One series regular is sadly leaving The Rookie in season 7, but the show can make up for their absence by bringing back some characters who haven’t been seen in a while. A handful of the ABC police procedural’s cast members have come and gone over the years, starting with Mercedes Mason as Zoe Andersen in the middle of The Rookie season 1. Perhaps the biggest actor departure, though, was Titus Makin Jr. as Jackson West in the season 4 premiere. Unfortunately, one more series regular will join the likes of Mason and Makin Jr. in The Rookie season 7.
Tru Valentino’s Aaron Thorsen will exit The Rookie ahead of season 7, meaning the season 6 finale is his final appearance. Although Aaron is gone for now, that doesn’t mean he’s gone for good. Per TV Insider, Valentino addressed his exit on his Instagram stories in August 2024. The actor ended his statement with, “You never know who may pop back up in the Mid-Wilshire Precinct. Until then, 7 Adam 19, this is Officer Thorsen, over and out!” So, the door is open for Aaron to return. If he doesn’t, though, 10 other characters should appear in The Rookie season 7.
10. Grace Sawyer
Yes, John Nolan is married now and he and Bailey Nune deserve to be very happy together. However, that doesn’t mean that one of Nolan’s previous love interests in The Rookie — Grace Sawyer, played by Ali Larter — shouldn’t return in season 7. Grace was arguably one of Nolan’s best girlfriends. If he didn’t end up with Bailey, then Nolan definitely should have ended up with Grace as their story (they dated in college before reuniting during their adult years) was quite heartwarming and Grace is a wonderful person. However, Nolan and Grace weren’t meant to be.
The Rookie characters visit the hospital all the time (where Grace works), making it easy for the writers to bring Grace back into the fold in season 7. Grace’s last appearance was in the season 2 finale of The Rookie, and it’s time for her to return. Even if Grace only pops in for an episode or two, it would be interesting to see what happened to her after breaking up with Nolan. Grace could easily be a recurring character, though, as her job opens up many more story opportunities (that the writers should take advantage of).
9. Pete Nolan
Perhaps Pete Davidson’s Pete Nolan in The Rookie shouldn’t be a main character, but a random appearance every now and then wouldn’t hurt. For those who need a refresher, Pete is Nolan’s half-brother he didn’t know existed until season 2. Davidson has only appeared in three episodes of the ABC police procedural, with his last coming in season 4. So, it’s time for Pete to return to The Rookie.
The writers can make up for Pete’s absence in The Rookie season 6 by bringing him back for at least one episode of season 7.
Pete doesn’t live in Los Angeles, and given his lifestyle, it makes sense why he isn’t a consistent presence in Nolan’s life. However, Pete arguably should have been in The Rookie’s 100th episode since it centered around his brother’s wedding. It was frankly strange that he wasn’t there. But, the writers can make up for Pete’s absence in The Rookie season 6 by bringing him back for at least one episode of season 7.
8. Ellroy Basso
The Rookie has featured many famous and talented guest stars over the course of its six (soon-to-be seven) seasons, including Alan Tudyk. Tudyk, who is most known for his roles in Firefly and Star Wars, stars as Ellroy Basso, a crime scene cleaner, in the ABC TV show. He has only been in two episodes, with his most recent appearance coming in the season 4 finale of The Rookie. It has been two seasons since viewers last saw Ellroy and season 7 would be the perfect time for fans to get an update on Tudyk’s character.
Sara Rue’s Nell Forester, Ellroy’s girlfriend, was briefly in The Rookie season 6, but Ellroy wasn’t. Perhaps another episode featuring Nolan teaming up with Ellroy once more is in order. After all, The Rookie season 7 promises to have more standalone episodes, and one of them could revolve around a case that calls for Ellroy’s expertise.
7. Genny Bradford
Peyton List stars as Genny Bradford, Tim’s sister, in The Rookie. Genny was introduced in season 4 as she was selling her and her brother’s family home before returning in season 5 when she moved to Los Angeles after her divorce. So, it stands to reason that Genny could be a recurring character in the series (if List’s schedule allows for it, of course). She’s not involved in law enforcement, but The Rookie has plenty of the main characters’ family members who pop in and out of the show. Genny could be one of them.
6. Skip Tracer Randy
It’s always a good time when Skip Tracer Randy drops in, and the show might need some of his light-hearted and humorous personality in The Rookie season 7. Flula Borg’s character was introduced in season 4, but it took a few episodes for him to physically appear in the ABC crime drama. Since then, Skip Tracer Randy has been in only a couple of episodes, with one appearance in season 5 and another in season 6 at Nolan and Bailey’s wedding.
Borg should return in one episode of The Rookie season 7 to check off his yearly appearance. Similar to many other characters on this list, Skip Tracer Randy is someone who shouldn’t be a series regular, as their bit would get boring and annoying if exposed to it too much. However, one episode a season for Borg is more than enough screen time for Skip Tracer Randy in The Rookie.
5. Ashley
Numerous Firefly and Castle actors have made cameos in The Rookie since its premiere and Molly C. Quinn is one of them. As Castle fans know, Quinn starred as Alexis Castle, the daughter of Nathan Fillion’s character, in the 2009 crime mystery series. Many years later, Quinn joined the cast of The Rookie to play Ashley, Oscar Hutchinson’s daughter.
One would think Ashley would be the first person Oscar wants to see.
The Rookie season 3 introduced Quinn’s character when Ashley and her then-boyfriend planned a kidnapping con. Police collected Ashley’s DNA and tested it, which is when Ashley found out that Oscar, a recurring villain in The Rookie, was her father. Ashley went to prison for her crimes but was released in season 5. Unfortunately for Ashley, she got a kidney infection and had to have a transplant (from her father). Now that Oscar is out of prison following The Rookie season 6 finale, it would make sense if Ashley returned. One would think Ashley would be the first person Oscar wants to see.
4. Elijah Stone
To be clear, The Rookie shouldn’t bring Brandon Jay McLaren’s Elijah Stone back in season 7 to be the main antagonist. However, Elijah’s story isn’t finished, and it’s time for his villainous arc to get closure. The last time fans saw Elijah was when he was sent to prison, where he met his cellmate, Oscar Hutchinson. The scene between the two notable The Rookie villains suggested they would team up to get their revenge on the main characters (i.e., Nolan, Angela Lopez, etc.). But, that never happened.
Now, Oscar has escaped from prison, and Elijah is assumingly still incarcerated. If The Rookie season 7 includes one episode featuring Elijah breaking out of prison and seeking revenge, his story could finally get closure. However, Elijah only needs one episode to do so, which should be easy given that The Rookie season 7 has 18 episodes.
3. Ben McRee
Heading into The Rookie season 7, some fans might have forgotten who Ben McRee is because he has been missing for so long. Ben was first seen in the ABC police procedural’s pilot — he was Nolan’s friend and college roommate who allowed the new rookie cop to stay in his guest house when Nolan first moved to Los Angeles. The two were seemingly great friends, but Ben hasn’t been around since The Rookie season 3.
Nolan eventually moved out and bought his own house, making it harder to incorporate Ben into the story. Nevertheless, Ben could still make an appearance occasionally, seeing as he and Nolan were best friends. Ben didn’t even attend Nolan’s wedding, though, which was strange. Ultimately, it would be a nice surprise to see Currie Graham reprise his The Rookie role in season 7, even if only for one scene or two.
2. Simone Clark
Sadly, ABC canceled The Rookie: Feds after only one season. While the spinoff of The Rookie struggled to find its footing, it had potential, thanks to its main character. Niecy Nash’s Simone Clark was unlike any other fictional law enforcement officer, which is why her character was so intriguing. However, Simone never got a chance to truly shine as the network nixed her show. Nash could always reprise her character in The Rookie, though.
One of the best parts of Nash’s The Rookie: Feds character was her chemistry with others, especially with Nolan. Simone and Nolan met during The Rookie: Feds’ backdoor pilot in The Rookie season 4, and they have had a fun dynamic ever since. So, even though ABC canceled the spinoff, that doesn’t mean that The Rookie: Feds characters can’t join The Rookie cast. Simone could easily return in season 7 (if Nash’s schedule allows her to) and team up with Nolan once again.
- Jackson West
Jackson West’s return is probably the most unrealistic compared to the other missing characters, but one should never say never. Titus Makin Jr.’s Jackson left The Rookie during the season 4 premiere when he was killed off the show. La Fiera’s men captured Jackson after he tried to help Angela, and they shot him. Jackson’s death is undoubtedly one of the saddest exits in The Rookie as he was one of the three rookies at the start of the series and had close relationships with many other characters. So, seeing Jackson again would likely bring some joy to many people.
Makin Jr. could always reprise his role in a dream sequence or archival footage (similar to Zoe’s season 3 appearance).
The Rookie isn’t a supernatural or science fiction TV show, meaning Jackson can’t come back from the dead. However, Makin Jr. could always reprise his role in a dream sequence or archival footage (similar to Zoe’s season 3 appearance). Whatever the case, Jackson is probably gone for good, but that won’t stop one from hoping that he will appear in The Rookie season 7.
