The Rookie, the ABC police drama, follows John Nolan and his rookies. The series combines crime-solving with personal character stories. One character who has stood out over the years has been Wesley Evers, played by Shawn Ashmore. As The Rookie prepares for its eighth season, showrunner Alexi Hawley has said that there might be something big waiting for Wesley in the next season.
Wesley Evers first appeared in the show's second season. He began as a skilled defense attorney who often found himself at odds with the police. Over time, Wesley made a shift to the district attorney's office, taking on the role of assistant district attorney. As The Rookie gears up for Season 8, it looks like Wesley could be stepping into an even more powerful position.

Wesley Evers might have a major arc in The Rookie
In season 7, the storyline introduced a political race for district attorney. While several people entered the race, Wesley was presented with an unexpected but major opportunity. There’s a real possibility he could run for DA, giving him the authority he has wanted for a long time to bring reform to the justice system.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley recently spoke with TV Line and gave some insight into the writers' early plans. Though the writers’ room had just started meeting in April, Hawley said Wesley’s arc is already being discussed. He said,
"The writers room literally started yesterday [April 14], but we’re sniffing around a bit of where to take that story,"
Hawley continued,
"It would certainly make sense for Wesley, who was a defense attorney and believes very strongly in righting the wrongs of an injust justice system. He’s an assistant DA, they have not a ton of power, so becoming the DA would give him an ability to shake things up. So, we’re definitely kicking the tires on that idea.”
Throughout The Rookie, Wesley has stood out for his strong values. His time as a defense attorney showed his commitment to justice. As an assistant DA, he’s continued that mission but has faced limits in how much change he can bring. Running for district attorney could give him the authority to make a real difference.
Hawley was asked about Evers taking the next big step in his career in a past interview with Collider, and he said,
"I mean, you're not wrong to think that. I think there's a good possibility. I think I've definitely been thinking about it. I'm a little allergic to politics in storytelling, just because I feel like it sometimes could just be the least interesting storyline. But I do think that we're going to make a run at trying to figure out how to — because look, I mean, Wesley started as a defense attorney. He feels very passionately about trying to correct the injustice in the justice system. He joined the DA's office to try and make a difference, but being an assistant district attorney has a lot less power to affect change than being the DA. I think there's definitely some allure there. I think we're definitely talking about that, sure."
Fans of The Rookie have followed Wesley's journey from lawyer to prosecutor, and now possibly to candidate for DA. His storyline in Season 8 has the potential to be one of the show’s most important arcs. No matter what happens, Wesley Evers is most likely stepping into the spotlight and into a role that could change a lot.
The Rookie is streaming on Hulu.
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