Since making its debut back in 2018, ABC’s The Rookie has slowly but surely become a hit among fans. Centering on thrilling cases, cops, and action, the series followed its titular character, John Nolan, played by Castle’s Nathan Fillion, as he decides to become the oldest rookie cop in the LAPD in his mid-40s. The character soon won the hearts of viewers with his demeanor and behavior as an officer of the LAPD and his dedication to his job.
However, it was not only Fillion’s character that had fans returning to the series time and time again. The Rookie also comprises a talented supporting cast, some of whom have been with the series since its inception, including Eric Winter, Alyssa Diaz, Melissa O’Neil, and Richard T. Jones. Others entered and exited the show at different points. One such character that fans particularly adored was Grace Sawyer, played by Ali Larter. Grace was a part of Season 2 of The Rookie, and fans were disappointed when the character permanently exited the show at the end of the season. Many have questioned why the character left altogether and whether she will return in future seasons of The Rookie.
Who Was Grace Sawyer?
Doctor Grace Sawyer was first introduced to viewers in Season 2 of The Rookie. A character who goes on to become a love interest of the beloved John Nolan, Grace and John have a history between them. The two met in college when John was still with his ex-wife, Sarah. He begins a relationship with Grace when his relationship with Sarah ends. However, the romance is short-lived, as Sarah re-enters John’s life in just a couple of weeks to announce that she is pregnant with John’s baby.
At the start of Season 2, Grace and John run into each other again after having had no contact for twenty years. Within that time, Grace was married, although she is now separated and has a son. The two reconnect, and as a flame reignites within them, with the duo finding common ground in discussing dealing with their children, a romance begins. However, similarly to their first try, the second attempt at their relationship is not a success. At the end of Season 2, Grace decides to reunite with her husband, Simon, for the sake of their son. Both the romance between Grace and John and the character of Grace herself vanish from The Rookie at the conclusion of the second season.
Why Did Ali Larter Leave The Rookie?
It was never the intention of producers to have Ali Larter take on a permanent spot in The Rookie. The actress was originally scheduled to be a part of only two episodes. However, as Grace’s character and story arc expanded, so did Larter’s time on The Rookie, with her original two episodes stretching to a noteworthy thirteen episodes. However, The Rookie was not all that Larter had on her plate.
At the time of joining The Rookie, Larter was already working on her own project, which she was set to both executive produce and star in. The project, titled The Sidelines, was categorized as an adult cheerleader comedy series for Fox. The series centered on a newly single mother of two who wanted to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a professional cheerleader. Ben Stiller was slated to executive produce alongside Larter. However, the project has not come to fruition at the time of writing.
Given Larter’s commitment to The Sidelines, it was likely that The Rookie producers decided to let go of the actress as her character’s relationship with John drew to an end. Bidding goodbye to Larter in such a way neatly tied up Dr. Grace Sawyer’s character arc, although some viewers believed the character’s exit from the show to be too abrupt.
Will Larter’s Grace Ever Return to the Series?
Despite leaving the series, Ali Larter has expressed that she is open to returning to the Rookie once again. Speaking at the conclusion of Season 2, Larter expressed that being a part of the show was a great experience, adding that she had an incredible time working with creator Alexi Hawley and the cast and crew of the series.
Despite Larter’s willingness to return to the series, The Rookie has come a long way since the end of its second season. Characters have grown and evolved together with the overarching narrative of the series. Bringing in Grace now seems to be futile. Moreover, although viewers initially thought that Grace was the perfect match for John, the romance between John and Bailey Nune has grown on audiences. Fans are now excited to see the progression of the relationship between John and Bailey and are eager to see the wedding between the duo become a reality. Bringing Grace back into the narrative at this point in time would only disrupt the storyline of the series.
With a sixth season of The Rookie in the works, it is unlikely that viewers will see Ali Larter reprise her role in The Rookie in the coming seasons. The story arc of the series has moved on across its multiple seasons, and the character of Grace, whose story ended in Season 2, may not fit into the current direction in which the series is headed. Grace may still make a guest appearance, though how the producers decide to slot the character into the present narrative remains to be seen.
Season 6 of The Rookie is now moving ahead with the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and the new season may take to screens sometime in early 2024. Until then, for nostalgic viewers who would like to see Grace within The Rookie storyline again, the show’s first five seasons are available for streaming on Hulu.
