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\n\tWith ABC\u2019s upfront presentation only 10 days away, the network is expected to make a decision on its drama pilot The Rookie: North<\/em> in the coming week. The Rookie<\/em> spinoff remains in strong contention as evidenced by the fact that ABC only passed on its other pilot, comedy pilot Do You Want Kids?<\/em>, earlier this week. (Broadcast networks often make pass calls first before they proceed with pickups.)<\/p>\n \n\tAs Deadline has reported, it has come down to The Rookie: North,<\/em> starring Jay Ellis, and freshman series R.J. Decker,<\/em> starring Scott Speedman. It could be one or the other, with The Rookie: North<\/em> having a slight edge, or both with reduced orders (and other returning series possibly getting an episode order haircut) to make the budget work. <\/p>\n \n\tA big selling point for The Rookie: North<\/em> is the crossover possibilities with the mothership The Rookie, <\/em>starring Nathan Fillion, which has been renewed for a ninth season. Crossovers continue to do well as marketing stunts that drive up viewership. ABC did them with Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> and Station 19<\/em> as well as The Rookie<\/em> and former spinoff The Rookie: Feds; 9-1-1<\/em> and 9-1-1: Nashville<\/em> did a crossover event this season. <\/p>\n \n\tIf The Rookie: North <\/em>is picked up to series, expect crossovers, The Rookie<\/em> and The Rookie: North<\/em> creator, executive producer and showrunner Alexi Hawley said. That will kick off right off the bat as The Rookie: North<\/em> pilot features an appearance by Fillion as his Rookie<\/em> character John Nolan. (Fillion also executive produces the spinoff.)<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a spoiler to say, there\u2019s a bit of crossover with Nathan in the pilot,\u201d Hawley said in an interview with Deadline tied to the Season 8 finale of The Rookie<\/em>. \u201cBeyond that, organic opportunities, for sure, it\u2019s harder obviously, with the Vancouver or the Pacific Northwest of it all and LA. Feds<\/em> was designed on purpose with a lot of crossovers.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe Rookie<\/em> is set and films in Los Angeles. The Rookie: North<\/em> is set in the Pacific Northwest and films in Vancouver. Like The Rookie,<\/em> short-lived spinoff The Rookie: Feds<\/em> was based in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI think ultimately it was less important for the network that that be a factor in, like a certain number a season which I think freezes up to a certain extent, we don\u2019t have to do that, but I\u2019m looking for ways to cross over in both directions; honestly, I think you have to do that,\u201d Hawley said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019ll be a multitude a season, but I think maybe a couple episodes, or two or three episodes a season. You find a storyline that crosses over, it would be kind of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe Rookie: North <\/em>centers on Alex Holland (Ellis) who believed his mid-life wasn\u2019t worthy of a crisis. But after a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex battles a lifetime of failed commitments by joining the Pierce County Police Department as its oldest rookie.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe pilot came out great,\u201d Hawley told Deadline earlier this month. \u201cThe network seems super happy with it. You never know until you know but we have a really amazing cast, led by Jay Ellis who\u2019s a star; it was a joy to make that with him and the rest of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tEllis also gave the pilot his stamp of approval. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI have seen the pilot twice, I think it\u2019s great,\u201d he recently told Deadline. \u201cI think you\u2019re gonna fall in love with all these characters.\u201d<\/p>\n