Why Isn’t ‘The Rookie’ On Tonight? Season 2, Episode 9 Air Date Info

Sorry, “The Rookie” fans, but a new episode of the ABC series won’t be airing tonight due to the Ciara-hosted 2019 American Music Awards broadcasting live from 8 to 11:35 p.m. EST on the network instead.

Luckily, the cop drama returns in just one week with Season 2, episode 9 — titled “Breaking Point” — on Dec. 1. When it comes back, there’s going to be a new actor joining the cast for a little bit. While he’s new to the show, viewers might recognize him from some of his previous onscreen roles.

Daniel Lissing, who starred on Hallmark Channel’s popular period drama, “When Calls the Heart,” as Mountie Jack Thornton from 2014 to 2018, is set to play Sterling Freeman, “a handsome, 20-something TV actor, who stars on a hit cop show,” according to the network.

He’ll be introduced in the next new episode of “The Rookie,” and he’ll be staying on the show for a multi-episode arc. The exact number of episodes he’ll be on the series for has not yet been revealed.

Aside from his role on “WCTH,” Lissing, who recently announced his engagement to his girlfriend Nadia, has worked on shows like, “S.W.A.T.,” “Eye Candy” and “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” and he was also in Hallmark Channel’s 2016 holiday flick, “A December Bride,” and the 2018 one, “Christmas in Love.”

Not much is known about Lissing’s storyline on the show, but a promo image finds him meeting and shaking hands with Titus Makin Jr.’s Jackson West in Season 2, episode 9.

Of the rest of the episode, the synopsis shares: “Officer Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) trust is tested when he tries to help the previous owner of his home reconnect with his family. Meanwhile, Officer Harper (Mekia Cox) has finally earned an overnight visit with her daughter that is put into jeopardy when her past undercover life resurfaces again.”

“The Rookie” also stars Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen and Eric Winter as Tim Bradford.

The guest cast for this episode, which was written by Alexi Hawley and Corey Miller and directed by Leslie Libman, also includes Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, Harold Perrineau as Detective Nick Armstrong, Ali Larter as Dr. Grace Sawyer, Jasmine Mathews as Rachel Hall, Carsyn Rose as Lila and Geoffrey Rivas as Howard Green.

“The Rookie” comes back with Season 2, episode 9 on Dec. 1 on ABC at 10 p.m. EST.