Discover the Perfect TV Show Pairing: The Rookie Season 7 and Dick Wolf’s New 91% RT Audience Score Police Procedural

ABC’s The Rookie is currently captivating audiences in its seventh season, while renowned TV producer Dick Wolf introduces a fresh police procedural that could serve as an excellent follow-up. Since its debut in 2018, The Rookie has established itself among the array of police dramas on network television. What sets this series apart is not only its impressive cast but also its compelling and realistic premise: a man in his 40s embarks on a journey as the oldest rookie at the LAPD.

With a plethora of police procedural and emergency responder shows available, viewers often find it challenging to select the right series for their tastes. For those in search of light yet engaging entertainment, The Rookie checks all the boxes. The show, while not groundbreaking, offers thrilling action sequences and a lovable ensemble cast. Nathan Fillion’s captivating lead performance is a standout, often prompting viewers to seek out similar series, which is fortunate as a promising new show has just launched.

Prime Video’s On Call: A Compelling Companion to The Rookie

Comparing On Call to The Rookie

The latest police procedural series akin to The Rookie is On Call, now streaming on Prime Video. This new drama features veteran officer Traci Harmon and her rookie partner, Alex Diaz, as they navigate the challenging and often harrowing streets of Long Beach, California. Their storyline delves into the grim realities of crime and their coping with the recent loss of a colleague. Notably, this series is spearheaded by Dick Wolf, the mastermind behind many iconic police dramas, and is helmed by Eriq LaSalle of ER fame.

At first glance, On Call may appear as just another police drama centered around two officers tackling crime. However, its narrative closely mirrors that of The Rookie, particularly with the inclusion of a rookie officer, fostering the engaging rookie-vs-veteran dynamic that fans adore. Moreover, On Call delves into the psychological and emotional toll of police work, a recurring theme in The Rookie.

The Divide: Why On Call‘s Ratings Split Critics and Viewers

Reception Parallels: On Call versus The Rookie

Since its premiere on January 9, 2025, On Call has garnered mixed reviews, currently holding a 56% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics argue that it fails to set itself apart from other offerings in the genre, describing it as somewhat compelling yet lacking depth. In contrast, audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with a rating of 91%, primarily praising the drama and Troian Bellisario’s standout performance. This phenomenon highlights an interesting trend: while critics view the series as too conventional, audiences believe it rises above traditional police dramas.

The polarizing reception of On Call is reminiscent of that of The Rookie. The latter also enjoys a 68% critics score but receives high audience approval, standing at 91%. Reviews echo similar sentiments, with critics deeming The Rookie simplistic and attributing its success mainly to Fillion’s dynamic presence. In contrast, viewers appreciate its fresh approach amid similar series, reinforcing the connection between On Call and The Rookie.

On Call Within Dick Wolf’s Expanded Universe

Analyzing Wolf’s Divisive Ratings on Rotten Tomatoes

On Call joins the illustrious lineage of police procedurals crafted by Dick Wolf, fitting seamlessly into his expansive portfolio. Many of Wolf’s series, including Chicago Fire, which holds a 50% critic score against a much higher audience rating of 78%, experience similar critical divides. Interestingly, On Call boasts a higher audience score than previous Wolf efforts, rated at 91%.

Despite this mixed critical reception, Wolf’s shows have consistently thrived over the years. Numerous series have surpassed ten seasons, with others spawning various spin-offs and building extensive cinematic universes. This trend suggests that, irrespective of critics’ views, viewers remain loyal to Wolf’s creations, indicating On Call is likely to enjoy a long lifespan, potentially matching the success of The Rookie.

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