While criminals and serial killers appear in every episode of procedurals, only some of them stand out. That’s why fans appreciateThe Rookieso much. Corny yet sweet John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) may be the main character, and he may be surrounded by equally likable characters like Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), butthe ABC series has some excellent villains. No matter how many cases the LAPD officers solve quickly (and that happens in every episode, of course), there is always at least one bad guy waiting in the wings.
AlthoughThe Rookieseason 8 won’t premiere until January 2026, fans are already thinking about potential storylines and returning characters. Showrunner Alexi Hawley recently shared thatone villain who viewers know and love will come back next season, and it’s exciting to imagine all the story possibilities.
Oscar Will Appear Again After The Rookie Season 7 Finale & That’s Great News
Fans were fully invested inOscar Hutchinson’s return inThe Rookieseason 7 finale, and showrunner Alexi Hawley saidOscar will appear again inThe Rookieseason 8.In an interview withDeadline, Hawley explained:
“We’ll definitely see him again. We can only get so many bites of the apple of him getting away, so I think we’ll see some resolution in some shape or form next year. But look, we love Matthew…”
Hawley continued:
“He was a prisoner, escaped from a prison, bus crash, and then he just popped on screen, and you’re like, oh, I want to see that guy again. Honestly, it’s the joy of network television, and doing as many episodes as we get to do. You really can develop characters and bring characters along…”
It’s true that if Nolan failed to catch Oscar for good inThe Rookieseason 8, the show might become stale. But, based on Hawley’s comments,fans can anticipate an exciting Oscar storyline next season. Sincethe end ofThe Rookieseason 7 finaleshowed the comeback of another villain, Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan), perhaps Oscar and Monica are working together. After all, Oscar did mention Monica briefly when he was trying to kill Nolan in the desert,a scene which had the vibe of an action movie, as Hawley said in an interview.
While it would be too repetitive if Nolan and Oscar ended up in a remote location together inThe Rookieseason 8 finale, maybe Nolan will get a clue about Oscar’s location halfway through the season. Nolan always enjoys the chance to act as a detective, and there’sa great opportunity for another hilarious exchange between these two characterswho hate each other and often exchange clever banter. SinceNolan’s wife Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), wasn’t part of Oscar’s storyline inThe Rookieseason 7 finale, it would be particularly dramatic if Bailey and Nolan looked for Oscar together. Bailey is intelligent and interesting but mostly used as a side character, and she would definitely shine in a more action-packed plotline.
Oscar’s Storyline Might Conclude With The Rookie Season 8
In an interview withUs Weekly, Alexi Hawley said the writers are thinking about Oscar’s “end game.” He said the show"can’t keep going back to the well of him escaping."
It’s always entertaining when old characters come back, and many were captivated bySeth Ridley’s (Patrick Keheler) returnas his arc felt unfinished. But, just like it would be great to see Seth redeem himself in one more episode, Oscar’s time on the show might be almost up. No matter how funny and engaging he is, it’s hard to imagine this villain’s story beyondThe Rookieseason 8. It might betime to let him go and focus on a new characterso the series continues to feel fresh.
