Warning: this article contains spoilers for The Rookie. When it comes to TV shows notorious for killing off major characters, Game of Thrones might be the first that comes to mind. However, The Rookie, a hit police drama, is quickly becoming a contender. First aired in 2018, The Rookie continues to captivate audiences even years after its debut.
The show features a stellar cast including Nathan Fillion from The Suicide Squad and Jenna Dewan in the later seasons. According to IMDb, the show’s synopsis states: “Starting over isn’t easy, especially for John Nolan [Fillion], who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of joining the LAPD. As their oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from those who see him as just a walking midlife crisis.”
Interestingly, The Rookie explores the unique aspect of the LAPD, which is one of the few police departments in the US that accepts new recruits over the age of 37. Despite being around for a few years, with another season expected in 2025, the series remains highly popular. “Am on the last season, I don’t want it to end,” one fan recently expressed on social media.
“The Rookie is one of the better cop shows on TV right now,” another viewer commented on IMDb last year. “I have to say I’ve really enjoyed The Rookie even more than I thought I would,” shared a third enthusiastic fan.
However, devoted fans of The Rookie will recall a particularly somber moment in the first season that has left many viewers emotional. In a shocking turn of events, Captain Zoe Andersen is killed, a rare occurrence for main characters, especially in the debut season. Andersen’s death, caused by a gunshot to the neck during a hostage situation with a gang, deeply affected the fans.
Even after five subsequent seasons, the impact of Captain Andersen’s death lingers. On a Reddit thread dedicated to The Rookie, a viewer shared, “I am still not over Captain Andersen’s death! It has been so many seasons already, and I still hate it. Even when I do The Rookie rewatches, I always skip over her last scenes where she is killed.”
Another fan expressed admiration for Andersen’s character, describing her as “probably one the most well-written female leader characters I have ever seen in any show,” and confessed to being ‘heartbroken’ by her exit. “Andersen went out like a badass,” commented a YouTube user. “I was not expecting any of that. It broke me for sure.”
All six seasons of The Rookie are available to stream on Hulu, allowing both new and old fans to experience the intense, emotional journey of the characters.