Jenna Dewan is joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars season 35, premiering September 15, 2026, on ABC.
Fans want to know if Jenna will leave her job as Bailey Nune on The Rookie to take part in Dancing With the Stars.
Jenna revealed the answer on September 2, including that her DWTS partner wants to be on The Rookie.
Jenna Dewan is stepping back into her dancing shoes.
On September 2, fans of the actress were excited to see her join the cast of Dancing With the Stars season 35. This marked a full-circle moment for Jenna, who was a backup dancer for Janet Jackson before making her big break in Hollywood as Nora Clark in the 2006 dance film Step Up.
While fans are ecstatic to see Jenna and her partner Valentin “Val” Chmerkovskiy on DWTS, there are some concerns about how she’ll handle her role as Bailey Nune on The Rookie. After all, she’s been on the ABC drama since season 3, and the show is currently shooting season 9.
So, is Jenna Dewan leaving The Rookie?
Much to the excitement of fans, Jenna Dewan is not leaving The Rookie. When this subject came up in an interview with TV Insider, Jenna revealed that the show has been quite accommodating.
“I’m doing both at the same time,” she told the outlet in an Instagram video posted on September 2. “They’re being amazing. They’re all so excited for this opportunity, and they’re really working it out between the two productions. But yes. I’m gonna be slightly insane going in between filming The Rookie and coming here and doing the shows, but it’s all exciting. I’m here for the challenge, and the best people in the world are working it out.”
Val also noted he’s into the idea of making a cameo on The Rookie.
“Yeah, I think that’s a no-brainer,” he noted.
“That’d be amazing,” Jenna said. “Well, I know that the cast really would like you to come and teach them some [moves].”
Jenna’s castmates on The Rookie couldn’t be more thrilled about her DWTS moment.
“You got this, @jennadewan 💃,” read the caption on Instagram alongside messages from Melissa O’Neil, Alyssa Diaz, Deric Augustine, Eric Winter, Lisseth Chavez, and Nathan Fillion on September 8. “Sending love from Mid-Wilshire Station ahead of the #DWTS two-night premiere starting next Tuesday, September 15 on ABC and Disney+! Stream next day on Hulu.”
And Jenna was equally appreciative of the support she’s getting from her family on The Rookie.
“Love my Rookie fam so much!!! 😭😭,” she replied in the comments. “The support you all (fans included!!) have shown me is enough to make my heart burst ❤️.”
How exciting!
