Jenna Dewan is looking forward to an exciting new chapter for Bailey Nune when The Rookie returns for its ninth season, hinting that an unexpected character addition and one particularly thrilling scene are on the way.

The 45-year-old actress has portrayed firefighter Bailey Nune in the ABC procedural for six years. In Season 8, Bailey temporarily relocated to Washington, D.C., for a new job, leaving her in a long-distance marriage with John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion. She eventually returned to Los Angeles and resumed her work with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Friday, November 6, Dewan offered a glimpse of what viewers can expect from Bailey’s next storyline.

“There’s a new character, an addition to my storyline that is very interesting,” she revealed. “I didn’t see it coming. It’s very fun.”

Dewan also teased that the upcoming season will feature one of the most exciting sequences she has filmed for the series so far. “And I do one of my most thrilling scenes so far during the season, which I’m really excited to show,” she added.

Although she did not reveal details about the new character or the scene, her comments suggest that Bailey will have some unexpected developments ahead in Season 9.

The Rookie Season 9 Welcomes Familiar Faces and New Cast Members

Dewan is set to return alongside Fillion and several other familiar cast members, including Alyssa Diaz, Mekia Cox, Shawn Ashmore, Richard T. Jones, Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil.

The upcoming season will also introduce new additions to the cast, with Troian Bellisario and Dulé Hill joining the series.

Scheduled to premiere in January 2027, Season 9 will make The Rookie the third-longest-running drama in ABC history, behind Grey’s Anatomy and NYPD Blue, according to Deadline.

Beyond the upcoming storyline, Dewan spoke warmly about her experience working on the show and the close relationships she has developed with her colleagues.

“I have to say, the Rookie job is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. “The cast are the nicest, most supportive people. We genuinely love each other, and I think that is a lot of what makes the show work so well.”

She believes that genuine connection translates to the screen, adding that viewers can feel the chemistry and friendship among the cast. Dewan emphasized that the group shares a strong sense of affection and respect for one another.

How Dewan Balances The Rookie and Dancing with the Stars

The actress also credited the show’s flexible working environment with helping her manage her professional commitments and family life.

Dewan is a mother of three: 12-year-old Everly, whom she shares with ex-husband Channing Tatum; six-year-old Callum; and two-year-old Rhiannon, whom she shares with fiancé Steve Kazee.

She described the atmosphere on set as supportive and enjoyable, explaining that the cast work hard, share plenty of laughs and then return home to their families.

That flexibility also made it possible for Dewan to film The Rookie while competing on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy.

Dewan said the efficiency of the production team gave her confidence that she could handle both shows. She considers The Rookie her dream job and appreciates that the cast and crew can finish their work on schedule, allowing everyone to maintain a life outside the production.

Her partnership with Chmerkovskiy has also produced some memorable moments on the dance floor. During the November 3 episode, their Beauty and the Beast-themed quickstep earned the pair their first perfect score of the season.

With Season 9 approaching, Dewan’s comments have given fans another reason to look forward to Bailey’s return, particularly as the actress promises a storyline featuring an unexpected new face and a scene she is especially eager for audiences to see.

Season 9 of The Rookie premieres January 6, 2027, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Source: Compiled from various sources