dewan traveled solo during her downtime. She said she embraced sightseeing, tours, and learning about history, especially Prague’s castles.

The Rookie season 8 premieres Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Hulu the following day.