How long can The Rookie avoid replacing Captain Zoe Anderson’s role? Details explored

ABC's police procedural drama series The Rookie has bid farewell to many characters throughout its seven seasons, but Captain Zoe Anderson’s (Mercedes Mason) death in Season 1 remains the most tragic and shocking to date.

The Captain of the Mid-Wilshire division, Mason, was among the main cast of the show, but her character was shockingly killed off in Season 1 Episode 16 in front of then-rookie John Nolan. Anderson was an important character in the show, who not only led her LAPD team but also showed compassion towards them.

While Anderson's death was truly shocking, what's more shocking is that The Rookie has managed to avoid replacing Captain Zoe Anderson’s role throughout six seasons. Considering the Captain's position is one of the most important roles in the LAPD, it is highly unrealistic that the Mid-Wilshire division was not assigned another Captain after Anderson's death.

Recently, showrunner Alexi Hawley spoke at SDCC 2025 and addressed Anderson's death in The Rookie Season 1. He revealed that it was certainly hard to replace such an important role, and the show will only welcome a new Captain if the story specifically demands one.

More on this in our story.

The Rookie shockingly killed off Captain Zoe Anderson in Season 1

The Rookie's ensemble cast is certainly one of the most beloved by fans and has largely survived the procedural throughout its seven seasons. Given the profession of the characters, nobody is safe on the streets. However, the situation turned deadly for Captain Zoe Anderson, and she was tragically killed in Season 1.

The events leading up to her death in Episode 16, Greenlight, were put into motion when the Captain revealed that she would ride with rookie Nolan for the day. While Nolan was already dealing with the pressures of his new job, riding with the Captain brought all the more pressure for him. Things took a dark turn when Midas captured both Nolan and the Captain and tied them to a chair.

While Nolan tried his best to save his Captain when she was thrown into the swimming pool, Midas took a final shot at her neck, which turned fatal. Discussing his decision to kill Captain Zoe Anderson, showrunner Alexi Hawley said on X:

"We went back and forth about it in the writers' room. But it ultimately felt like the most dramatic and powerful way to impact our story...It's heartbreaking. But the stakes of this new life Nolan has chosen are all too real, and we can't run away from them creatively."

How long can The Rookie avoid replacing Captain Zoe Anderson?

The Rookie has now managed to avoid replacing Captain Zoe Anderson for six seasons, and the Mid-Wilshire team has continued to operate without a Captain. While Watch Commander Wade Grey is perfectly capable of leading the team and has shown excellent leadership skills in some of the most challenging cases, it is unusual for a LAPD precinct not to have a Captain.

While Hawley revealed that the show would not introduce a new Captain until the episode specifically demands it, Season 8 is the perfect opportunity for Mid-Wilshire to welcome their new Captain.

The Rookie Season 8, which is currently under production in Prague, is expanding its universe and exploring themes of International crimes and conspiracy. After Monica Stevens escaped in the previous season, the upcoming season will feature Nolan and his team going against the corrupt lawyer.

Since Monica has largely been an antagonist since Season 5, she has only grown more powerful and evil with time. With Season 8 focusing on her story, the team will likely need additional leadership in the form of a new Captain, and the procedural might finally replace Anderson's role in the upcoming season.

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