Nathan Fillion on Getting Physical for ‘The Rookie’ & How John Nolan Compares to Richard Castle

Kate Hahn August 30, 2018, 9:00 am

Nathan Fillion as John Nolan in the pilot of The Rookie — ABC/Tony Rivetti

Never fear, Castle fans. Nathan Fillion’s new character has one key thing in common with his beloved former role. “John Nolan and Richard Castle have the same amazing hair!” the actor crows.

In ABC’s drama The Rookie, inspired by a true story, he plays the oldest new recruit in the Los Angeles Police Department.

Below, Fillion gives us his witness statement.

Nolan is 40, divorced and a dad. What else?

Nathan Fillion: His construction job was never his dream, and he wants to be relevant. LAPD is one of the few police departments that will take you over age 37. He’s optimistic and wants to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but he’s entering a world where people will hurt you as soon as [they] look at you.

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What preparation did you do?

I met the original guy, but we’re not trying to reflect his life. We’re chasing a big bowl of starting over. There’s a cultural shift: People reboot at 40. We also train with police consultants and have them on set to make sure we lend reality to procedures.

How are you handling the physical demands?

There’s a lot of running, jumping, struggling and fighting. My knees are not so great. If I have to run down the street super-duper fast and you don’t see my face, it’s the [stunt] guy.

THE ROOKIE - "Pilot" - Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force's oldest rookie, he's met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can't keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he'll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life. (ABC/Eric McCandless) NATHAN FILLION

Fillion in The Rookie.

You’re 47. Did you ever feel out of touch with your younger co-stars?

I rented a karaoke machine and had the cast over. I didn’t know more than half the songs they knew, and they knew maybe half that I grew up with. But I don’t have time for new stuff! I’m a little cranky and older. I’m a creature of habit.

What have you learned?

We don’t see a lot of good news about police officers. But police are here for a reason — for many it’s a calling — and there are good officers who want to serve and protect.