'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAIBAAAgEEAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFERIGISIxUf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEC/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMmwXUspktYhAqIpVCVbyYD2CfneqtzkJhcy8CAnM6BUHQ3SlCqf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When The Rookie first premiered in 2018, the idea of a 40-something man joining the LAPD as a rookie cop sounded like a recipe for either disaster or sitcom gold. Instead, what we got was a tightly written, emotionally rich procedural that mixed adrenaline-pumping action with surprisingly deep character arcs, and a dash of drama that we shamelessly ate up every week.
Led by Nathan Fillion’s endearing portrayal of John Nolan, The Rookie quickly proved it wasn’t just another cop show. It had heart, humor, and Tim Bradford looking stoic in every single scene. But most importantly, it had a cast of characters that made us either love or hate them, sometimes more than we expected.
From rookies-turned-veterans to hard-nosed training officers and scene-stealing side characters, we’re ranking the top 10 characters from The Rookie, from best cop heroes to the worst villains. Expect controversy, unexpected picks, and maybe a few Chenford arguments, because in the world of The Rookie, even fan favorites aren’t always above the law, or the ranking list.
Lucy Chen
Portrayed with warmth, grit, and emotional range by Melissa O’Neil, Lucy Chen is the kind of character that doesn’t just evolve, she blooms. What starts as a by-the-book rookie under Tim Bradford’s no-nonsense training rapidly develops into one of the strongest, most multi-faceted characters in The Rookie’s ensemble. Chen is a rare find in cop dramas, as she's not defined by trauma, nor built around a love interest, and she's not afraid to confront vulnerability. She is resilient, but not hardened, and it is this balance that makes her so incredibly intriguing to watch on-screen.
The slow-burn romance between Lucy and Sergeant Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) became the romantic heartbeat of the show. Their dynamic evolved from antagonistic banter to mutual respect to something undeniably profound. Tim seeing Lucy as a leader, and Lucy challenging Tim’s emotional walls, is what makes their relationship one of the show’s most satisfying long-game payoffs.
Beyond romance, Lucy’s rise through the LAPD, considering undercover operations, and experimenting with different career paths, shows a character constantly in motion and ever evolving. Lucy Chen is not only the show’s moral compass but also its emotional anchor. She brings the heart, the hustle, and the humanity in her portrayal. Whether she’s taking down bad guys, going undercover, or just trying to make sense of her path in the world, Lucy is the eyes and heart of the audience: lost, determined, and brave enough to dust herself off and try again.
Tim Bradford
He walks like steel, talks like protocol, and leads like a man who’s seen too much, while somehow still believing in the badge. Tim Bradford, played with impressive grit and gravitas by Eric Winter, is the undisputed favorite on this list. Bradford began as the archetypal “tough-as-nails” Training Officer, and was extremely hard to impress, and even harder to read. His early interactions with Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) were borderline hostile, but never unprofessional.
However, what separates Bradford from typical “tough guy” tropes is the remarkable evolution we’ve witnessed over the seasons. He’s vulnerable, fiercely loyal, and even quietly romantic. From the harrowing ordeal with his ex-wife Isabel and her battle with addiction, to his bond with Chen, Bradford consistently peels back layers that reveal a deep emotional complexity. He’s more than a cop; he’s the silent protector in a storm of crime. And let’s be honest, every precinct could use a Tim Bradford.
Jackson West
The legacy cop with a conscience, and with a moral compass that never faltered, Jackson West was the rookie everyone wanted to root for. Portrayed by Titus Makin Jr., West brought a rare combination of earnestness and integrity to the show. His tragic, unjust off-screen exit is still considered one of the worst creative decisions of the show, though the entire blame is not on the writers. As the son of LAPD’s Internal Affairs Commander, West had expectations towering over him like the city skyline. But instead of relying on privilege, he chose to prove himself the hard way and make his own reputation as a cop. West wasn’t just defined by his work ethic; he was a well-rounded character, and his genuineness made him shine despite there being an extraordinary number of other great characters in this show.
His friendship with Lucy Chen, his compassion for victims, and his willingness to challenge systemic problems within the LAPD made him a much-needed beacon of light. His confrontations with racist training officer Stanton in Season 3 were as instrumental as they were brave, and stand as a powerful indictment of institutional corruption. His death was a loss not just to the characters on-screen, but to the narrative soul of The Rookie. His ending felt rushed, well, because it was, and left the fandom pondering what could have become of the Rookie with the heart of gold.
Angela Lopez
Alyssa Diaz, playing Angela Lopez, gets pregnant in real life, and in a bold move, the writers in season 3 decided to write her pregnancy into the character of Angela, forever changing its trajectory. Still on active duty, Lopez steps out of a squad car, badge gleaming, expression unreadable, and simply owns the screen. Angela's storyline was already layered and significant in showcasing the realities of women, especially women of color, in male-dominated fields. However, the complexities introduced by the themes of motherhood and family made her character hit closer to home.
Lopez’s journey as a Latina woman climbing the ranks of the LAPD is a testament to resilience. Whether she was chasing down suspects or sparring in the interrogation room, Lopez never compromised her identity or strength. One of her defining arcs came with her tumultuous battle against Sandra de La Cruz (Camille Guaty), a ruthless cartel queenpin. After being abducted in Season 3 and 4, Lopez, instead of simply escaping, turned the tables and exacted justice like a vigilante in heels. What’s incredible about Lopez is that she’s not portrayed as flawless, wrestling with the guilt of career vs. motherhood, marital stress, and the dangers of her profession, is what makes her real and truly remarkable.
John Nolan
Giving credit where it’s due, the show The Rookie wouldn't exist without its 'Daddy Cop,' Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan. When we first meet Nolan in the pilot, he’s a 40-something divorcee turned police rookie, and the concept felt dangerously close to a gimmick. However, Fillion infused Nolan with such earnest charm, good humor, and compelling humility that he quickly evolved beyond the “midlife crisis with a badge” trope. He’s not the best shot, nor the strongest, and he certainly isn’t the fastest, but Nolan’s strength is in his empathy. He listens, learns, and adapts.
Whether it's talking down a volatile suspect or breaking protocol to save a life, he shows that instinct and experience (even simple life lessons) matter. Still, he’s a divisive figure. While some love his optimism, others critique his penchant for playing the “white knight,” which gets a little repetitive from time to time. Though John is the main character of the show and is essential to the plot, the supporting characters often drive the emotional plot and steal the screens and hearts of the audience. Still, Nolan remains the show’s beating heart, uplifting the rest of the ensemble cast with his warm, fatherly presence.
Oscar Hutchinson
Played with eccentric brilliance by Matthew Glave, Oscar Hutchinson is, hands down, the most unexpectedly delightful recurring character in The Rookie. A convicted felon and self-proclaimed “entrepreneur,” Oscar somehow straddles the line between comic relief and chaotic wildcard. Introduced as a clever, sharp-tongued inmate with an answer for everything, Hutchinson could’ve easily been a forgettable character, but The Rookie leaned into his unpredictability and made him a mainstay for all 6 seasons of the show. His numerous attempts to manipulate law enforcement while somehow being helpful have led to iconic moments of moral ambiguity.
Despite being a thorn in their side, characters like Nolan and Harper can’t help but grudgingly admire his shrewdness. There’s an odd chemistry between him and Nolan that brings out Hutchinson’s almost human side. Oscar is a rare breed in police dramas, and hence ranks higher on this list. Hilarious, cunning, and strangely endearing, he's a criminal who doesn't get reduced to a caricature. In many ways, he represents the grey area in law enforcement and serves as a reminder that not all bad guys are monsters.
Abril Rodas
Every great cop show needs a truly chilling villain, and The Rookie delivers that in Gigi Zumbado's portrayal of Abril Rodas. As the elusive right-hand woman and eventual successor of La Fiera’s drug cartel, Abril doesn’t just appear, but haunts scenes with a quiet intensity. Abril is a viper, and her presence in the lives of Lopez and Wesley takes the story to some of its darkest and tensest places.
Abril isn’t a foil; she’s a force of nature, and unlike most TV villains, her intelligence matches her brutality. Her cold efficiency makes her terrifying, but what elevates her is the depth behind her motives. She’s not a one-note villain; her past gives her purpose and drives her plot forward. Her final arc is satisfying yet melancholy, leaving viewers both relieved and in awe of her power. Abril is the show’s most quietly menacing adversary. She commands power with presence alone, proving that true danger doesn’t have to be loud.
Doug Stanton
Played by Brandon Routh, Doug Stanton is arguably the most infuriatingly realistic character in The Rookie. Stanton is a veteran cop who masks his racial profiling and violent tendencies under the guise of “old-school policing.” His partnership with rookie Jackson West (Titus Makin Jr.) becomes a searing examination of systemic racism in law enforcement. The dynamic between them comes to a head in a gut-wrenching scene where Stanton abandons West during a call, knowingly putting him in life-threatening danger.
It’s one of The Rookie’s boldest storytelling choices, forcing audiences to face uncomfortable truths in its raw form. Routh’s performance is chilling precisely because of its grounded nature. Doug isn’t a cartoon villain, but a very real, very terrifying testament to what happens when accountability disappears and prejudice festers. Stanton isn't likable, but a necessary vehicle to deliver a brutal reality check and critique the very realities of police brutality. His arc forces conversations and serves as a reminder that villains in uniform are sometimes more dangerous and harder to spot.
Nick Armstrong
If every good cop show needs a twist, The Rookie delivered a masterstroke in the form of Nick Armstrong, a seasoned detective who started as a mentor and ended as a menace. Played with unsettling charisma by Harold Perrineau, Armstrong’s fall from grace is one of the most devastating turns in the series, which left fans reeling and their trust irrevocably broken. Armstrong first appears in Season 2 as a calm, confident, and affable figure. He’s the kind of cop who oozes "good guy energy," which makes his eventual betrayal all the more cruel. John Nolan latched onto Armstrong like a lifeline during his first steps into detective work. And for a while, it seemed like Armstrong would be that classic mentor figure. But then came the bombshell.
The Season 2 finale reveals Armstrong as the mole, deeply embedded with crime boss Serj Derian, feeding him intel and manipulating LAPD investigations from the inside. In one unforgettable sequence, Nolan discovers a stash of burner phones and cash hidden in Armstrong’s wall, realizing, too late, who he’s trusted.
To add insult to injury, Armstrong frames Nolan as the mole leading to the cliffhanger ending to the season. Armstrong's betrayal isn't just personal for Nolan, it’s thematic. Shattering the show's perception of right and wrong, and echoing the uncomfortable truth that corruption can wear a kind face, a reassuring voice, and a partner’s badge. While Armstrong didn’t last beyond the early Season 3 arc, his impact echoes loudly and stands tall as one of the biggest deceptions and acts of villainy in the history of this show.
Rosalind Dyer
Trending
Rosalind Dyer is not your average serial killer. Played with icy finesse by Annie Wersching, Rosalind is the embodiment of psychological terror. Every word she utters is a mind game, every glance a threat. She's The Rookie’s answer to Hannibal Lecter; terrifyingly composed and utterly in control. First introduced in Season 2, Rosalind becomes a long-running adversary to Nolan and the team. Her crimes are disturbing, but it’s her ability to manipulate from behind bars that earns her this spot on the list. She plays cops like chess pieces and always seems ten steps ahead.
Her death in Season 5 was as shocking as her debut. An abrupt, brutal ending that left fans stunned and unsure. However, even after her demise, the ripples of her actions are still felt, as she leaves behind a trail of dead and a legacy of dread. Rosalind is terrifying, however, her increasingly theatrical storylines bordered on melodrama in later seasons. Still, Wersching’s chilling performance cements Rosalind as The Rookie’s most formidable, cold-blooded evil mastermind.
Reply
