TV series
The Rookies is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It follows the exploits of three rookie police officers working in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department.
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Checked Sep 3, 2026
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The Rookies is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It follows the exploits of three rookie police officers working in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department.
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Episode 1
In the introductory episode of the series, the presence of several street gangs contributes to a tension-filled atmosphere. The Rookies are assigned with the challenge of maintaining order amongst the rivaling street gangs, with Willie Gillis arising as the mediator between the gangs.
Directed by Leonard HornWritten by Larry BrodyGuest stars Shelly Novack, Hilly Hicks, Ian Sander
Episode 2
The division is under investigation for misconduct, following several citizen complaints. When a complaint against African-American Officer Webster contains no racial references despite its strong wording, Webster suspects an impostor, and evidence begins to suggest a police academy washout in uniform.
Directed by Leonard HornWritten by Larry BrodyGuest stars Mark Slade, Dane Clark, Tom Tully, Sam Edwards, William Mims, Gerald York
Episode 3
Officer's Webster and Gillis try to help a young man break away from two thugs who are using him as their wheel-man for robberies they are committing. But when the thugs take his girlfriend hostage it complicates their efforts.
Directed by Leonard HornWritten by Rance HowardGuest stars Ian Wolfe, Sarah Seegar, Kaz Garas, James B. Sikking
Episode 4
Gillis is severly injured during an armed robbery. The doctors inform him that further surgery could leave him paralyzed leaving the police officer not knowing what to do.
Directed by Leonard HornGuest stars Arlene Golonka, Bo Svenson, Virginia Capers, Darleen Carr, Vic Tayback
Episode 5
Against advice of their lieutenant, Webster and Gillis are charmed by Toby Jones (Louis Gossett Jr.) who leads an evangelical church fighting drug use. When Gillis spots Jones fleeing a heroin house bust he uncovers Jones' criminal history.
Directed by Leonard Horn, Earl BellamyWritten by William BlinnGuest stars Louis Gossett Jr., Joan Shawlee, John Randolph, Terry Lumley
Episode 6
A young woman, Andrea Sloan, is kidnapped and held for ransom. Complications ensue.
Directed by Earl BellamyWritten by William Blinn, Mark Weingart, Mark WeingartGuest stars William Windom, Peggy McCay, John Kerr, Joe Maross, Lynne Marta, Craig Stevens, Ketty Lester
Episode 7
Willie struggles to cope with the death of a young man he shot during a break-in who appeared to be unarmed. That is until an unidentified caller gives reason to believe another person might be responsible for his death.
Directed by Jud TaylorGuest stars David Huddleston, Pamela Susan Shoop, Walter Woolf King, Shelley Morrison, Jeanne Bates
Episode 8
Assigned with the task of protecting a valuable witness, Danko and the Officers must exercise caution regarding visitors to the prison. When a professional killer disguises himself as a professor seeking to interview Sol (the witness), Danko denies him the opportunity. Nevertheless, Danko does agree to help the 'professor' by accompanying him to an aircraft hanger where he claims he is meeting a friend.
Directed by Leonard Horn, Earl BellamyGuest stars Vincent Gardenia, Roddy McDowall
Episode 9
After three woman are murdered, the Police Squad takes action. In order to solve the mysterious murders and prevent future ones, the Squad welcomes two women officers to the force, Dawson and Conway. A plan is created which places Dawson and Conway in an apartment complex together, with Webster and Gillis across the hall.
Directed by Ralph Senensky, Earl BellamyGuest stars Michael Fox, James Olson, Julie Cobb, Leslie Charleson, Cheryl Ladd, Cal Bellini
Episode 10
In an effort to prove he's no 'old man', Officer Danko chases down a fleeing criminal. While he succeeds in apprehending the thief, his partners Webster and Gillis fail to catch the criminal's brother, who is also running from the law. Danko testifies in court against the criminal he caught, thereby infuriating the brother who is unassumingly observing in the courtroom.
Directed by Ralph Senensky, Jerry JamesonGuest stars Amzie Strickland, Frank Maxwell, S. John Launer
Episode 11
The rookies are given the task of protecting a controversial Army General who has recently returned to the country after serving in Vietnam. The rookies must deal with mob control, as well as actively track down a sniper who hits the General. The rookies most valuable clue is an old army rifle, used in the General's shooting, whose owner the rookies must uncover.
Written by William BlinnGuest stars Burr DeBenning, George Sawaya, Alan Vint, Belinda Montgomery, Don Porter, Connie Sawyer
Episode 12
Investigating a shooting, the Rookies learn the victim Miller wore a police uniform as a costume. In the next attack, Webster loses his sight temporarily; despite this disability, he helps break the case.
Directed by William F. ClaxtonGuest stars Brooke Bundy, Jared Martin, Stanley Kamel
Episode 13
Danko's veteran partner (Earl Holliman) loses his family ranch and unborn son in a single day. Danko doesn't want to add to his woes by reporting on his growing rage on and off the job.
Directed by Jerry JamesonWritten by William BlinnGuest stars Earl Holliman, Pippa Scott
Episode 14
A shady man claims to be the father of a runaway teen who's recently crossed the path of Gills. The rookies set out to find her for him unaware he has lied to them from the start.
Directed by Gene NelsonGuest stars Michael Pataki, Susan Senett, James Luisi, Charles Aidman, Sheila Bromley
Episode 15
Gills arrests a washed up fighter (Lou Antonio) who's still connected enough to get bailed out in hours. The bitter drunk decides to fire bomb Gills for revenge.
Directed by Gene Nelson, Leonard HornGuest stars Carmen Zapata, Frank Puglia, Lou Antonio, Radames Pera, Norman Alden
Episode 16
Webster teams with a jaded and cynical veteran African-American police officer, RC Taylor. Mark Culpepper claims to have seen a crime but Taylor doesn't believe him. At a camp for troubled youth, Mark is targeted by the real perpetrators.
Directed by Leonard HornGuest stars Woodrow Parfrey, Percy Rodriguez, Virginia Capers, Clint Howard, Eric Laneuville, Mitzi Hoag, Wayne Maunder
Episode 17
Country, a small time hood with a cocaine addiction, learns that police HQ is storing a large amount of drugs. He becomes involved to steal the cache before it's destroyed. Webster is taken hostage trying to help Country beat his problem.
Directed by Gene Nelson, Ralph SenenskyWritten by William Douglas LansfordGuest stars Martin Sheen, Suzanne Charny, Don Dubbins
Episode 18
Terry investigates an old friend's apparently purposeless attack on a cop.
Directed by Gene NelsonGuest stars Tina Cole, Ford Rainey, Rafael Campos, Victor Campos
Episode 19
A daring plan is crafted by a convict's wife to release a prisoner from incarceration: an innocent and helpless police officer, who is undergoing surgery, is taken hostage. The rest of the medical staff in the operating room is also put at risk, including Mike Danko's wife, Jill.
Guest stars Beverly Garland, Paul Carr, Jacqueline Scott, Bill Williams
Episode 20
Widower father Frank Essex targets a local criminal organization to pay for his son's hospital stay. On the run from both sides of the law, he doesn't know that he's the only donor who can save the boy's life.
Guest stars Cheryl Ladd
Episode 21
The rookies try to disengage a robbery network by leaving the undesirable city slums and working in the suburbs. They discover that the main suspect is a dear, old friend of Lieutenant Ryker's. The man is also a special security guard of the community.
Directed by Harry FalkWritten by William Blinn
Episode 22
The rookies are presented with a ""difficult"" court case. While the case is essentially an open and shut, obvious manslaughter conviction, trouble arises: the most important element in the conviction, the only witness, is discovered to suffer from mental retardation.
Directed by Harry Falk, Lou AntonioGuest stars Logan Ramsey, Tyne Daly
Episode 23
The rookies may be confronted with a problem worse than the nurse who holds a grudge against all police officers: they discover that her younger brother is associating with thugs who are the organizers of a current neighborhood protection scandal.
Directed by Lou AntonioGuest stars Curt Conway, Hilly Hicks, Teresa Graves
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
Georg Stanford BrownTerry Webster
Sam MelvilleMike Danko
Michael OntkeanWillie Gillis
Bruce FairbairnChris Owens
Kate JacksonJill Danko
Gerald S. O'LoughlinLt. Ed Ryker
Scott Jacoby
ABCUnited StatesMore shows like The Rookies.
