Before The Rookie brought Jenna Dewan and Eric Winter together as Bailey Nune and Tim Bradford in a fan-favorite storyline, the two actors had already shared the screen years ago — in a romantic drama that many fans have completely forgotten about.
That earlier collaboration was “Witches of East End”, the 2013 supernatural series that aired on Lifetime. In the show, Dewan portrayed Freya Beauchamp, a free-spirited bartender who learns she comes from a family of witches, while Winter played Dash Gardiner, her wealthy and charming fiancé. The series, based on Melissa de la Cruz’s popular novel, ran for two seasons and centered around love, destiny, and the price of magic.
While The Rookie fans now know Dewan and Winter for their confident, grounded portrayals of LAPD officers navigating love and danger, Witches of East End showed them in an entirely different light — one filled with fantasy, curses, and forbidden romance. Their on-screen chemistry back then hinted at the natural ease that would later shine through when they reunited years later on The Rookie.
Eric Winter, in interviews, has often spoken fondly about the short-lived series, calling it a project that “deserved more time.” He noted that the cast had a great connection both on and off screen, which made their characters’ relationships feel genuine. Dewan, too, has mentioned that Witches of East End was one of her favorite roles, especially because it allowed her to explore strong female dynamics alongside co-stars Julia Ormond, Mädchen Amick, and Rachel Boston.
It’s especially interesting for The Rookie viewers to see how both Dewan and Winter’s acting paths evolved from that fantasy world into the grounded realism of a procedural drama. When Dewan joined The Rookie as firefighter Bailey Nune in Season 3, fans immediately noticed her easy chemistry with Winter’s Tim Bradford. Their partnership felt natural, filled with the same spark they’d once shared in Witches of East End — though now with a more mature, emotionally layered tone.
Over time, Bailey and Tim’s relationship became one of The Rookie’s central emotional threads. Winter’s character, who started as a tough, emotionally guarded training officer, gradually learned to open up, and Bailey played a key role in that growth. Dewan’s portrayal of Bailey added depth, portraying her as compassionate, resilient, and willing to face danger head-on — much like Dewan’s real-life personality, as her co-stars often point out.
For longtime TV fans, it’s fascinating to trace the overlapping histories between these two actors. While Witches of East End was a fantasy about magic and fate, The Rookie is grounded in real-world heroism — yet both stories, at their core, are about trust, loyalty, and love tested under pressure. Dewan and Winter bring that same emotional honesty to their roles, which may explain why their characters’ connection resonates so strongly with audiences.
After Witches of East End ended in 2014, both stars took on diverse projects. Winter joined the FBI franchise for a brief stint before The Rookie, while Dewan appeared in Supergirl, The Resident, and Soundtrack. Their eventual reunion on The Rookie wasn’t just a coincidence — it felt like a full-circle moment for fans who remembered their earlier work together.
Social media fans, especially on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), have recently rediscovered clips of Dewan and Winter from Witches of East End, reacting with surprise and nostalgia. Comments like “Wait, Tim and Bailey were engaged in another show?” and “No wonder their chemistry is off the charts!” have flooded fan accounts. The resurfacing of their past collaboration has only deepened viewers’ appreciation for their current dynamic on The Rookie.
Looking ahead, with The Rookie confirmed for a new season, both actors continue to shine. Winter has expressed his gratitude for the fans who’ve supported his character’s evolution, saying that the emotional depth of Season 8 “wouldn’t work without strong partners like Jenna.” Dewan, meanwhile, has hinted at more challenges — and more heart — to come for Bailey and Tim.
Ultimately, their journey from Witches of East End to The Rookie is a reminder of how Hollywood careers can circle back in unexpected ways. What began as a magical love story on a fantasy series has transformed into one of network television’s most compelling, grounded relationships — proving that real chemistry can transcend time, genre, and even entire shows.
