‘The Rookie’ Villains, Ranked Worst to Best
The Rookie is known for its cliffhanger season finales, and this year’s was no different. Season 8 ended with the abrupt kidnapping of Officers Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Braford (Eric Winter) amidst their engagement. The kidnapping took place right after an intense arrest of Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise), who, as revenge, sent people to kidnap Chen and Bradford.
Now that we have had time to process the ending, it’s time to look back at all the best villains The Rookie has given us, including the new addition of Everett this season. Here the Top 10 The Rookie villains so far, ranked from worst to best in terms of villainy.
#10. Blair London (Danielle Campbell)
In last place is Blair (Danielle Campbell). Not only did Blair almost permanently turn Tim off from therapy, but she led on poor Aaron (Tru Valentino). Her other crimes read as miniscule in comparison.
Blair got in the way for most of the season, and it was clear to everyone that she would be trouble from the beginning. Blair was definitely meant to be the villain of Season 6 but, she just served as a proxy for Monica (Bridget Regan) and a predictable betrayer. Blair’s role seems like it was intended to be bigger, but due to production delays from the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ labor strikes, she was forgotten, and her plot was rushed.
#9. Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise)
The newest villain on The Rookie, Everett, is a war criminal known for his ability to manipulate just about anyone through his private military organization and copious amounts of money. Though, as of now, the worst thing he has done is disrupt Lucy and Tim’s engagement. Unfortunately, this situation was also a little predictable, considering everyone has been holding their breath since Everett told Tim, “You’re going to regret this,” after Tim refused to accept his bribe. Everett has already made some epic and action movie-like escapes, leaving us excited to see if he escapes capture again next season.
#8. Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave)
Oscar’s (Matthew Glave) recurring role has dragged on and lost its edge. His habitual snitching has caused a lack in his character development, leading it to feel like he is just there for comedic relief. Plus, his frequent appearances make it feel like he is a part of the main cast.
Every time we see Oscar, he does the same thing: tormenting Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and then trying to commit a crime he fails at, leading him to either get caught or take off running. Oscar has become a predictable villain — if we can even call him a villain anymore.
#7. Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan)
After infuriating us for four seasons of double-crossing anyone and everyone, Monica has been killed off. This corrupt lawyer with a heart of stone advocated for killers to be set free and charmed us with her relentless independence and lack of fear.
Many felt like the Monica storyline was being dragged on, so it didn’t come as a shock that this was her last season. Monica just wanted to be rich and have immunity, so when she finally got it and realized she was disappointed in the person she became, it was hard not to feel for her.
Her goodbye left us emotional, especially with seeing Wesley’s (Shawn Ashmore) reaction to her death. Monica’s main priority was always her own survival, no matter the cost. Unfortunately, her betrayal of Jakob Olmstead (Casper Andreas) was the one thing she couldn’t survive.
#6. Elijah Stone (Brandon Jay McLaren)
Crime lord Elijah Stone (Brandon Jay McLaren) and attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) are arch nemeses, but it is getting old. What started as Elijah manipulating Wesley to represent various criminals and associates of Elijah, turned into Elijah going after the entire LAPD and multiple officers.
Now there are too many rivalries and enemies that Elijah has made, and we can’t keep up. The simple dynamic between Elijah and his favorite “counselor” was much more interesting thn where his character has headed this past season.
#5. Sandra De La Cruz "La Fiera" (Camille Guaty)
The scariest thing about La Fiera (Camille Guaty) was how easy it was to sympathize with her, especially when her son was shot in front of her.
She made for a great villain who served her purpose in an appropriate amount of time. Her obsession with Angela Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) left us with the incredible Season 3 cliffhanger, although, sadly, alsothe death of Jackson (Titus Makin Jr.). When La Fiera took Angela captive while she was pregnant, it left us all terrified to see if our favorite officer would survive.
#4. Liam Glasser (Seth Gabel)
Glasser (Seth Gabel) single-handedly made The Rookie feel like The Rookie again. Glasser brought us all back to the early seasons with the classic game of cat and mouse, except it’s a serial killer and a cop.
Season 6 lacked a villain that could really stir up trouble, and Glasser filled this void in Season 7. This storyline was reminiscent of Rosalind (Annie Wersching) and Caleb (Michael Cassidy), with the setting up of a patsy to take the fall for his crimes.
The character remains a threat, as he was not prosecuted for his crimes due to Nyla (Mekia Cox) threatening his life. This leaves us hopeful that we will see Glasser again… and hopeful he will be put away for good.
#3. Caleb Wright (Michael Cassidy)
While Caleb (Michael Cassidy) might have been Rosalind’s acolyte, he carried out her crimes on his own, classifying him as his own villain.
Originally, Caleb was supposed to kidnap and kill Armstrong, but instead, he saw an opportunity of convivence with Lucy and chose to kidnap her. I guess we have to thank Caleb Wright for the best Chenford scene in all eight seasons. Caleb Wright had us all fooled with his nice-guy act … It’s truly every woman’s nightmare.
While he was only in a few episodes,he made a lasting impact on us and the officers at Mid-Wilshire.
#2. Nick Armstrong (Harold Perrineau)
Detective Armstrong (Harold Perrineau) joined the Mid-Wilshire team in Season 2 and quickly became a mentor to Nolan (Nathan Fillion). The betrayal was felt by everyone when Armstrong was revealed to be a dirty cop and working for the Derian Crime Family.
This reveal was iconic to watch and figure out the truth in the moment with Nolan through the line, “She said his name before she saw him.” While fans tried to figure out who the mole was inside the station, no one suspected that it would be a trusted character.
Armstrong was not only incredibly intelligent but also respected, making it hard for people to believe that he would try to kill Nolan.
#1. Rosalind Dyer (Annie Wersching)
Rosalind (Annie Wersching) is everything a villain should be and more. Her obsession with Nolan and her ruthless manipulation tactics frankly should be studied. She always had something up her sleeve. From trapping Bailey (Jenna Dewan) to finding new acolytes, she kept us surprised season after season.
When she escaped prison and stabbed Chris (Kanoa Goo), which totally ruined Lucy and Tim’s moment, she stayed hidden until her next move. This kept us on the edge of our seats every episode, wondering when she would make her return. Rosalind consistently stayed one step ahead, even whileplanning her own death.
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While I really like the show, my one pet peeve is that they keep criminals on way too long. To me two or three episodes tops should be it.
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