When The Rookie premiered in 2018, viewers were introduced to three officers who quickly became the heart of the series: John Nolan, Lucy Chen and Jackson West. Each character entered the LAPD as a rookie, but their journeys took very different directions over the years.
With The Rookie now heading into Season 9, longtime viewers may be wondering what happened to the original rookies and where they stand today.
John Nolan
John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion, is the only one of the original three rookies who has remained a central character throughout the entire series.
Nolan joined the LAPD later in life after deciding to completely change his career. His age made him unusual among the department’s rookies, but his previous life experience eventually became one of his biggest strengths.
Over the seasons, Nolan progressed far beyond his original rookie status. He became an experienced officer, took on greater responsibilities and eventually became someone capable of helping guide newer officers.
His journey remains one of the central stories of The Rookie, and he continues to be part of the series heading into Season 9.
Lucy Chen
Lucy Chen, played by Melissa O’Neil, also remains one of the show’s major characters.
Lucy began the series as a rookie officer who was determined to prove herself. She trained under Tim Bradford and gradually became one of the LAPD’s more confident and capable officers.
Her professional development has been matched by her complicated relationship with Tim.
The two eventually became one of the show’s most popular couples, although their relationship has gone through plenty of difficult moments.
By the end of Season 8, Lucy and Tim had reached another major point in their relationship after becoming engaged. However, the season ended with the two being abducted, leaving viewers with another major cliffhanger heading into Season 9.
Lucy is therefore still very much part of The Rookie and remains one of the show’s most important original characters.
Jackson West
Jackson West, played by Titus Makin Jr., had the most dramatic ending of the original rookie trio.
Jackson was Angela Lopez’s rookie and quickly became an important part of the series. His character was particularly involved in storylines concerning police reform, racial discrimination and the experiences of Black officers within the LAPD.
Titus Makin Jr. ultimately left The Rookie after Season 3. Jackson’s departure was written into the story through his death at the beginning of Season 4.
His death was a major turning point for the show and deeply affected Angela, who had trained him.
Although Jackson is no longer part of the present-day story, his character remains an important part of the show’s early history.
What Happened to Talia Bishop?
Talia Bishop wasn’t one of the three rookie officers, but she was an important part of the original LAPD lineup.
Played by Afton Williamson, Bishop was John Nolan’s original training officer during Season 1.
Bishop left the series after the first season and was replaced in Nolan’s storyline by Nyla Harper.
Williamson announced that she would not return for Season 2 after making allegations concerning her experience on the production. A subsequent investigation did not substantiate unlawful behavior. Her departure nevertheless became one of the show’s earliest major cast changes.
What Happened to Tim Bradford?
Tim Bradford was not one of the original rookies, but he was one of the most important characters connected to them.
Played by Eric Winter, Tim was Lucy Chen’s training officer and initially had a very demanding relationship with her.
Over time, their professional relationship developed into a friendship and eventually a romance.
Tim remains on The Rookie and is now far removed from the role he had when the series began. His relationship with Lucy has also become one of the show’s defining storylines.
Why Did the Original The Rookie Cast Change So Much?
One of the biggest reasons the cast has changed is that The Rookie has always been designed around the idea of officers progressing through their careers.
The characters who started as rookies eventually became experienced officers. That naturally created opportunities for new rookies and younger officers to enter the story.
Jackson’s death and Bishop’s departure were the biggest early changes, while Nolan and Chen continued to develop alongside newer characters.
The show has consequently evolved considerably from the series that premiered in 2018.
The Original Rookies Still Matter to The Rookie
Even though the LAPD lineup has changed dramatically, the original rookies remain an important part of the show’s identity.
Nolan has gone from being the oldest rookie in the department to one of its experienced officers. Lucy has developed into a confident officer while navigating her complicated relationship with Tim. Jackson’s death remains one of the show’s most emotional storylines.
The constant introduction of new officers has allowed The Rookie to evolve without completely abandoning the characters who made the series popular in the first place.
And with Season 9 ahead, Nolan and Chen’s stories are continuing—meaning at least two members of the original rookie class are still helping shape the future of The Rookie.
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