Who plays Elijah on The Rookie? Actor's career and notable projects, explored

When you think of unforgettable TV villains, Elijah Stone in The Rookie deserves a spot on the list. Played with unnerving precision by Brandon Jay McLaren, Stone stormed onto the scene in Season 4 and immediately became one of the show’s most intriguing adversaries. Calm, intelligent, and terrifyingly calculated, he isn’t the loudest villain in the room. He is the one who makes you lean forward, waiting for his next move.

The Rookie itself has been a fan favorite since its October 2018 premiere. From its foundation, based on LAPD’s oldest rookie, Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan, the series blurs action, character-driven drama, and a gritty look at cop work in LA. Elijah Stone’s entry, though, brought a completely different level of grit to the series, heightening stakes for all in the Mid-Wilshire division.

By Season 5’s finale, Elijah was in prison, plotting revenge. His absence in Season 6 and 7 was noticeable, and fans have since been speculating about his return. With how his last scene hinted at revenge, the conversation of a return has only increased.

Now that The Rookie is set to return with Season 8, everyone including fans, creators, and folks on social mediais are buzzing about whether Elijah Stone will make a comeback.

Brandon Jay McLaren: Soccer fields to screens

So, who is the man responsible for bringing Elijah Stone to life? Brandon Jay McLaren was born on October 15, 1981, in Vancouver, Canada. Originally on a soccer scholarship at the University at Albany, he pivoted from athletics to acting, a decision that set him on a path to becoming one of TV’s most versatile performers.

His breakout happened in 2005 when he wore the attire as Jack Landors, SPD’s Red Ranger in Power Rangers S.P.D. That action and family genre made him a familiar face to young individuals, but McLaren was not going to stay in a single lane.

Over the years, he has proven himself across genres. In Graceland (2013–2015), he played undercover agent Dale Jakes, a role that earned him the Golden Maple Award for Best Actor. Ransom (2017–2019) cast him as Oliver Yates, a psychological profiler. Both characters showcased his talent for layered, believable performances.

He has shown lighter sides, such as in Disney+’s Turner & Hooch (2021), and darker sides, such as in Netflix’s Firefly Lane. More recently, he has been in Snowfall (2022–2023), playing Beau Buckley, and in The Cleaning Lady (2024), playing Jeremy Dolan.

Elijah Stone might be the flavor-of-the-month credit on McLaren’s resume, but the guy has been everywhere. Remember Tucker & Dale vs. Evil? The 2010 cult horror comedy snagged the SXSW Audience Award. Also, let’s not ignore his stint in She’s the Man back in 2006 - every millennial rom-com fan remembers that one.

He has also been in Dead Before Dawn in 2012 and then Plush in 2013. Plus, he executive-produced and starred in Almost Anything (2015). So, McLaren is crafting this creative path that is way bigger than just memorizing lines.

Then there is Elijah Stone in The Rookie, the darkest role that he has played so far.

The making of Elijah Stone in The Rookie

When Elijah Stone first appeared in Season 4 of The Rookie, he seemed like just another gang leader. However, episode by episode, his true nature emerged, as a strategist who thrived on manipulation. Whether destabilizing rival gangs or ensnaring law enforcement in his schemes, Stone operated with unnerving precision.

His interactions with other characters, notably defense attorney Wesley Evers and Detective Angela Lopez, illustrated just how menacing he could be. Elijah was not a thug. He was a player who was three moves ahead at all times.

In a memorable storyline, The Naked and the Dead, he was shown in the process of orchestrating a gang war and manipulating things from behind the curtain.

McLaren’s performance made the character memorable. By remaining understated in his characterization, he steered clear of cliches and brought an uncomfortably realistic villain. That latent menace has lingered in audiences’ minds well after the credits rolled.

For a show that has been rolling for seven seasons, The Rookie still feels alive, mainly because of gems like Elijah Stone. He didn’t just barge in as another villain. He flipped the energy in the room.

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Remember when they finally locked him up in Season 5? Nobody actually believed that would be the end of it. Now everyone is on edge, waiting to see if Season 8 lets him shake things up again. You have to hand it to Brandon Jay McLaren for this one. The man took what should have been your average bad guy and somehow made him a legend.

Also read: The Rookie Season 8: Eric Winter's behind-the-scenes has fans talking, here's all about it

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