The landscape of the Mid-Wilshire Division in ABC’s hit procedural, The Rookie, is known for its constant flux. Promotions, demotions, career changes, and new recruits keep John Nolan and his colleagues on their toes. But as the show heads into its highly anticipated Season 8, one particular new “team member” is poised to ignite more fan fury and frustration than any previous character, even the infamous Seth Ridley.
That character is none other than the brilliant, morally bankrupt former defense attorney, Monica Stevens (played by Bridget Regan).
Seth Ridley, Lucy Chen’s deceitful rookie from Season 7, drew plenty of ire from the fanbase. His initial ineptitude was forgivable, but his compulsive lying—culminating in him faking a cancer recurrence to avoid consequences—made him instantly detestable. His tragic arc ended with him losing his leg and leaving the force, a karmic conclusion that, for many, was a relief.
However, Seth’s villainy pales in comparison to the sheer, calculated menace Monica Stevens represents. And the reason you’ll despise her now more than ever? Because she’s not in prison—she’s been forced onto Nolan’s side, making her untouchable and a constant, venomous presence in the squad’s world.
From Antagonist to Asset: Monica’s Immunity Deal
Monica Stevens has been a thorn in the side of the LAPD and the District Attorney’s office since her introduction in Season 5. Initially a ruthlessly effective defense attorney for high-profile criminals like Elijah Stone, Monica repeatedly outmaneuvered Wesley Evers and Angela Lopez. Her ambition eventually saw her cross the line from a manipulative lawyer to a full-blown criminal, orchestrating jailbreaks, leveraging dangerous information, and becoming a serious recurring antagonist.
The dramatic twist in the Season 7 finale revealed her ultimate power play: securing a full immunity deal with the federal government. Using stolen, highly sensitive information—blackmail on a massive scale—Monica leveraged national security secrets to ensure her own freedom from prosecution for her numerous past crimes.
The catch? Part of her deal involves “cooperating.” She’s been effectively forced to join an LAPD-FBI task force led by Nolan and Special Agent Matt Garza, where she must use her criminal connections and brilliant, deceptive mind to help them catch other bad guys.
This is where the frustration boils over for both the fictional officers and the viewers.
Why Monica is More Hated Than Seth Ridley
The hate for Seth Ridley was straightforward: he was a dishonest rookie whose deceit directly impacted the main characters, specifically Lucy Chen. He was annoying, a liability, and ultimately, a weak character who got his just deserts.
The hatred for Monica Stevens runs deeper. It’s rooted in injustice, impunity, and genuine, ongoing threat.
1. The Insult of Impunity
The primary source of fan outrage is the fact that Monica has gotten away with it all. She’s implicated in multiple murders (including her direct involvement in the death of a rival attorney), she helped Oscar Hutchinson and Bailey’s ex-husband, Jason Wyler, escape from prison, and she worked for mob bosses. Her actions have had devastating, long-term consequences for the Mid-Wilshire team.
For John Nolan, Wesley Evers, and the entire squad to have to work alongside the woman who actively tried to ruin their lives, and who remains untouchable due to her immunity, is a monumental slap in the face. Seth’s lies were personal annoyances; Monica’s crimes are matters of life, death, and national security. Her presence is a permanent, daily reminder that justice, in her case, has failed.
2. A Calculated, Cunning Threat
Seth was a mess-up; Monica is a master manipulator with a razor-sharp intellect. Showrunner Alexi Hawley has teased that her new role on the task force will be a “weird thing,” and Nathan Fillion described her as “the one you love to hate.” Unlike a former rookie who might be redeemed, Monica’s motives are purely self-serving. Her cooperation is a condition of her freedom, not a change of heart.
Fans rightly anticipate that Monica will use her privileged position to further her own agenda, collect more leverage, or even actively undermine the team for her benefit. Her proximity to the squad only increases the danger, making her an active, internal threat far more unsettling than an external villain. She’s a snake inside the henhouse.
3. The Lack of True Redemption
While The Rookie has successfully redeemed some characters, a complete turnaround for Monica Stevens seems nearly impossible, which only heightens the fan’s hatred. She hasn’t shown a shred of remorse or a desire for a moral correction. Her “redemption” arc is transactional—she helps the good guys only because she has to, not because she wants to be one of them.
This forced partnership guarantees intense conflict and distrust. Every time she offers “help,” the audience (and Nolan’s team) will be forced to question her true motives, creating a constant, aggravating tension.
What Monica Stevens Means for Season 8
The introduction of Monica Stevens as a reluctant anti-hero on the team is a risky but brilliant narrative gamble by The Rookie writers. It forces our heroes into a morally grey area and provides a compelling new source of dramatic conflict:
- Intense Personal Stakes: The most direct impact will be on Wesley Evers, her former colleague and on-again-off-again flame. His anger over her betrayal and criminality is personal, making every interaction a powder keg.
- The Unreliable Ally: Monica’s role in the LAPD-FBI task force means she will be essential to their work, yet completely untrustworthy. This will generate thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamics, as Nolan and his team try to manage, contain, and predict her next move.
- A “Love to Hate” Character: Much like past fan-favorite villains like Rosalind Dyer, Monica is a character you love to watch fail . Her intelligence and composure make her a formidable foe, and the audience’s desire to see her finally receive justice will drive significant engagement throughout Season 8.
The outrage over Monica’s immunity deal and her forced presence on the team is exactly the kind of high-stakes, controversial storytelling The Rookie thrives on. It confirms that the show isn’t afraid to challenge its heroes and frustrate its audience for the sake of compelling television.
Get ready, Rookies. Monica Stevens is coming to work, and you’re going to hate every brilliantly manipulative minute of it. She represents the ultimate failure of the justice system—and the most dangerous new asset the LAPD has ever had. She is, without a doubt, the character you’ll despise more than Seth, and who will define the dramatic tension of Season 8.
