Jenna Dewan’s DWTS Debut Raises Questions About Her The Rookie Future
Jenna Dewan’s return to the dance floor has become one of the biggest entertainment talking points around ABC this week — but her Dancing With the Stars appearance does not currently signal an exit from The Rookie.
Dewan made her DWTS Season 35 competition debut on Wednesday, September 16, dancing a tango with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy to Blondie’s “Call Me.” She received 19 out of 30 from the judges and remained in the competition after the second night of the season premiere.
The timing has prompted renewed interest in what her participation means for her role as Bailey Nune on ABC’s The Rookie, particularly because Season 9 of the police drama is also in production.
Jenna Dewan Is Doing Both Shows
The key update is that Dewan has said she plans to work on both productions at the same time.
In a September 2 interview with TV Insider, Dewan explained that The Rookie and Dancing With the Stars were working around her overlapping schedules.
“I’m doing both at the same time,” Dewan said, according to TV Insider.
She added that the two productions were working out the logistics and acknowledged that moving between The Rookie filming and the live dance competition would be demanding.
That means there is currently no confirmed indication that Dewan is leaving The Rookie because of DWTS.
What Happened During Jenna Dewan’s DWTS Debut?
Dewan and Chmerkovskiy performed their first routine on September 16.
Their tango was set to Blondie’s “Call Me,” part of the premiere’s theme in which the celebrities performed to songs associated with the year they were born.
The pair earned 19/30, while Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas finished the night with 21 points. Dewan’s dance background was also part of the discussion surrounding her performance.
Dewan is an experienced dancer who previously worked as a backup dancer and rose to prominence with the 2006 movie Step Up. However, she has emphasized that ballroom dancing is a different discipline from the styles she previously performed.
Her DWTS run therefore represents a transition into a different form of dance rather than simply a return to the exact style associated with her earlier career.
Will Jenna Dewan Leave The Rookie?
There is no confirmed announcement that Dewan is leaving The Rookie.
ABC’s official Dancing With the Stars biography identifies Dewan as a current star of The Rookie, where she plays Lt. Bailey Nune. ABC also says the series has been renewed for Season 9 and is scheduled to return in early 2027.
The network’s current 2027 schedule information likewise lists The Rookie among the returning programs planned for that year.
Dewan joined The Rookie near the end of Season 3 in 2021 and became a series regular in Season 4. Her character Bailey is married to Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan, making her an established part of the show’s central ensemble.
Why The Rookie Fans Are Watching DWTS
The interest comes largely from the unusual scheduling overlap.
The Rookie is preparing its ninth season while Dancing With the Stars requires its celebrities to rehearse and perform live during the fall competition.
Dewan has already addressed the scheduling question directly, saying both productions are working together to make it possible. Her DWTS appearance therefore gives fans something new to follow without currently changing the known status of Bailey Nune on The Rookie.
There is also an additional connection between the two shows: Dewan said her The Rookie co-stars were supportive of her casting. She specifically mentioned Nathan Fillion, Melissa O’Neil, Alyssa Diaz and Mekia Cox among those excited about her participation.
What Happens Next for Jenna Dewan?
Dewan’s next DWTS appearance will determine whether she continues into the following round of the competition.
For The Rookie, the confirmed information remains straightforward: Season 9 is coming in 2027, and ABC currently lists Dewan as Bailey Nune.
So while her Dancing With the Stars run may create scheduling challenges, the latest public information does not support speculation that Bailey is being written out of The Rookie.
The immediate story is instead that Dewan is juggling two ABC productions — returning to her dance roots on DWTS while continuing her role on one of the network’s returning dramas.
FAQs
Is Jenna Dewan leaving The Rookie for DWTS?
No. Dewan has said she is working on Dancing With the Stars and The Rookie simultaneously. ABC currently lists her as part of The Rookie Season 9.
Did Jenna Dewan compete on DWTS?
Yes. Dewan made her Season 35 debut on September 16, 2026, with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
What score did Jenna Dewan receive on DWTS?
Dewan and Chmerkovskiy received 19 out of 30 for their tango during the second night of the Season 35 premiere.
Who does Jenna Dewan play on The Rookie?
Dewan plays Bailey Nune, a firefighter and paramedic who became a series regular beginning with Season 4.
When is The Rookie Season 9 coming back?
ABC says The Rookie Season 9 is scheduled to premiere in early 2027, although a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.
