Meanwhile, Wesley is assigned a murder case with a one-day deadline and enlists the help of Angela and Nyla. In a surprising twist, Detective Berman is revealed to be the killer, having framed Ben Dover for his crime. And no “April Fools” episode would be complete without Chenford shenanigans, although the only prank they seem to be playing is on themselves. Tim and Lucy spend the day sneaking off together, using the holiday to justify their actions.
ScreenRant interviews star Shawn Ashmore about his reaction to The Rookie season 7, episode 12’s Purge plotline, Wesley’s latest case, whether Monica could return, and Chenford’s April Fools’ prank.
Ashmore’s Favorite Cases Involve Wesley And Angela
“Their love is so strong that their annoyance with each other is just charming.”
I love The Rookie, and I love The Purge films, so you can imagine my excitement for this episode. What was your reaction when you read the script and found out about the storyline?
Shawn Ashmore: I did not see it coming, first of all. I was like, “Oh, this is the April Fools episode.” What’s interesting about The Rookie is, sometimes we have lighter, fun episodes, sometimes they’re really, really heavy, and sometimes it’s the combination of both, and I think that’s what keeps the show fresh and interesting.
But I thought, beginning this, I was like, “Okay, Wesley’s got the Ben Dover case, and Nolan’s got a new rookie, and the Chenford romance, the April Fools, like, ‘Let’s get away with this.'” So I was like, “It’s going to be one of those episodes, and we’re going to play out all these potential April Fools things and have a fun episode.” And then, obviously, smash cut to a crazy riot in Los Angeles, and it’s a Purge-style night for everybody, but I think that’s what the show does well.
Walking that line between every day and the intense levels of stress that officers and first responders have to deal with. So I really liked it. The thing that’s challenging is you don’t want it to feel like a smash cut, or you’re jumping off a cliff into a new story. And I think that our writers always do a good job when these tone shifts happen to make them feel grounded. I thought it was a really cool episode.
Were you surprised by the way Wesley’s case ended? Did you suspect that Berman was the killer?
Shawn Ashmore: After the witness interview in the boardroom with Angela and Harper there, I think he was like, “Something’s not right here. This feels very coached.” At that point, I was like, “Yeah, I think I see where this is going.” It’s fun though. The cases that I love the most for Wesley is when he has to call that favor into Angela. I always love that moment. So it’s like, “Hey, I need to ask you a favor.”
They love each other so much, but I think they’re always reluctant to pull each other into their cases and stuff. But I love that, and I love the scene where he’s being blackmailed to send his wife and her partner away to a spa retreat, and he is like, “Oh my God, can’t you just help me out?” But again, that’s the fun that I think Wopez has. They love each other so much.
They’re so secure, but they kind of push each other’s buttons in that way that’s charming and fun and keeps it fresh them. And they’ve always had that from the very beginning. I think that’s what really worked for Angela and Wesley, is that they were very different people that drove each other a little crazy, but when you get right down to it, their love is so strong that their annoyance with each other is just charming.
Ashmore Weighs In On Monica’s Return In The Rookie Season 7
“He wronged her a long time ago, and he’s paying for it still.”
Wesley’s also got himself a bit of a nemesis in Monica, who popped back up last episode.
Shawn Ashmore: Yeah, an ex. Bridget [Regan], who plays Monica, I’ve known her for a long time, and she and I did a film together. So when I found out she was playing this role, I was like, “Perfect. She’s lovely to work with, ridiculously talented, and will be perfect in this role.” So that was kind of special.
And I think that because these two are a former couple, and Wesley cheated on her, which is a huge twist. I was like, “Ooh, that’s a whole other side to Wesley that I hadn’t seen.” I liked the fact that Bridget and I knew each other, so we had a history, we were comfortable together. When we started working together, it wasn’t the first time that we’d met.
So I think that was kind of nice. But, also what I like about Monica, is she keeps coming back, but also I think Wesley dug his grave, so to speak. He wronged her a long time ago, and he’s paying for it still. So yeah. It’s always nice to have Monica back to stir things up in The Rookie universe.
Could we see another face-off between them this season?
Shawn Ashmore: We could. I don’t want to confirm anything. It’s possible. Anything’s possible. You should stay tuned to figure that out. Again, I think the writers do a really good job of bringing back and maintaining these threats in these characters’ lives. Even if we don’t see them for a while, it’s nice when these kind of characters come back and assert themselves back into these characters’ lives. So it’s possible.
Ashmore Enjoys Chenford’s Ongoing Will-They-Won’t-They Dynamic
“I’m feeling much better after this episode. Obviously, they still are very into each other.”
I know you got some ice cream to help you through the Chenford breakup [last season].
Shawn Ashmore: I sure did. More ice cream than anybody ever needs.
How are you feeling about their odds after this episode?
Shawn Ashmore: I mean, I think they’re pretty good. The odds are pretty good. I do have to say, that post, I shouldn’t have posted because there were so many people internationally that weren’t caught up and were devastated and so mad at me. I was like, “Oh! It’s out there. It’s on the internet. It’s aired.”
But a lot of people were very upset that I kind of spoiled that, and I was like, “But it’s aired. It’s out there.” I think their chances are, I mean…come on. They love each other. They’re into each other. I really do like the will-they-won’t-they and on-again-off-again. I think that it keeps it interesting. Again, who knows if they’ll end up forever?
They clearly love each other, but sometimes circumstances and situations aren’t enough to keep that together. I think we’ve all been in relationships that work in a lot of ways and don’t work in other ways. I’m curious just like everybody else to see where it all goes. But yes, I’m feeling much better after this episode. Obviously, they still are very into each other.
Ashmore Hopes For More Wesley And Tim Scenes In The Rookie
“Maybe Tim just needs to spend a little more time with Wesley, and they need to become bros.”
Angela has called Tim family, and I’d love for Tim and Wesley to interact more. Is that something that could be upcoming or that you’d like to see?
