The Rookie’screatorAlexi Hawleyhas become very good at getting guest stars for his series, even gettingNathan Filliontoguest in the finale ofThe Recruit, his other series. However, it was his flagship series that started it all, with a plethora of incredible guests littering the 98 episodes so far in the hitABCseries.
One of the biggest aids in their quest for guests is the setting of the series - Los Angeles - which provides easy reason for celebrity drop-ins. Another has been the star of the show itself, whose long career in TV and film has also allowed him to work with a long list of other great actors that are almost all willing to come play cops and robbers with him for an episode. Including some of the biggest stars today,The Rookie’s version of the usual suspects is one that many other network series can’t come close to matching.
10Eric Weddle and Robert Woods
Many of the guest appearances onThe Rookieallow actors to come in for an episode and be the criminal caught by Nolan’s LAPD, but it’s also a show that takes place in LA, so they also have plenty of people play themselves. That’s includedJake Tapper,Kelly Clarkson, and more. In season 2, Los Angeles Rams playersEric WeddleandRobert Woodsmade a hilarious appearance that also made them part ofThe Rookiecanon.
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9Emily Deschanel
When the audience first met John Nolan in the pilot, he talked about sticking it out in his strained marriage until his son went to college. The son was introduced right away, but his mother took a lot longer to arrive, coming in season 3.
Emily Deschanel, who many know for her long run in another crime procedural,Bones, plays Nolan’s long estranged ex. Their son Henry is forced to undergo emergency heart surgery after collapsing and Sarah arrives to be there for their boy. It was a brief meeting, but she gave much more depth to Nolan’s character.
8Joel McHale
Early in the series, guest stars provided an easy procedural entry point for Nolan and his coworkers to find conflicts.Joel McHalewas one of the highest profile names to ever end up on the show and got an episode to let his signature sarcasm fly.
In episode 17, called “The Shake Up,” Nolan and Bradford are assigned to protect a border patrol agent-turned-trafficker, played by McHale. It’s fun watching Nolan and Bradford have to deal with him until the cartel ambushes, having tracked him with GPS.
7Felicia Day
Felicia Day’s star rose in 2007 with her seriesThe Guildand skyrocketed when the 2008 writers strike ledJoss Whedonto createDr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Day starred as Penny and Whedon’s formerFireflylead Fillion played Captain Hammer.
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The Rookiewould make a fantastic reunion for the former costars, with Day appearing in season 1. She played Dr. Morgan, a CDC specialist that’s brought in to brief the team on infectious diseases amidst a terrorist threat on Los Angeles. The pair was a clear nod to the convention fans that love them both.
6Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas
Back in 2019, ABC planned a week-long theme called “Cast From the Past” that would go across many of their series. The idea was to boost viewership by bringing in specific guest stars for cast reunions in new shows. This led to twoCastlereunions between Fillion and costarsSeamus DeverandJon Huertas.
Dever would appear as Chaz Bachman, a lawyer who Nolan arrests for buying drugs. Huertas, who also returned to the show to direct, played an undercover DHS agent. It was enjoyable to see Nolan as the cop this time and Dever on the other side for once.
5Frankie Muniz
UnlessBryan Cranston’sMalcolm in the Middlerevivalcomes to pass, it’s unlikely the world will seeFrankie Munizstar in another series.The Rookieprovided a brief chance for fans of the former child actor to see him acting once again, following his semi-retirement from acting that’s led to a burgeoning racing career.
Muniz' character shares some similarities with the actor himself. He plays Corey Harris, a child actor who used his fame to build a cult following that accepts him as their prophet Jedediah. He unfortunately didn’t make it out of the episode alive, murdered by a serial killer’s accomplice, but it’s great to see Muniz acting again.
4Molly Quinn
For eight seasons onCastle, Nathan Fillion played father toMolly Quinn, who grew up before his eyes.The Rookiewas a chance for the two to reunite, however it was not the loving relationship fans were used to seeing.
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Quinn plays Ashley, who leaves DNA evidence at the scene of her failed con that reveals she’s the long-lost daughter of recurringRookiecriminal Oscar Hutchinson. It was fun to see her play the daughter again and even more fun to see her turn expectations on their head by being the bad one for once.
3Pete Davidson
Nathan Fillion andPete Davidsonmet a quick fate at thebeginning ofThe Suicide Squad, but the meeting between actors led to Fillion asking Davidson to come in for a guest spot. Pete would keep his first name, playing Pete Nolan - half-brother to Fillion’s John.
Pete is the polar opposite of his brother, although they are able to bond over the shared pain that their father caused them. John helped Pete step up to take responsibility when he gets his girlfriend pregnant, unlike their dad. There ended up being no baby, but it was just one of a few sweet moments between the long-lost brothers. It’s feels like a shock that they were able to get Pete at the height of his notoriety and his appearances don’t disappoint.
2Flula Borg
The German actorFlula Borg, who many know from thePitch Perfectfilms and spinoff series, has been a frequent guest onThe Rookiesince season 4, playing skip tracer Randy. The role has grown over the course of the show to the point where his first on-screen appearance was a treat for viewers.
Initially, Nyla recommends Randy to Nolan in “Breakdown.” Nolan later calls Randy, who was only heard on the phone in his first two appearances before finally arriving on-screen in “Long Shot.” The Randy-centric episode featured Nyla and Nolan hilariously aiding Randy on his first bounty mission. Randy appearances are a treat that will hopefully continue, as long as Flula’s schedule allows.
1Alan Tudyk
Nathan Fillion andAlan Tudyk’s deep friendship in real life has led to them popping up in each other’s shows for years since they wereFireflyshipmates Mal and Wash. Fillion has appeared in Tudyk’sCon ManandResident Alienwhile Tudyk was able to return the favor as a friend to John Nolan as well.
The pair get to be friends in both episodes together, first meeting when Tudyk’s Elroy arrives to clean a crime scene of Nolan’s. Elroy has a connection withSara Rue’s police dispatch character and Nolan is able to help wingman. It’s a perfect encapsulation of one of fandom’s favorite bromances.
