The Rookie Season 7 loses major stars including Tru Valentino’s Aaron Thorsen and Patrick Keleher’s Officer Ridley. Discover why these beloved characters are walking away before the season finale and what it means for the show’s future.
ABC’s “The Rookie” has delivered a series of shocking departures in Season 7 that have left fans reeling. Not one, but multiple major stars have confirmed their exits from the beloved police procedural, creating significant changes to the show’s dynamic as it approaches its dramatic season finale.
Tru Valentino’s Surprising Exit as Aaron Thorsen
The biggest bombshell came with the departure of Tru Valentino, who played Officer Aaron Thorsen. Tru Valentino departed the hit ABC procedural ahead of Season 7 premiering, with ABC’s The Rookie down a series regular when Season 7 arrived in 2025.
Aaron Thorsen was introduced in season 4 as a TikTok star who was wrongfully accused of murdering his closest friend, Patrick Hayes. Although Thorsen was eventually acquitted, public opinion remained unchanged, as most folks were eager to pin the blame on a mini-celebrity involved in a highly sensationalized public scandal.
The character had evolved from a recurring role in Season 4 to a series regular in Season 5, making his departure even more impactful for longtime viewers who had watched his redemption arc unfold over multiple seasons.
Behind the Scenes: Why Valentino Left
Valentino posted a message on Instagram Stories hinting that the exit wasn’t his decision: “I will always cherish my time on The Rookie, but couldn’t be more excited for what the future has in store”. This suggests that the departure was a creative or potentially budgetary decision by the show’s producers rather than the actor’s choice to leave.
Aaron Thorsen’s exit from The Rookie in Season 7 appears to be both a creative and, likely, budgetary decision. This type of behind-the-scenes shake-up often reflects the complex realities of television production, where beloved characters sometimes fall victim to larger strategic considerations.
Patrick Keleher’s Officer Ridley Also Exits
Adding to the Season 7 departures, Patrick Keleher confirmed he’s done with The Rookie Season 7 after Officer Ridley’s dramatic exit, with the actor discussing the fate of his character ahead of the season 7 finale.
As The Rookie season 7 comes to an end, there is at least one character we won’t be seeing back for the final two episodes of the season. Keleher’s departure represents another significant loss for the show’s ensemble cast.
How The Show Addressed Aaron’s Departure
The Rookie season 7 premiere explains how Tru Valentino’s character, Officer Aaron Thorsen, leaves the ABC police procedural television series. Rather than killing off the character or creating an irreversible exit, the writers chose to handle Aaron’s departure in a way that leaves the door open for future appearances.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley discusses whether Aaron Thorsen could return to The Rookie and the creative reasoning behind his departure. This approach suggests that while the character is gone for now, there’s potential for future storylines that could bring him back.
Fan Reaction and Impact on the Show
Tru Valentino exited The Rookie in season 7, and although his character’s departure is dissatisfying, the show is trying to redeem itself. The loss of established characters always creates challenges for long-running procedurals, particularly when those characters had compelling ongoing storylines.
The departure of Aaron Thorsen is particularly notable because his character represented a unique element within the show’s framework – a social media influencer turned police officer dealing with public scrutiny and personal redemption.
What These Exits Mean for Season 7’s Finale
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 16 ended with a surprising character exit following an unexpected redemption arc. These departures create both challenges and opportunities for the show’s writers as they craft the season’s conclusion.
With multiple major characters no longer part of the ensemble, the remaining cast members must carry additional narrative weight. This shift could lead to expanded roles for other characters and new dynamics within the Mid-Wilshire precinct.
The Creative Challenge Moving Forward
One familiar face will be missing in Season 7 of The Rookie, but the show faces the larger challenge of maintaining viewer engagement while dealing with significant cast changes. Successful procedurals often survive cast departures by strengthening remaining storylines and introducing compelling new elements.
The show’s handling of these exits will likely determine fan reception and set the tone for future seasons. Unlike previous characters who have exited, Aaron Thorsen deserved a ceremonious departure, highlighting the importance of how beloved characters are written out of long-running series.
Hope for Future Returns
Despite the disappointing nature of these departures, there’s reason for optimism. Both Valentino and series creator Alexi Hawley have said they’re open to the potential for Aaron to return to “The Rookie” in the future.
One update makes Aaron’s exit less concerning, as Tru Valentino’s character’s future remains open to possibility. This approach allows the show to potentially bring back popular characters when storylines and circumstances align.
Looking Ahead to Season 8
As The Rookie prepares for its Season 8 renewal, these departures represent both an ending and a beginning. While fans will miss the departed characters, the show has an opportunity to explore new directions and develop fresh storylines that can capture audience attention.
The success of The Rookie’s handling of these major departures will ultimately determine whether the show can maintain its popularity and continue delivering the compelling police procedural content that has made it a hit for ABC. With talented writers and a strong remaining cast, the series has the tools necessary to navigate these significant changes successfully.
