ABC’s hit police drama, The Rookie, thrives on the intense chemistry, high-stakes action, and deep personal bonds of the officers at the Mid-Wilshire precinct. While fans are deeply invested in the on-screen relationships—like the complex romance between Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen (Chenford) or the enduring marriage of Angela Lopez and Wesley Evers (Westopez)—the real-life love stories of the actors often provide even more compelling drama.
From Hollywood power couples who co-star on rival shows to Broadway stars who found love, here is a look at the real-life partners of the main cast members, proving that even a demanding filming schedule can’t stop true love.
💘 The Core Cast and Their Significant Others
The relationships of the central players range from long-standing marriages that are the envy of Hollywood to promising new romances that have just recently emerged from the shadows.
Nathan Fillion (John Nolan): A Private Romance Unveiled
For years, Nathan Fillion, who plays the oldest rookie, John Nolan, was famous for his charisma and his private personal life, often joking about his “unlucky in love” status. While he was previously engaged twice, his fans assumed he was single.
- The Partner: In a recent and delightful surprise to fans, Fillion has been confirmed to be in a relationship with actress Tania Raymonde.
- The Public Reveal: The couple made their relationship public after being spotted together on various outings and even at the Superman premiere (Fillion stars as Green Lantern in the DC Extended Universe). Raymonde, known for her roles in Lost and The Lincoln Lawyer, has been a welcome sight for fans who have long wished to see Fillion happy. This new romance proves that even after a decade in the demanding role of a TV lead, there’s always time for a late-blooming, genuine connection.
Eric Winter (Tim Bradford): Married to a Fellow Star
Eric Winter, who plays the no-nonsense Training Officer Tim Bradford, is married to a well-known star, making them one of Hollywood’s busiest power couples.
- The Partner: Winter is married to actress, singer, and producer Roselyn Sánchez. Sánchez is known for her work on shows like Fantasy Island and Without a Trace.
- The Love Story: The couple met in Los Angeles in 2005, got engaged during a midnight kayak ride in Puerto Rico (Sánchez’s birthplace), and married in San Juan in 2008. They share two children: a daughter, Sebella, and a son, Dylan.
- Professional Collaboration: Their creative partnership extends beyond their family life. They have co-written a children’s book, starred in the Hallmark film A Taste of Summer, and even host a podcast together, “He Said, Ella Dijo,” offering fans an intimate look at their often opposing, but always loving, viewpoints. Sánchez even made a cameo on The Rookie in Season 2, playing a journalist who clashes with Bradford, much to the delight of viewers.
Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen): Focused on Career
The other half of the beloved Chenford pairing, Melissa O’Neil, who plays Lucy Chen, maintains a much more private romantic life than her on-screen partner.
- The Partner: As far as public knowledge and social media activity suggests, O’Neil is currently single, dedicating much of her time to her demanding filming schedule and her love of travel.
- The Focus: The actress has often joked online about her relationship status, but she remains intensely private about her personal life, choosing instead to focus public attention on her impressive professional journey, which includes her breakout role as the winner of Canadian Idol.
💍 Engagements, Marriages, and Family
The personal lives of the supporting cast are equally rich, featuring long-term marriages, blended families, and an engagement that has captured the hearts of Broadway and Hollywood fans alike.
Jenna Dewan (Bailey Nune): A Broadway Love Story
Jenna Dewan, who plays firefighter and Nolan’s fiancée, Bailey Nune, has found a fairy tale second chapter to her romantic life.
- The Partner: Dewan is engaged to Tony Award-winning actor and singer Steve Kazee.
- The Love Story: The couple initially crossed paths in 2012 when Dewan watched Kazee in the Broadway musical Once, but they didn’t start dating until 2018, following Dewan’s high-profile split from Channing Tatum. Kazee proposed in 2020. They have since welcomed two children together, a son, Callum, and a daughter, Rhiannon, creating a happy blended family that includes Dewan’s older daughter, Everly.
- On-Screen Chemistry: Adding a fun twist, Kazee even appeared on The Rookie as Bailey’s volatile ex-husband, a challenging role that tested the boundaries of their real-life chemistry.
Alyssa Diaz (Angela Lopez): Met on an App
Alyssa Diaz, who plays the determined Detective Angela Lopez, found love in a very modern way.
- The Partner: Diaz is engaged to Grammy-nominated musician Gustavo Galindo.
- The Love Story: They met on the dating app Bumble while both were working in Mexico City. Diaz and Galindo share two children, and Diaz’s first pregnancy coincided with her character’s, leading the showrunners to write the pregnancy into Angela Lopez’s Season 3 storyline.
Shawn Ashmore (Wesley Evers): Love on Set
Diaz’s on-screen husband, Shawn Ashmore, who plays defense attorney Wesley Evers, found his partner on the set of a different project.
- The Partner: Ashmore is married to Dana Wasdin, a film executive and former assistant director.
- The Love Story: The two met on the set of the 2010 movie Frozen and tied the knot in 2012. They share one son, Oliver.
Mekia Cox (Nyla Harper): Basketball Analyst
Mekia Cox, who plays Detective Nyla Harper, is married to a figure well-known in the sports world.
- The Partner: Cox is married to basketball analyst Britt Leach.
- The Family: The couple wed in 2018 and have since welcomed two children, a daughter born in 2019 and a second child in 2022.
✨ Conclusion: Real-Life Happy Endings
The cast of The Rookie truly embodies the spirit of family, both on and off the screen. While their fictional counterparts face endless danger and relationship hurdles, the actors themselves have built stable, loving, and successful partnerships. From the established Hollywood marriage of Eric Winter and Roselyn Sánchez to the newfound bliss of Nathan Fillion’s romance and the blended family joy of Jenna Dewan, these real-life love stories provide the ultimate “happy ending” for a dedicated cast that spends so much time fighting for justice on screen.
