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Villains make the world go round. What is a good story without one, and thankfully, ABC's The Rookie has a good story and several villains we all love to hate in equal measure. The show is currently in its off-season with filming on its upcoming eighth season currently ongoing and, with its premiere in 2026, will come the return of some of our most beloved characters. Season 7 ended with a couple of baddies getting loose of the cages that held them down. Matthew Glave’s Oscar Hutchinson and notorious villain, Monica Stevenson (Bridget Regan), both sprang loose using two different methods. With production underway, one of them has been quite active online, continually pleading innocence, of course.

While the legal powerhouse, Ada Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore), has consistently been on the right side of the law. Monica Stevens is on the opposite aisle as the corrupt attorney has consistently been on the radar of law enforcement.

Actor Jim Parsons, who rose to stardom while playing Sheldon Cooper in the long-running sitcom The Big Bang Theory, has found his next role. After a Broadway run and his work as narrator in the Big Bang spinoff prequel Young Sheldon, Parsons is ready for a major change out of comedy, as the actor has been cast in The Leader, a true-crime biopic that will tell the story of the religious cult known as Heaven's Gate.

Per Deadline, Parsons has joined Tim Blake Nelson and Vera Farmiga for the project, which is currently in production. Nelson and Farmiga are set to play the cult's leaders, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, while Parsons' role remains under wraps. Other actors participating in the project include Grace Caroline Currey, Simon Rex, Matthew Glave, William Mapother, Geoffrey Arend, Kelly Lynn Reiter, and Molly Robbins.

Michael Gallagher is writing and directing The Leader. His previous...

Two years ago, we heard that Tim Blake Nelson and Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring) would be starring in The Leader, a true crime biopic about a story that shocked the world back in 1997, the mass suicide of the members of the Heaven’s Gate cult. That project has finally made it into production, and Deadline reports that Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) has joined the cast. Details on the character he’ll be playing haven’t been revealed – but it’s not difficult to imagine him playing a member of the Heaven’s Gate cult.

Farmiga is playing cult leader Bonnie Nettles, a.k.a. Ti. Nelson’s character is the cult’s infamous frontman, Marshall Applewhite, a.k.a. Do. Also in the cast are Simon Rex (Red Rocket), Grace Caroline Currey (Fall), Matthew Glave (The Wedding Singer), William Mapother (In the Bedroom), Jb Yowell (A Jar Full of Christmas...

Best known for his role on The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon Cooper, Jim Parsons is taking on something very different for his next big role. He is the latest addition to the cast of The Leader, an upcoming thriller inspired by the real-life story of the infamous Heaven's Gate religious group.

Per Deadline, Parsons has officially joined the cast of The Leader, but his role has not yet been disclosed. He won't be playing Marshall Herff Applewhite, referred to as "Do" by his followers, who led the group alongside Bonnie Lu Lettles, also known as "Ti." It was previously announced that Tim Blake Nelson and Vera Farmiga were respectively playing Marshall and Bonnie.

The film was written and directed by Michael Gallagher. Other confirmed cast members include Simon Rex (Red Rocket), Grace Caroline Currey (Shazam! Fury of the Gods), Matthew Glave (The Wedding Singer), William Mapother (Lost), Jb Yowell...

Exclusive: Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) is a new addition to the cast of The Leader, the true-crime thriller inspired by the story of the infamous religious group Heaven’s Gate, which is now in production.

Character details are under wraps. Parsons joins an ensemble led by Tim Blake Nelson and Vera Farmiga.

Written and directed by Michael Gallagher, The Leader tells the unbelievable true story of UFO cult leaders Marshall Herff Applewhite (Nelson) and Bonnie Lu Nettles (Farmiga), who inspired hundreds of people to abandon their families, drop out of society, and prepare to evacuate planet Earth. Heaven’s Gate, the group that inspired the film, committed the largest mass suicide ever to take place on U.S. soil.

Others in the cast include Simon Rex, Grace Caroline Currey, Matthew Glave, William Mapother, Jb Yowell, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Danielle Vasinova, Blake Robbins, Jana Gallagher, Paten Hughes, Molly Robbins,...

Police procedural The Rookie is one of several network TV series having their own panels at 2025's San Diego Comic-Con, and details coming out of the panel from ScreenRant's own Rachel Foertsch indicate just why showrunner Alexi Hawley decided to take the series to Prague in the season 8 premiere.

The news of taking The Rookie, a series focused on police officers in Los Angeles, California, to Prague in the Czech Republic came as a surprise to many fans of the show. Hawley, however, had a reason that contributed to his ambitious plans for the season 8 premiere of the series.

While on the Sdcc panel, Hawley spoke about needing to "repilot a bit" as The Rookie headed into its eighth season. He told the panel audience:

I rolled into season 7 feeling like we needed to repilot a bit, which is kind of what that first episode is.

While Hawley did...

The Rookie Season 8 is already in production, and we can't wait (though we don't have a choice really) to return to Mid-Wilshire Division. The police procedural will not be will not be returning till 2026, which means we will likely have several episodes in the bank when Season 8 premieres in mid-season. The show typically follows the lives of police officers living in Los Angeles, with Nathan Fillion's John Nolan, the centerpiece of the machine. Fillion's Nolan is married to firefighter Bailey Nune, played by Jenna Dewan. Thanks to a post shared by Dewan on social media, it's been revealed that The Rookie Season 8 is set to delve into new waters as it takes the show to new filming locations by going international for the first time ever.

A series of posts shared by Dewan on Instagram reveal that the actress was filming scenes in Prague, Czech Republic. It marks...

One of ABC's biggest shows right now is the police procedural drama, The Rookie, which follows Nathan Fillion‘s John Nolan as he becomes the oldest rookie in the LAPD when he opts to change careers. A hugely successful show, all seems set for the series to expand with another spin-off potentially coming to the fore. According to Deadline, an order pilot for a spin-off titled The Rookie North from the original series’ creator, Alexi Hawley, “has been gaining momentum.” It was first reported in December 2024, that The Rookie was potentially poised for another spin-off with ABC, 20th Television, and Lionsgate Television developing.

Besides the title reveal, it was also revealed that the proposed offshoot is working towards the casting of the lead, with “a handful of known actors … approached for the role.” Other details about the spin-off were also shared as it is believed to be similar to the Fillion's original series.

The Chenford romance is one of, if not, the most beloved relationships in the long-running police procedural, The Rookie. While Bailey (Jenna Dewan) and John Nolan's (Nathan Fillion) marriage has its own appeal, the dynamic between Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) has seen fans of the show embark on a roller-coaster ride for a number of seasons now. By the time Season 7 ended, the couple had reunited romantically after their breakup in Season 6, and Richard T. Jones, who plays Sergeant Grey, has teased how this might affect the couple's relationship with their superior.

Grey had always been on the side of Chen, and the glee and pride were exceedingly evident when he presented Chen with news of her promotion. The officer had also cultivated a close relationship with Bradford, so when he received word the pair were casually seeing each other again, it threw him off.

Nathan Fillion’s The Rookie has been renewed for an eighth season, giving us more adventures from John Nolan and the cops at LAPD Mid-Wilshire. However, ABC’s new update is upsetting for fans who were hoping to see the series back soon. The network won’t air the new season until mid-season 2026.

Fans expressed their disappointment with this decision on social media. The new season is expected to follow a schedule similar to that of the current season, which aired from January 2025 to May 2025. The finale of Season 7 aired on May 13, with a bit of a disappointing reaction from fans.

The Rookie Season 8 update does not make fans happy Nathan Fillion as John Nolan in The Rookie | Credits: ABC

Nathan Fillion’s The Rookie saw his character, John Nolan, join the LAPD as the oldest rookie. The premise of the show was interesting as it dealt with Nolan’s...

The Rookie isn’t letting up. Season 8 is bringing back its most calculating villain, and this time, she’s untouchable. Having slipped through every trap, this nemesis has now leveled up with serious protection, making her harder to take down than ever.

What’s coming next? Well, with justice slipping further out of reach, one can expect more mind games, more manipulation, and a whole lot of rage from the team. If you thought last season was wild, S8 is out to mess with your head.

The Rookie Season 8 doubles down with two villains, both more dangerous than ever Nathan Fillion as John Nolan in The Rookie | Credits: ABC

The Rookie Season 8 is reportedly set to bring back not one, but two villains, who slipped right through the LAPD’s fingers. And neither one’s playing fair anymore.

Let’s start with Oscar Hutchinson. Played by Matthew Glave, Oscar...

Nathan Fillion’s The Rookie saw his character, John Nolan, join the LAPD as the oldest rookie. The premise of the show was interesting as it dealt with Nolan’s struggles to get through his training period as a rookie. As the show progressed, he went on to become a respectable police officer in the department. The show is currently on its seventh season and has been renewed for an eighth.

Interestingly, Fillion’s character no longer fits the title, as the show has seen some new rookies over the last few years. Even John Nolan’s first rookie, Celina Juarez, has become a training officer now. This was exactly what John Oliver joked about the show when it was renewed over Doctor Odyssey.

John Oliver’s criticism of Nathan Fillion’s The Rookie is unfortunately true! Nathan Fillion as John Nolan in The Rookie | Credits: ABC

Nathan Fillion‘s...

Season 7 of The Rookie was packed with many subplots to keep audiences engaged. The return of Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee), Bailey's (Jenna Dewan) abusive and criminal ex-husband, meant that for a time period, John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and his wife were caught in the eye of a violent storm. The introduction of new recruits, Miles Penn (Deric Augustine) and Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher), meant the chance to explore new stories with Seth's compulsion to lie a key part of the season's storyline. Among this and other subplots, the writers and showrunner Alexi Hawley also had to craft out some space for Chenford's romance to be explored.

Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) saw their relationship end in Season 6 when Tim unilaterally decided he was not good enough for Lucy. The couple spent a large part of Season 7 working their way back to each other. Despite several hook-up situations,...

Matthew Glave’s Oscar Hutchinson ended the Season 7 finale of The Rookie in the wind despite the best efforts of Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion). Spanning over half a dozen seasons, The Rookie has introduced several side characters and villains who have, in their time as part of the ABC procedural, added to the show's value. Glave's Oscar has been a recurring villain and, despite the assumption that he had been bagged, he ultimately finished the season beyond the reach of the LAPD. Showrunner Alexi Hawley was quizzed on why this particular villain had persisted, and it would seem like the actor's ability on screen is a huge factor.

In The Rookie Season 7 finale, Oscar takes Fillion's Nolan captive with Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) on his tail and coming to John's rescue. Oscar would end up making his escape in a helicopter right before Nyla could wrap her fingers around him.

Warning: Spoilers for The Rookie season 7, episode 18, "The Good, The Bad, And The Oscar."

While season 7 of The Rookie has established a few new threats with potential to recur throughout the series, creator and showrunner Alexi Hawley explains why one long-standing villain remains at large after the season finale. With over half a dozen seasons under the series’ belt, The Rookie cast has incorporated several side characters and villains who have earned about as much popularity with fans as the show’s main stars. And at the end of The Rookie season 7 finale, two of the series’ most well-known villains are set to continue complicating the lives of John Nolan and friends.

Speaking with ScreenRant, Hawley elaborates on the reason for keeping Matthew Glave’s Oscar Hutchinson in the wind. He takes Nolan hostage in The Rookie season 7 finale, but he escapes in a helicopter right as Nyla and a...

The Rookie Season 7 has ended its run and in setting up its eighth season, big villains like Monica Stevenson (Bridget Regan) and Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) were released. While that poses significant threats on various levels to the LAPD officers at Mid-Wilshire, some audience members would be more concerned with the state of the relationship between Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter). While the pair had slowly worked their way back to each other over the course of the season, Chenford ended the season still not officially a couple. Despite Tim's heartfelt speech at the end, that relationship still hangs in the balance as Lucy heard none of it, being fast asleep. So, what does Season 8 hold for the couple?

Tim broke up with Lucy in the Season 6 finale and, given the progress the couple had made all season, some fans expecting a reconciliation and the pair...

The Rookie has ended its run for Season 7 and there was much to unpack in the final episode. The ABC procedural will be returning for an eighth season, and the season finale for Season 7 seems to be setting up potential storylines. By the end of the episode, Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim Bradford's (Eric Winter) relationship, Chenford, were still not officially a couple. To wash down that disappointment, the episode ends with the return of the notorious villain, Monica Stevenson (Bridget Regan). Having leveraged secrets stolen from an Nsa facility, Monica was able to get herself an immunity deal. The villainous character walked past a stunned team at the Mid-Wilshire station as FBI Agent Matt Garza (Felix Solis) makes the announcement.

Monica isn't the only villain to return to the show ahead of Season 8, with Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) returning for another set of long-running battles with John Nolan...

“The Rookie” Season 7 came to a close Tuesday night with an action-packed finale that, in classic “Rookie” fashion, left us with a big cliffhanger as we head into Season 8.

Back from her big international escape at the end of Season 6, lawyer-turned-baddie Monica (Bridget Regan) strutted back into the lives of the Mid-Wilshire crew with moments to spare in the Season 7 finale — now with immunity, after she leveraged highly-classified intel to make a deal.

Before we got to the big cliffhanger, Nolan came to life-or-death blows with Oscar (Matthew Glave) after the escaped convict abducted him. They both managed to make it out alive thanks to some quick work by Nyla (Mekia Cox), who recruited a kid with a drone to save the day, but not before taking heavy fire from Oscar’s ride — a helicopter that rained down gunfire while shepherding the longtime antagonist out of the law’s grasp once again.

Spoiler Alert: The story includes details about the Season 7 finale of ABC’s The Rookie.

Chenford is (almost) back together. After a season of post-breakup heartache, casual hookups and truth serum-induced confessions, The Rookie‘s fan favorite couple took a giant step to reconciliation in the finale, which only physical exhaustion prevented from completion.

Lucy (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim (Eric Winter) faced one last obstacle after she became his peer by passing the Sergeant exam — working on opposite schedules as she was assigned the night shift. Both needed some encouragement from friends but finally got together. Tim cooked Lucy breakfast after her shift and poured his heart out in a speech asking her to move in with him to no response as Lucy had quickly dozed off. As Tim said to himself while covering Lucy with a blanket, “To be continued.”

John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) had his hands full...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for The Rookie Season 7 finale “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar.”] Well, the title of The Rookie Season 7 finale certainly is apt. In fact, you can break down the major parts of the episode in those three categories. The good: Chenford is so close to getting back together. Lucy (Melissa O’Neil) arrives home exhausted from working the night shift — the Dream Team? Cops who park their cars and take naps — to find Tim (Eric Winter) cooking for her. He’s talking about them getting back together and taking next steps (moving in together!) only for her to fall asleep. The Oscar: Matthew Glave does return as the villain and even kidnaps Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and threatens to kill him, but Nyla (Mekia Cox) comes to his rescue, with the help of a teen and his drone. Oscar flees. And the bad? Well, that’s Monica (Bridget Regan), who’s revealed...

The following contains spoilers from the Season 7 finale of ABC’s The Rookie.

Yes, Alexi Hawley can hear #Chenford fans screaming, given how Season 7 of The Rookie ended on Tuesday night.

More from TVLine<em>Will Trent</em> and <em>The Rookie</em> to Return in 2026 With ‘Non-Stop’ Seasons, After ‘Gangbusters’ Performance This YearIs <em>Will Trent</em> Saying Goodbye to Two Original Cast Members? EPs Tease What to Expect in Season 4The Rookie Trio Ponders Tim's Next Move ('He's Whipped!'), Fights Over Season 7 Highlights - Watch

Much of the season ender involved John and Nyla (played by Nathan Fillion and Mekia Cox) hunting down...

Savor this week's episode of The Rookie because it will be a long while before new episodes air on ABC. The network revealed that the Nathan Fillion-led drama will not return until 2026 when presenting their fall lineup. This is the third year in a row in which The Rookie has been held off for a midseason premiere. When that happened this season, the network said it gave viewers the best viewing experience since there won't be big breaks between episodes like many Fall shows experience when the holiday season creeps up on them. This is not a huge cause for concern for fans, given that the network has already confirmed Season 8, but it will be a long wait. ABC has yet to reveal the specific return date.

The Season 7 finale airs tonight, Tuesday, May 13. Nolan's biggest enemy returns. "John and Harper (Mekia Cox) work together to catch Oscar (Matthew Glave...

At least the U.S. Marshals are the only ones to laugh at Nolan (Nathan Fillion) for his theory about the fugitive Oscar (Matthew Glave). In fact, in TV Insider’s exclusive sneak peek of The Rookie Season 7 finale, Grey (Richard T. Jones) gives him some latitude to investigate. Nolan is so sure he’s figured out where Oscar will be, based on when he’ll be able to steal some diamonds. He did reach out to the feds, and “Garza was kind enough not to laugh at my face,” he tells Grey. While it is a stretch, his boss gives him a temporary duty assignment since he feels so strongly about it. “Congratulations, you are officially Detective Nolan for the next 48 hours,” Grey says. Watch the full sneak peek above for more, including why Grey tells him to “just leave, just leave.” Leaving Oscar’s return to when he...

Fans get an early look at the Season 7 finale of The Rookie.

Per TV Promos, a promo trailer from the upcoming seventh season finale of The Rookie have given fans an early look at just how tense things are about to become on the hit police procedural. The trailer opens to Eric Winter's Officer Tim Bradford getting some cold hard truths about his relationship with Melissa O'Neil's Sergeant Lucy Chen before shifting gears and honing in on the ongoing hunt for Matthew Glave's Oscar Hutchinson.

Created by showrunner Alexi Hawley, The Rookie premiered in 2018 and immediately cemented its place as the then-latest breakout procedural series. The series stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, a newly-divorced man in his mid-forties who embarks upon a career with the LAPD after surviving an armed bank robbery. The Rookie has garnered near-universal acclaim across what will be a 125-episode run following...

The penultimate episode of The Rookie Season 7 saw a big shake-up in the race for District Attorney with its tense storyline involving Ada Sean Del Monte (Michael Trucco). It appeared that Wesley Evers' (Shawn Ashmore) colleague was a strong contender to take the seat, until he was blackmailed with evidence of his son Logan's (Benjamin J. Young) drug addiction amid an ongoing case against a member of the Eastern Front gang. Things only get uglier when Sean decides to do the right thing and take his son to rehab, only for the gang to confront the pair and nearly kill Logan. Fearing for his family, the Ada ultimately decides to drop out of the race, leaving the field suddenly wide open for a new contender. That new contender, according to showrunner Alexi Hawley, might just be Wesley.

In an interview with Collider's Therese Lacson, Hawley was asked about the...

For the Season 7 finale of ABC's procedural drama The Rookie, the show brings back one of its biggest villains. Oscar (Matthew Glave) has been antagonizing John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) for years and has been lying low since he broke out of prison in Season 6. "John and Harper (Mekia Cox) work together to catch Oscar; Angela (Alyssa Diaz) investigates a bank robbery; Lucy (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim (Eric Winter) learn to adapt to her new schedule, and Miles’ (Deric Augustine) first date takes an unexpected turn," the logline for The Rookie Season 7, Episode 18, "The Good, The Bad, and The Oscar" teases. ABC released a sneak peek of the episode airing next Tuesday, May 13, previewing several arcs the season-ender will tackle, including Lucy and Tim's situation, and Oscar's comeback.

The moment of truth arrives for Tim as, finally, he and Lucy can try making their relationship work without the existing dynamics that made it impossible.

Spoiler Alert: The story includes details about the May 6 Season 7 Episode 17 of ABC’s The Rookie, “Mutiny And The Bounty”.

The penultimate episode of The Rookie‘s seventh season marked the return of Flula Borg’s bounty hunter Skip Tracer Randy, a crypto billionaire for a day, who used his newfound wealth to try and win the heart of Chastity (Meg DeLacy), the stripper girlfriend of John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) half-brother Pete (Pete Davidson).

Davidson did not make an appearance but we did get an update on his character who “is traveling.” Meanwhile, Randy flaunting his money made Chastity a kidnapping target. She was ultimately rescued and Randy lost access to his crypto wallet after he forgot the password but not before he paid for Wolfgang Puck to cater dinner for the Mid-Wilshire police...

The Rookie has proven to be one of ABC's most-loved shows, given its consistent viewership and a dedicated fan base. Unsurprisingly, ABC developed a spin-off in 2023, but for various reasons, The Rookie: Feds failed to move past Season 1. The network has reportedly been looking for another The Rookie spin-off with franchise boss Alexi Hawley at the helm. Apart from the initial announcement, much about it has remained a mystery. "I feel really good about the script. Ultimately, we’re waiting to hear what the needs are [at ABC], but I feel very positive about it," Hawley told TV Line when asked about the untitled spin-off's progress. However, The Recruit's creator cautioned against too much optimism given the fate that his Netflix drama met recently, saying:

"My caveat, said with a genuine laugh, is that I also felt very positive about Season 3 of [Netflix’s] The Recruit, and it ended up not happening. But look,...

John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) knows something is seriously wrong whenever Skip Tracer Randy (Flula Borg) drops by on The Rookie. It's been a while since the bounty hunter has been on the show, but he returns in Tuesday's episode, and as usual, something has gone wrong. "The team helps Skip Tracer Randy when his new love interest is kidnapped. Meanwhile, Angela (Alyssa Diaz) and Nyla (Mekia Cox) enlist their moms to help catch a con artist, and Wesley is threatened to drop a case," reads the logline for The Rookie Season 7, Episode 17, "Mutiny and the Bounty." ABC released a sneak peek of the episode airing on May 6, which features another weird connection to Nolan, like in Abigail's (Madeleine Coghlan) case.

Skip Tracer Randy comes bearing news. "I'm in love!" he tells Nolan. But that's something mundane that most people go through. However, Nolan is flabbergasted to learn that Randy's...

The Rookie brought back Liam Glasser (Seth Gable) in Season 7, Episode 15, "A Deadly Secret," as documentarians revisited Westview, the condemned hospital where he had sharpened his serial killer teeth. It was revealed that someone had been deliberately using some illegal drugs for unsanctioned experiments, which affected some people. One of Abigail's (Madeleine Coghlan) final interviews included Glasser, who made a strong impression that he would appeal his case, citing the drugs as his defense. The development felt like a classic move by The Rookie, where it saves its villains for the future, and when asked about it, showrunner Alexi Hawley told TV Insider Glasser could return down the line. However, "Not this season," he said. "I think potentially going into Season 8. I mean, he’s such a great actor and such a great character, and we have not really ever taken anything to trial before on our show because...

As The Rookie nears the end of its seventh season, there’s still the matter of a couple of the fugitives who were free at the end of the last finale, Monica (Bridget Regan) and Oscar (Matthew Glave). But first, the ABC drama gives us another documentary-style episode on Tuesday, April 22. In “A Deadly Secret,” documentary filmmakers interview the LAPD on a complicated missing person’s case connected to John (Nathan Fillion). That episode, executive producer Alexi Hawley says, includes a “few unexpected revelations” for Tim (Eric Winter) and Lucy (Melissa O’Neil), “some things said that a camera caught that maybe they weren’t supposed to, which I think is fun.” Below, he previews more about what’s still to come in Season 7. Monica is still out there, but we got a taste of what she’s up to with the “Speed” episode. What can you say about what she...

The Rookie Season 7, Episode 14, "Mad About Murder," introduced a new storyline for Tim Bradford (Eric Winter). A hacker sent him a message, which spawned an investigation into the dark web, uncovering a killing spree in the city. However, the show did not close the arc properly since the hacker was never caught. Showrunner Alexi Hawley told Screen Rant that leaving the arc open is intentional, since they might need it in the future. "I think that's one of those breadcrumbs that, when the time is right, we'll bring back around. I love planting those seeds, and finding actors who come in to do a part [where] you're like, 'Oh God, we can't lose them.' Many of our great characters over the years were [found that way,]," he said, teasing a significant arc once the mysterious role was cast. Hawley talked about other instances where the show has fallen back on open arcs, saying:...

Nathan Fillion’s humor is a TV staple, but The Rookie forced him to rein it in. His usual charm didn’t quite fit the high-stakes world of law enforcement, where bullets fly and danger looms. Unlike Castle or Firefly, where quips came naturally, this cop drama demanded a more grounded approach. Still, Fillion found a way to blend wit with grit, keeping his signature charisma intact.

Nathan Fillion as John Nolan in The Rookie | Credits: CBS

While the jokes took a backseat, his presence remained just as compelling, proving that even in a serious role, he doesn’t need punchlines to steal the show.

Nathan Fillion had to tone down his humor for The Rookie because cop dramas require a different approach Nathan Fillion and Mekia Cox in NCIS | Credits: CBS

Nathan Fillion had to dial it down on his signature humor for The Rookie, because, as he puts it,...

The Rookie is all about high-stakes policing, but one day on set, the drama got way too real. Actual gunshots rang out nearby, forcing production to halt as real LAPD officers rushed in. What was meant to be a scripted cop show suddenly turned into a genuine emergency.

A still from The Rookie | Credits: Lionsgate Television

The incident was so intense that it pushed the team to rethink safety measures.

Real gunfire halts The Rookie filming, prompts immediate ban on live weapons Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil as Tim and Lucy in The Rookie Credit: Lionsgate Television

Things got intense on the set of The Rookie when real gunfire erupted during filming in Los Angeles. The shoot was interrupted as multiple gunshots hit a building near the crew, sending police flooding into the area.

The incident happened near Hartford Avenue and West 5th Street. Witnesses reported hearing three shots, while...

Nathan Fillion knows the danger of being typecast, but The Rookie helped him dodge a career-killing stereotype. While some actors get stuck in one iconic role, Fillion made sure he didn’t become just that guy from Castle. Instead, he proved his range, keeping his career fresh and unpredictable.

Nathan Fillion on The Rookie | Credits: Lionsgate Television

But breaking free from a fan-favorite character isn’t easy — so how did The Rookie change the game for him?

Nathan Fillion defies sci-fi typecasting, proving his career is more than just one genre Nathan Fillion on the ABC series Castle | Credits: Lionsgate Television

Nathan Fillion may be a sci-fi fan favorite, but don’t box him in just yet. The Firefly and Slither star knows he’s often labeled as a sci-fi guy, but he’s got a message for fans: his career is way bigger than that. Fillion once told Games Radar,...

When The Rookie Season 6 ended, three villains were free: Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) abusive ex Jason (Steve Kazee), dirty lawyer Monica (Bridget Regan), and prisoner Oscar (Matthew Glave). Since then, Jason has been killed. But the other two are very much out there and we have yet to hear a peep about them. Well, that’s going to change, as Nathan Fillion told TV Insider during our Booked: The Rookie Aftershow for Season 7 Episode 10. “We’re going to revisit some villains that we’ve met in the past. Bridget, who plays Monica so very well. God, I just love hating that character. She’ll be back causing more trouble,” he shared. “And of course Matthew Glave who’s going to come in and play Oscar; he’s been around since Season 2. He’ll charm you. He will entertain you. He seems so funny and harmless, but do not turn your...

The Rookie star Nathan Fillion has confirmed two villains will return in season 7, teasing who the team will have to deal with in the upcoming episodes. The Rookie season 7 is already no stranger to returning threats, with Nolan (Fillion) already having to deal with Bailey's (Jenna Dewan) ex-husband, Jason (Steve Kazee) following his escape from prison. While Jason is now dead, there are still threats lurking in the shadows that have yet to strike the team. While the aftermath of Bailey's husband's demise has been important, there were other threats associated with him the show hasn't addressed yet.

Speaking with Collider, however,Fillion confirmed that former lawyer Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) and criminal Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) will be coming back in The Rookie season 7. The series star addressed how well the show can establish big villains and bring them back later, teasing just how big an issue the...

Adam Sandler buried a little Easter egg in his birthday message for Drew Barrymore’s 50th. The “Happy Gilmore” and “Uncut Gems” star dropped a reference to “The Wedding Singer” in his video message that was shown on Friday’s episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

“I just want to tell you happy birthday from all of us. Fifty years you’ve been on this planet, making it so much better. We are so happy to have you on planet Earth. We all love you, we all think you’re the sweetest — everybody I know does,” Sandler said in his video, which was posted on the show’s Instagram feed. “Happy, happy birthday. All of us want to grow old with you, and we will. So you keep being you, Drew, and making us all feel excited about life.”

Sandler then pantomimed kissing the camera repeatedly and said, “From me and Jackie,...

Spoiler Alert: This interview contains spoilers from “The Mickey,” the Season 7, Episode 7 of ABC’s “The Rookie.”

Jenna Dewan never expected to stick around on “The Rookie.” But after Dewan signed on to the ABC police procedural for a multi-episode arc in 2021, the actress’ fun-loving firefighter Bailey Nune immediately made an impression by arriving at protagonist John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) front door wearing only a bath towel. (She had accidentally locked herself out of the neighboring property that she was house-sitting.)

For Dewan, the opportunity to play Fillion’s potential new love interest in the Season 3 finale felt, at most, like a welcome respite from the then-raging pandemic. But once creator Alexi Hawley noticed an immediate spark between Nolan and Bailey, he decided to promote Dewan to series regular in Season 4. Since then, Bailey’s storyline has evolved into a woman realizing that she can’t outrun her traumatic past.

The Rookie just kicked off its seventh season, and it's already back in full form. After a shortened Season 6, Season 7 promises many potential storylines to look forward to, especially after the major criminal escape at the end of the season. Not only is the diabolical Monica (Bridget Regan) on the loose (though currently in Argentina), but the Mid-Wilshire division is going to be facing off against the escaped Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) and Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee). It's a lot for the police offices to contend with, and it looks like there will be a lot on the plate for Mekia Cox's Nyla Harper, who, in recent seasons, has teamed up with Alyssa Diaz's Angela Lopez to form a detective partnership that's also grown into a close friendship.

Season 7 of The Rookie is officially here. After having survived Covid and the SAG/WGA strikes, the series is back and better than ever. The truncated Season 6 offered a lot in a short time, from the drama between Bailey (Jenna Dewan) and John Nolan's (Nathan Fillion) marriage to Monica (Bridget Regan) rising up the criminal pyramid, there was a lot to take in. The season ended on a twist as we saw Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) and Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee) escape from jail. On top of that threat, the precinct has a couple of new rookies. It seems that LIeutenant Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) has a lot on his plate this season and that's on top of his day-to-day duties as a leader and mentor to all of the police offices at the Mid-Wilshire Division.

The Rookie started Season 7 down one regular cop, so what happened to him? Was the exit on or off screen?

Caution: This article contains Spoilers for The Rookie Season 7 premiere

For those who forgot, Season 6 of The Rookie ended with the cops exposing how corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) had used shrink Dr. Blair London (Danielle Campbell) to get information on cops she could sell to criminals. That exposed scores of detectives to blackmail that hampered investigations.

Nolan worked with the FBI to track Monica down with a big firefight that had him shot in the hindquarters while Monica escaped. However, in the middle of the chaos, recurring criminal “frenemy” Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) escaped prison alongside Jason (Steve Kazee), the abusive drug-dealing ex-husband of Nolan’s wife, Bailey.

As Season 7 opened, the crew tried to track Jason and Oscar, but a drug house bust couldn’t turn them up.

Note: The following story contains spoilers from “The Rookie” Season 7, Episode 1.

Welcome back to the Mid-Wilshire Division and get ready for more sprawling shootouts in the streets of Los Angeles, “The Rookie” is back for Season 7. The action-packed, strike-shortened Season 6 brought a big Chenford breakup that broke fans’ hearts; a shady psychiatrist, Blair London (Danielle Campbell), who even got Tim to open up to her before her; and a devious turn for Monica (Bridget Regan), who emerged as the season’s big bad before escaping in the finale — but not before she and Blair got Mid-Wilshire tangled up in a corruption scandal that cost the lives of officers. Oh, and not only did recurring bad guy and fan-favorite Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) break out of prison, he brought Bailey’s criminal ex-husband Jason Wyler with him.

Naturally, Season 7 picks up in the thick of the action with the team hunting down Oscar and Jason.

With The Rookie Season 7 coming up right around the horizon, there's a lot of story to be told after the shortened Season 6. The season ended with a couple of twists that released a plethora of criminals out into the world. Chiefly among them includes the long-recurring villain Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) and the slimy Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee). Of course, we're no stranger to Oscar's manipulations, and while he's been a source of comedy in the past, he's proven more than once that he can be a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, after getting sent to jail, Jason is now out and seeking revenge against Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) and John Nolan (Nathan Fillion). It was quite a surprise when Jason first turned up as Bailey's never-before-mentioned ex, but we quickly learned why Bailey was so secretive about her abusive ex-husband.

The Rookie has been saving its biggest villains over the years instead of removing them from the board. Their cumulative power proved too much for the characters to handle in the Season 6 finale, and many got away. In Season 7, the show will deal with threats from all sides as Oscar (Matthew Glave), Jason (Steve Kazee), Monica (Bridget Regan), and whoever else pops up in the season tries to get a piece of the characters. Showrunner Alexi Hawley talked to TV Line about what viewers can expect in the upcoming season. He teased the biggest threat, saying,...

The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley has teased just how much of a threat Jason (Steve Kazee) poses to Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and Bailey (Jenna DeWan) in season 7 of the police procedural. The Rookie season 6 finale ended on a shocking cliffhanger, with Monica (Bridget Regan) breaking both Oscar (Matthew Glave) and Jason out of prison. The latter is Bailey's ex-husband, whose rage toward her means he's likely going to target her now that he's free. However, there's been no confirmation yet about when he's going to show up, and how his presence will impact Nolan and his new wife.

Speaking with TVLine, Hawley revealed how on-edge Nolan will be during the start of The Rookie season 7, which takes place just a few weeks after the end of season 6. The showrunner teased the protagonist will get blindsided by bad information about where Jason is, while he continues to prioritize Bailey's protection. He...

In just a few days, The Rookie will return on ABC after a long wait for fans.

Season 6 of The Rookie ended in May, which means the show will have been off the air for nearly eight months when Season 7 premieres.

The good news is that The Rookie Season 7 is moving forward full steam, with new episodes airing with little to no breaks until the finale in May.

As Monsters and Critics reported, the new season will bring more bad guys for the Mid-Wilshire team to take down.

The premiere episodes prove that fact more than ever, with two of the show’s most evil villains on the loose.

Oscar (Matthew Glave) and Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) ex-husband Jason (Steve Kazee) escaped prison and are roaming the streets of Los Angeles.

What is the synopsis and promo for The Rookie Season 7 premiere?

The Rookie picks up a few weeks after...

The Rookie season 7 trailer reveals a first look at the cast's action-packed return, with Nathan Fillion's John Nolan taking center stage once again. The Rookie season 6 finale featured a major cliffhanger, with Monica (Bridget Regan) letting both Oscar (Matthew Glave) and Bailey's (Jenna Dewan) ex-husband, Jason (Steve Kazee), out of prison. This sets the stage for more drama and danger in the upcoming episodes, albeit with some time for the group to prepare for the arrival of familiar threats. Even so, it appears season 7 will be dealing with the dangerous aftermath of what transpired.

Now, ABC (via TV Promos) has released the first trailer for The Rookie season 7, which sees Nolan and other cops on the LAPD return for another action-packed batch of episodes. The group, featuring Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox), and Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) among other cops preparing to raid a...

The Rookie season 7 showrunner Alexi Hawley confirms there will be two holiday episodes in the forthcoming season when new episodes start airing. The Rookie season 7 didn't come back during its usual Fall time slot on ABC, with the full season instead pushed back to 2025 to accommodate for new shows airing on the network. However, this also means the show can experiment with how it presents its new episodes, potentially in acknowledgment of the new stretch of time during which it's going to air.

Now, Hawley has confirmed on BlueSky that The Rookie season 7 will include "a Valentines Day and an April Fools episode," the two holiday specials now officially in the lineup. It appears the creators will be taking full advantage of its late start, promising fun episodes that will be thematic for the upcoming storyline. This also indicates plenty of surprises could happen during these particular episodes, though it's...

We finally know when The Rookie Season 7 is going to premiere! The ABC drama ended its sixth season back in May, but when it aired, we knew that we’d have to wait until 2025 for it to return. The good news? Season 7 should air uninterrupted as a result. Below, we’re taking a look at everything we know about The Rookie Season 7, from its cast to the premiere date and more. Where did The Rookie’s Season 6 finale leave off? By the end of the final, there are three major threats free: Monica (Bridget Regan), Oscar (Matthew Glave), and Jason (Steve Kazee), and it’s that last one, Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) ex-husband, who’s the one we should be most concerned about, executive producer Alexi Hawley told TV Insider. “I think Jason’s probably the most immediate problem,” he said. “I think obviously Jason is the one with the most specific,...