Ahead of The Rookie season 8’s debut, showrunner Alexi Hawley has some exciting news for fans of Angela Lopez and Wesley Evers. When the 2025-2026 TV cycle resumes its broadcasting, ABC will finally be rolling out new episodes of its hit Los Angeles-set procedural. The Rookie has been a solid ratings winner for the network, and its success boils down to the loyal fanbase it has amassed over the years.
The Rookie season 8‘s delayed premiere is nothing new. ABC has saved its release during the midseason since season 6. While the extended wait can be frustrating for fans, especially if the previous year ended with a major cliffhanger, the set-up works well for the network, considering the show’s viewership. As The Rookie nears its return, new details about what to expect emerge.
In an interview with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender for The Rookie season 8, Hawley offers new information about what fans can expect for Lopez and Evers, collectively known as “Wopez.” He promises that those who root for the pair are looking at an exciting year, although, understandably, he doesn’t get into details. Their situation, however, will be motivated by Evers’ attempt to run for DA. Read his full quote below:
I love Wopez. It’s one of my favorite character relationships on the show. I think Shawn Ahsmore and Alyssa Diaz are brilliant and really sweet and special and sexy together – and in a very different way than Chenford.
I think Wopez fans will be very happy this season. We do a lot with them. Ultimately, we are going to have a storyline where Wesley looks at running for DA, but what might that do to their relationship and their family? All that kind of stuff. We do add a little bit of tension in the mix with that storyline, but at the same time, there’s some really fun stuff that we do with Wopez this year.
Admittedly, the romantic focus of The Rookie has been on Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford in the last couple of years. While there are other love pairings in the show, the more complicated situations between them have created some of the most intense plot lines in the series. Ahead of its return, there’s anticipation on seeing if Lucy and Tim will finally get back together after rebuilding their connection last cycle.
The Rookie season 8ABC (via MoviesStillsDb)
Because of this, it’s easy to sideline some of the more stable connections in the show. Thankfully, it seems like Hawley has found a way not to do that to Lopez and Evers in The Rookie season 8. In any case, the creator and showrunner of the procedural has made it clear that whatever the series is doing for one couple is different than the other, offering a variety of romances for fans of the ABC project.
Incorporating Evers’ professional arc in his romance with Lopez is an efficient way to develop both storytelling prongs of The Rookie. It’s difficult to imagine that she won’t be supportive of her partner’s endeavors, but it will also be interesting to see if things will continue to be smooth-sailing for the pair, or if this ambition will result in issues. Luckily, it isn’t long before The Rookie season 8’s history-making premiere.