The entire premise of The Rookie Season 1 was to prove that age is just a number. And John Nolan did well to beat his “mid-life crisis”.
The affable Boy Scout won hearts with his compassion while remaining a headstrong leader on the streets of LA.
However, all good things must come to an end. Nathan Fillion is 54, and Nolan is closing in on 50. And The Rookie has moved on from its initial plot.
Just how much gas is left in his tank before he throws in the towel?
We might think he’s already running on fumes. But if Fillion’s words are anything to go by, Nolan can keep it going for another ten years!
John Nolan’s Run Is Far From Over
John Nolan is the heart and soul of The Rookie. He’s an inspiration.
With sheer determination and hard work, he proved everyone wrong. He has the most Superman-like story and demeanour, and has achieved everything he wished for.
It might seem like his arc has come to a completion (or will be soon). But Nathan Fillion disagrees.
Much like his The Rookie character, he believes he can keep on going for another decade.
“In 10 years, I would like to be just wrapping up The Rookie, maybe handing it off to someone else,” he says in the PEOPLE‘s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive issue.
He adds, “And then spend a soft retirement visiting The Rookie and dabbling in the four to seven Rookie spinoff series that are still going and very, very popular.”
But the concern isn’t how long he can keep being John Nolan. The real question is: Would he still be relevant ten years down the line?
John Nolan Needs to Let Other Rookies Shine
It’s high time the torch found another hand at Mid-Wilshire.
John Nolan’s journey from “the oldest rookie in the world” to the department’s north star has been a masterclass in resilience.
Every relay has its moment to pass the baton. Fresh faces breathe new life into The Rookie, and there’s a changing of the guard underway.
Lucy Chen, once timid, now commands respect as an undercover ace. Celina Juarez’s grit and intuition keep the squad nimble.
Add in the promise of Miles Penn, working hard to carve his own niche. It’s clear Nolan has built a legacy ripe for succession.
Mid-Wilshire isn’t just a three-legged race; it’s a relay now. Nolan, with wisdom and heart, fits best as a coach.
Officers can bow out as early as 50, just when Nolan hits his stride. Fillion, too, is no spring chicken.
There’s a lieutenant’s chair — currently held by Wade Grey — that Nolan could slide into easily.
If he ever decides to lead Mid-Wilshire, his steady hand would be a seamless fit in Grey’s shoes, guiding the new crop with hard-won respect.
Let rookies grow under his wing. Coaching from the sidelines is a true legacy, and a perfect setup for a mentor’s return in future spin-offs.
Nathan Fillion has the Most John Nolan-like retirement Plan
Nathan Fillion and John Nolan are cut from the same homespun cloth. Both are optimists with their eyes set on greener pastures.
Fillion’s retirement plan feels pure Nolan: part wholesome, part ambitious, topped with tropical sunshine.
“I want to have a place on a beach, someplace tropical, where birds are always singing and I can hear the ocean,” he revealed — a vision echoing John and Bailey’s honeymoon that met more chaos than calm.
Picture Nolan and Bailey, finally soaking up rays by the Pacific, war stories swapped, and peace restored.
Their honeymoon, more procedural than paradise, proved they need a break as much as viewers want one for them. If anyone’s earned a spa weekend, it’s this duo.
For now, it seems The Rookie isn’t done with John Nolan, yet.
Whether front and center or cheering from the sidelines, there’s a multi-generational legacy in the making.
Do you think it is the right time for John Nolan to hang up his boots?
Tell us in the comments below!
And if police work keeps you binge-watching late, give Sheriff Country a try!
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