‘The Rookie’ Boss Teases Bailey’s Move to D.C. ‘Takes a Dark Turn’
Preview
What To Know
- The Rookie Season 8 sees Nolan and Bailey giving a long-distance marriage a try.
- Showrunner Alexi Hawley explains Bailey’s move to D.C. and teases what’s next.
Earlier this season, Nathan Fillion told us that he likes that Nolan and Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) are a stable couple on The Rookie. Well, that’s certainly been tested as of late, with the two seeing how they can manage a long-distance relationship. She was offered a job with a think tank at the Pentagon, but he didn’t want to move to D.C. Though originally she had said it had to be a unanimous decision, she ultimately ended up making the move across the U.S. on her own.
When TV Insider recently spoke to showrunner Alexi Hawley, we had to find out what was behind the decision for that storyline as well as what’s coming up there. It didn’t have to do with Dewan’s schedule. Rather, “It was something that I wanted to do. Part of the storytelling we’ve been doing with Bailey since the beginning is this sort of, as Nolan called it, pathological need to move and to keep reinventing herself and to keep challenging herself, which is based in the trauma of her marriage to Jason and everything like that and the effects that it’s had on the relationship,” he explained. “And so ultimately I thought it was important — Nolan has always been so supportive, even when she’s made it really hard, but just to put their relationship in a place where he’s got to put his foot down a little bit and then ultimately they love each other enough for him to go, look, I want you to be happy.”
It did lead to some conflict between the spouses, around Valentine’s Day even, which was when she first said she wouldn’t go to D.C. given what they’d settled on when the job opportunity first arose. “You are the love of my life, John. I don’t want to be anywhere you’re not,” she said at the time. But after an explosion at the station, which gave the couple newfound respect for each other, he told her to go to D.C. and they were strong enough to handle the separation. She thought he figured she’d get bored in a year and return home. They’ve since been balancing FaceTime calls and short visits.
Looking ahead, Hawley teased that there’s much more to this than just her exploring something new.
“Let’s just say things take a dark turn and we get a little bit into some conspiracy world, which I think is kind of fun to do,” he revealed. “We will come to a pretty big head in Episode 12.”
As for who will be joining her in D.C. for this think tank, don’t expect to be meeting a bunch of new characters that you’ll get to know. However, one that we’ve heard before will be back in Episode 11 tied to it.
“You remember Zuzu, our homicidal AI chatbot? He comes back to sort of warn Nolan that people are investigating Bailey, nefarious people,” says Hawley. “It’s a fun little callback, and I love that character. I thought it was so, and sadly so, prescient.”
What do you think of Bailey’s storyline in Season 8? What are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Rookie, Mondays, 10/9c, ABC
—Reporting by Damian Holbrook
Conversation35 Comments
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B
she adds nothing to the show, just drop her.
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L
Thank you!! I thought i was the only one thinking that. She should be killed off.
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O
She adds plenty. Quit being so damned jealous
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N
Bailey is doesn't fit in with the rest of the cast or show - poor chemistry! It's like two shows superimposed: The Rookie & The Bailey SuperWoman shows.
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H
I totally agree that this character should be written out of this series. I have always felt that way. I have no idea why, but feel that she has never been a good fit for Nolan, nor any part of the show. Good actress but her presence adds NOTHING to any scene she is in
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O
I love her character. Sick of all the Bailey haters. Keep Bailey. All the mean people just shut up about it.
They should get rid of Lucy. Such a narcissistic whiny brat. No cop would ever be that way.
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G
Just get rid of her.
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L
Couldn't agree more
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Q
Why can't there be happy married couples living together? I understand intrigue and suspense but why always separating them?
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C
Bailey isn’t a cop she doesn’t need her own dc storyline
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L
Your right. I cannot stand her or her character. Kill her off!! She's a drag.
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🤍
I'm hoping she leaves the show personally 🤷♀️😂
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R
i don’t get the storyline at all. it’s stupid. leave those two alone.
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M
Leave them alone. Its a stupid idea to do that. Where would you ever find a couple that would agree to that??? Let's see Henry some more and give them a baby, get her back from DC.
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O
Thank you for your voice of reason! I love Bailey ❤️
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J
Have Oscar get her.
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L
Have some kind of thing happen where Nolan has to go to D.C., with other cops, to solve case and rescue his wife. She decides to go back, only to die later in fighting a fire. Show Nolan temporarily dealing with guilt and grief, with friends and boss, talking him through it. He eventually recovers from it. Maybe, exgirlfriend from hospital several seasons ago, temporarily comes into picture, or he deals with it alone. At the funeral, have son, and former landlord friend, show up for the funeral and episode, to help him grieve. Let Nolan find out son has a girlfriend or wife in a far-off place and that he is getting a degree while working his now overseas job. Better to have Nolan widowed than twice divorced.
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I
I agree - she doesn’t fit with the cast or storyline. And how convenient she shows up at every emergency as if LA isn’t big enough to have other fire fighter show up. Unrealistic
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B
Kill Oscar and Monica..that's all I care about.
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O
I love the actress but Monica is just too mean.
Rosary Dyer was a great character. So sad she died in real life 😢
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G
I don’t think she fits in the show. Let her go!
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G
Bailey is a waist of time. We dislike her character and how she takes precious time from others. Admit to the mistake that she is not the best fit and in
Season 9, either get rid of her, or reduced her screen time to the amount of James. The opinion is pretty unanimous!
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O
Who's we? You don't speak for everybody. There a just as many people thar love her. I've always lived female characters that can kick ass and take care of themselves (unlike Lucy Crybaby)
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L
Get rid of her. She's an annoying character. Let them divorce or kill her off. She is a drag.
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O
Maybe you're the drag
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R
Keep Bailey and Nolan together. They bring action and comedy to the show. Love them. Love the entire show
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G
The amount of Bailey hate in this section is kinda funny, people seem to have very strong feelings about her but not willing to understand her lol. I kinda intrigued with what's going to happen. Although I hope Nolan and Bailey will be fine, one of the best couples on the show:)
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B
You would think if enough people are saying the same thing, people would get a clue. She adds absolutely NOTHING to the show and I hate that other characters lose time due to her. She is a terrible fit for Nolan and I have never liked her. PLEASE just get rid of her already.
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P
I personally was hoping for a nice divorce to finally get rid of her. I’ve never seen them as a couple and she adds absolutely nothing to the show.
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D
Terrible character with no depth. She is boring and selfish. Nolan could do better. Just write her off.
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G
Get rid of her.
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A
Nolan and Tim’s sister should get together. They have great chemistry from the what 2 scenes they’ve been in together…
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D
It wouldn't break my heart to see her go.I find them a bit of a boring couple.I think he needs someone who can give him a baby(I know he doesn't want one)but that's the fun in it all,to see him happy as a new father again.I don't know worth a story line
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P
lol he’s 50, just no
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G
Honnestly I'm hoping to NOT see Bailey that much... it's a show about cops NOT a stupid firefighter!! She adds nothing to the show and only takes away screentime from the characters we love! I honnestly hope she stays in DC and we never hear anything about her! Why can't the writers only use her when she is actually necessary, like they do with James and Wesley? Anyways, I saw that there will be budget cuts for the rookie, I know a perfect cut given the fact that she is one of the highest payed actresses (even though she should not even be a main character)....
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