How Did Afton Williamson’s Talia Bishop Leave ‘The Rookie’ in Season 2?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for The Rookie Season 2, Episode 1, “Impact”]
Actress Afton Williamson shocked fans of ABC’s The Rookie over the summer when she revealed she wouldn’t be returning for a second season as her character Talia Bishop.
After alleging she was harassed by a costar and a crew member through social media posts, Williamson told her fans that unanswered complaints led to her departure. And this decision certainly seemed to influence how the show picked up from its first season cliffhanger in the Season 2 premiere on September 29.
The fix? A two-week time jump following a shootout next to the hospital to which Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) was being transferred. Due to John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) involvement in the shootout, he was put on suspension for a couple weeks.
As he’s gearing up to head back to work for the first time in a while, Nolan chats with girlfriend Jessica Russo (Sarah Shahi) in the midst of remodeling his home. While Russo attempts to boost Nolan’s mood by reminding him that he gets to return to work, he casually says it won’t be the same without his training officer, Bishop (Williamson).
“Taking that job with ATF was smart,” Russo tells Nolan, revealing the reason for her absence.
(Credit: ABC/Tony Rivetti)
She continues, reasoning that this was the best option for Bishop considering the hot water she’d found herself in recently. As viewers will remember, Bishop lied about her foster brother’s criminal past by omitting him from her police academy application.
If anyone isn’t familiar with the meaning behind ATF, it’s short for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Seems like a good fit for the hard-hitting cop!
So, what do you think about the way Williamson’s character left the show? Let us know in the comments below.
The Rookie, Sundays, 10/9c, ABC
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One of the reasons I got interested in the show was Talia Bishop and her relationship with Nolan. She was a strong black woman character and I thought she was terrific. It is a shame that the producers didn't think enough of her to address the harassment.
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I thought her character really added to the show. I think it was a horrible mistake in losing her
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I thought Williamson was great and she is missed
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LOL... Oh she will get another role, you better believe that. Not only did she made a way in network television that catered to majority white people. But she will definitely seek roles within the Black Entertainment industry and will get them.
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Regardless if its an ensemble or not. She accepted the contract. For argument sake it could be for the reason you stated, but it is not. She is actually getting paid the money she feel she is owed and it is working for her.Do you even know how payroll works for actors? Because it seems you do not. The point is, like many of us who leave a job for various reason regardless if it due to money, respect, or other reason. That is what she did and it worked and she got more jobs and was paid at the rate she believes she is worth and negotiate this with the people in charge. It is not always about the money, sometimes a peace of mind means more than money.
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Not true. Grace Park did alot of things including a new lead role on a show called A Million Little Things she booked after leaving H5-0.
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C
And yer still losing. =/
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Double down! Looks like we're playing 21!
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Yes, she got a smaller role in an ensamble cast on a show much lower rates than H50. She left H50 because of pay, lost a full season of work and undoubtedly makes less snow than she did on H50. How does this make sense, again?
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C
bullshit exit...i loved her, but her character was not so good...she was full of herself just like Tim Bradford's character...he is a bit funny, and she was allways tighten up...but good actress..but my opinion about her exit is that she made mistake...she will not have such roll so fast in a relatively good show...but i wish her all the best in her career
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If Afton Williamson ever gets another major TV role, we'll talk. Until then.... I guess you must be President of her fan club. Must be a short mailing list.
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Maybe, maybe not. She wasn't too good in her 'Rookie' role, and the way she left the show will only make it harder to find work. Time will tell.
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The harassment was addressed. The network even hired an outside investigator. The other actors and actresses stated they saw absolutely nothing true about Williamson's accusations. Off the record, they know she just wanted an excuse to leave, so she pulled a Smollett. She won't be working for too long in this industry.
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An efficient way to be done with her that doesn't preclude some type of return in the (very, very unlikely) event that it is warranted. I think she made a serious mistake in leaving, but the show will be far better off without her. While Daniel Dae Kim salvaged something of his career after leaving H50 in a snit, he was lucky and Grace Park hasn't had the same luck. Bishop will greatly regret having left the way she did as career opportunities aren't likely to come her way too easily now.
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Hah! I don't think people really agree with you. Wolvie. 😉 Thanks for playing, though! Be sure to pick up your gift bag on your way out!
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With more than double the Upvotes you have, I should get a gift bag!
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