Before she became Officer Lucy Chen on The Rookie — the determined, brave, and emotionally grounded cop fans have come to love — Melissa O’Neil was already proving her strength and versatility on television. Long before she patrolled the streets of Los Angeles alongside Nathan Fillion and Eric Winter, O’Neil made her mark in a completely different universe — the sci-fi world of Dark Matter.
And if you think Lucy Chen is tough, wait until you meet Two, O’Neil’s fearless and mysterious character from the beloved Canadian space drama. Dark Matter not only showcased O’Neil’s acting range but also cemented her status as a true on-screen powerhouse long before she joined ABC’s hit police procedural.
A New Kind of Heroine: Melissa O’Neil as Two
Dark Matter premiered in 2015 on Syfy, created by Stargate alums Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. The series opened with six people waking up on a spaceship with no memories of who they were or how they got there. Each character was identified only by a number based on the order they awoke — One through Six.
Melissa O’Neil played Two (aka Portia Lin), the de facto leader of the crew aboard the Raza. Strong, decisive, and intelligent, Two quickly emerged as the glue that held the group together. But unlike the traditional “space captain” archetype, O’Neil’s character brought depth and emotional nuance — she wasn’t just leading; she was protecting, questioning, and constantly evolving.
What made Two especially fascinating was her layered identity. As the show progressed, fans learned she wasn’t entirely human — she was an advanced bio-engineered being, designed for perfection but yearning for humanity. This internal conflict gave O’Neil the chance to deliver one of the most emotionally rich performances in sci-fi television at the time.
A Role That Showcased Her Range and Strength
Melissa O’Neil’s portrayal of Two wasn’t just about physical dominance — though she handled the show’s intense action sequences with remarkable agility — it was about emotional leadership. Two wasn’t the loudest or the most flamboyant; she was commanding because of her quiet strength, empathy, and unyielding sense of justice.
It’s easy to draw parallels between Two and Lucy Chen from The Rookie. Both are women who find themselves in male-dominated environments and rise through sheer competence, compassion, and courage. But while Lucy’s battles are on Earth’s streets, Two’s were in the cold vacuum of space — and often with a laser gun in hand.
In Dark Matter, O’Neil delivered powerful performances in moments of tension and vulnerability alike. Whether she was negotiating peace with space mercenaries or confronting her own artificial nature, O’Neil made Two feel real — a balance of machine precision and human emotion that resonated deeply with fans.
How Dark Matter Built Melissa O’Neil’s Path to The Rookie
Before her time on The Rookie, Melissa O’Neil’s background might surprise casual fans. She first rose to fame as the winner of Canadian Idol in 2005 — yes, before she was a TV star, she was a singer with powerhouse vocals. But after a successful stint in music and theater (including roles in Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar), O’Neil transitioned into television, where Dark Matter became her breakout acting role.
The success of the series gave her visibility beyond Canada, leading to roles in other American productions such as Condor and This Life, before she eventually landed the part of Lucy Chen in The Rookie.
And while The Rookie allowed her to show emotional vulnerability and depth within the framework of a grounded police procedural, Dark Matter proved she could anchor an ensemble cast and lead with confidence.
Fans Still Miss Dark Matter
Despite its passionate fanbase, Dark Matter was canceled after just three seasons, leaving audiences heartbroken and craving closure. The show’s sudden ending is still a sore spot for sci-fi enthusiasts who considered it one of the most underrated genre series of the 2010s.
Melissa O’Neil’s performance as Two remains one of the standout reasons fans continue to campaign for a revival. Her portrayal combined power, compassion, and moral conflict — the very same traits that now make Lucy Chen one of the most compelling characters on The Rookie.
From Space Captain to LAPD Officer
What makes O’Neil’s career trajectory so fascinating is how she’s carried her signature traits — strength, empathy, and intelligence — into vastly different roles. On Dark Matter, she commanded a ship filled with criminals and survivors, constantly making life-or-death decisions. On The Rookie, she navigates the moral complexities of being a modern cop while balancing her heart and her duty.
Both roles required her to walk a fine line between authority and vulnerability. Whether she’s leading a rebellion in deep space or interrogating suspects in Los Angeles, O’Neil brings an unshakable authenticity that grounds her performances.
It’s that same authenticity that makes Lucy Chen more than just a love interest or a rookie cop — she’s a woman defined by resilience and growth, much like Two before her.
A Performer Who Redefines Strength
Melissa O’Neil’s evolution from a sci-fi warrior to one of network TV’s most beloved police officers is a testament to her range as an actress. She’s proven she can handle complex emotional beats as well as adrenaline-pumping action sequences — and make both feel entirely believable.
In Dark Matter, she was a warrior with a mysterious past and a fierce determination to protect her crew. In The Rookie, she’s a cop learning to balance justice and compassion in an imperfect world. Both characters, in their own ways, embody O’Neil’s ability to play strong women with soul.
Final Thoughts
Before The Rookie, Melissa O’Neil had already shown the world that she was a born leader on screen. Her performance in Dark Matter was commanding, emotional, and unforgettable — the kind of role that showcased not just her toughness, but her humanity.
So, while many fans know her now as Lucy Chen, those who watched Dark Matter remember her first as Two — the fearless captain who could outthink, outfight, and outfeel anyone in the galaxy.
And for longtime viewers, that legacy of strength and complexity continues to shine in everything O’Neil does — from outer space to the LAPD. 🚀💫
