Nathan Fillion reveals why The Rookie stands out from Law & Order, NCIS, and CSI — it keeps policing more grounded in reality.
Nathan Fillion wasn’t pulling punches when comparing The Rookie to its crime drama cousins like Law & Order, NCIS, CSI, and Blue Bloods. While those shows serve up flashy thrills and endless chases, Fillion knows The Rookie brings something different to the table.
What sets it apart? A more “real-life” approach to policing. No wild chases or impossible stunts here – just good ol’ gritty law enforcement. Fillion’s not afraid to admit it: his show doesn’t just get the job done, it keeps things grounded.
Nathan Fillion on why The Rookie outshines other cop shows: Authenticity over hero tropes
Nathan Fillion knows The Rookie’s got something other cop dramas like Law & Order, NCIS, CSI, and Blue Bloods don’t: authenticity. While those shows serve up heroic stunts and rule-bending badasses, Fillion was quick to point out what makes his show stand apart. In an interview with Local Syr, he said,
I really enjoy the idea of the accuracy of our show. We’ve been sold television shows before, cop shows before, but they’re always that heroic trope that we know of bending the rules to get the bad guy, but the reality is a little bit different, and we try to lean towards the reality of policing.
And this ain’t just talk. The Rookie is based on the real-life story of William Norcross, who switched gears at 44 to become an LAPD officer.
The show mirrors Norcross’ journey, with Fillion’s character, John Nolan, having the same late-life epiphany. Fillion didn’t just act the part; he believed in it. He considered The Rookie one of the most accurate cop shows on TV. He appreciated the way the series avoided clichés, majorly focusing on the day-to-day realities of law enforcement.
The show’s creator, Alexi Hawley, echoed Fillion’s take. She noted that The Rookie filled a gap in television. While investigative dramas abound, there hadn’t been a patrol-focused show like this in years. Hawley told TV Bizz,
Network television is full of investigative shows, but there hasn’t been a big, fun patrol show in a long time. The Rookie stands out because it tells diverse stories about our uniformed cops as they patrol the streets of Los Angeles — going from intense situations to comedic or emotional ones.
Hawley said the show stands out by telling diverse, real-life stories about uniformed officers, mixing intense situations with moments of humor and heart.
Nathan Fillion wants to reunite with One Life to Live co-stars on The Rookie
Nathan Fillion’s One Life to Live roots are pretty strong, and he hasn’t forgotten his soap opera family. He once alluded that he wanted to reunite with his old co-stars on The Rookie.
Fillion, who got his start in daytime TV, credited the experience for shaping his career. He didn’t see soap operas as mere stepping stones. He saw them as “building blocks” that taught him hard work and gave him the chance to learn from seasoned actors. Fillion once said on the People’s Choice Awards (via Parade):
I’ve heard daytime [television] be referred to as a stepping stone but I think of daytime as a building block.
He continued,
I’ve never worked so hard, I’ve never worked so much, I’ve never worked with so many experienced actors who were willing to teach. Who were willing to impart their experience, their wisdom, and the mistakes they made. It was all there for the asking. I will never forget any of those people. I am here because of them.
When asked who he wanted to work with again, Fillion’s answer was clear: “All of them.” He especially called out Bob Woods, ex-Bo, hoping to bring him onto The Rookie.
