Every Officer John Nolan Has Trained on The Rookie and Where They Stand Now

John Nolan’s (Nathan Fillion) evolution on The Rookie has been defined in large part by his role as a training officer, with every rookie under his guidance forging a distinctly different path. In the series’ early seasons, as Nolan navigated his own rookie year alongside Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and the late Jackson West (Titus Makin Jr.), the show centered on their development and the influence of their training officers. Having been mentored first by Talia Bishop (Afton Williams) and later by Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox), Nolan endured his own learning curve before stepping into the trainer’s role.

When Nolan, Chen, and West completed their rookie year, their careers diverged. Nolan opted to become a training officer, eager to mentor the next generation after weathering his own rookie trials. As the oldest rookie in LAPD history, Nolan brought a unique perspective to the position and sought to instill a sense of belonging in his trainees. Over the years, he has shaped numerous officers on The Rookie, leaving a lasting mark on each of their journeys.

6Aaron Thorsen

Season 5

Aaron Thorsen, portrayed by Tru Valentino, arrived at Mid-Wilshire in The Rookie season 4, bringing one of the most compelling backstories in the series. The son of wealthy, high-profile parents, Aaron grew up with privilege before being arrested and accused of murdering his childhood best friend, a charge that brought him intense public scrutiny. After his acquittal, he joined the LAPD determined to ensure no one else would endure a similar injustice. Originally trained by Nyla Harper, Aaron came under Nolan’s supervision when Harper went on maternity leave.

Although Nolan oversaw only the final portion of Aaron’s field training, his impact was significant. Drawing on his own experiences of being underestimated, Nolan helped Aaron transition into the next stage of his career, offering the empathy and understanding Aaron needed to complete his program. Though their time together was brief, Aaron benefited from Nolan’s guidance. After advancing to P2, Aaron left Mid-Wilshire but has occasionally rejoined the team while pursuing a career as a detective.

5Celina Juarez

Season 5-Season 7

Lisseth Chavez’s Celina Juarez joined The Rookie in season 5 as Nolan’s first full-term rookie. From the start, she challenged Nolan’s methods with her instinct to think outside the box, often introducing metaphysical perspectives into the job. Openly spiritual and a believer in astrology, Celina was not the trainee Nolan initially expected, yet her outlook grew on him as he learned more about her life. Having lost her sister at a young age, Celina kept her career a secret from her agoraphobic, grief-stricken mother, who feared the dangers of police work.

As their partnership developed, Nolan discovered how to best support Celina’s growth. He recognized that her intuition allowed her to notice details others might miss, and though he did not always share her methods, he encouraged her to trust her instincts. By helping her process her trauma, Nolan built one of the most trusting relationships on the series. Celina completed her training in season 7, advancing to P2 and remaining at Mid-Wilshire.

4Connor Craig

Season 7

In an unusual arrangement during season 7, Nolan briefly trained a rookie who appeared in just a single episode. Connor Craig, played by David Gridley, was introduced in The Rookie season 7, episode 12, “April Fools,” after transferring to Mid-Wilshire with only one month remaining in his training. Despite being near the end of his program, Connor demonstrated little practical knowledge or skill. He had been working under a retiring sergeant who orchestrated the transfer to avoid failing an unqualified officer, leaving Connor far from prepared for the field.

Nolan voiced his concerns to McAdams about Connor’s inadequate preparation but agreed to work with him. Instead of dismissing the trainee, Nolan gave him a chance to prove himself. The situation grew chaotic when the pair responded to a crisis involving evidence tied to a murder investigation. Connor showed flashes of ability, but his training gaps and limited understanding of the work left Nolan unconvinced. Ultimately, Sergeant Grey assigned Connor to a quieter division to complete his training.

3Seth Ridley

Season 7

Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher) ranks among the most controversial rookies to appear on The Rookie. Initially assigned to Lucy Chen while Nolan worked with Juarez, Ridley entered the FTO program alongside fellow rookie Miles Penn (Deric Augustine) and appeared eager and ready for anything. However, it soon became clear that Ridley struggled with honesty. Lucy repeatedly caught him in lies during their first weeks together, and when the issue became serious, she reported him to Sergeant Grey.

Ridley’s deceptions escalated from minor falsehoods to fabricating a cancer diagnosis, which led to his removal from the FTO program. He later exploited a legal loophole to gain readmission and was reassigned to Nolan instead of Lucy, despite Nolan’s reservations. Their working relationship proved difficult, and shortly after Ridley’s return, he was shot in the line of duty and lost his leg. Following a brief appearance in season 8, Ridley is unlikely to return to the series.

2Miles Penn

Season 8

Like Ridley, Miles Penn worked under several training officers during his rookie period. He began with Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), a veteran trainer known for his tough standards. Penn was an unusual case, having already served as a police officer in Texas. Completing the Los Angeles academy and another year of training represented a step back in his career, and he struggled to adapt to new methods while feeling he already understood the job. After starting with Bradford, Penn transferred to Nolan when Bradford assumed watch commander duties.

Nolan and Penn worked together only briefly before Penn went on administrative leave, but the period remained important to his development. Nolan recognized Penn as a capable officer capable of continued growth. Upon returning from leave, Penn continued his training under Harper and is expected to remain part of the series in The Rookie season 9.

1Stephanie “Stevie” Monroe

Season 9

Although The Rookie season 9 will not premiere until mid-season on January 6, 2027, details have already emerged about Nolan’s next trainee. Troian Bellisario will join the series as Stephanie “Stevie” Monroe, a single mother in her 30s. Series creator Alexi Hawley revealed that Monroe chose law enforcement after her divorce, seeking a new direction following the end of a difficult relationship.

Little is known about how Nolan and Monroe will interact or what their storyline will entail, but her background makes her a compelling addition to Mid-Wilshire. As a mother, Monroe brings a home life very different from Nolan’s previous trainees. At the same time, Nolan can relate to her as a parent, and both entered law enforcement following personal upheaval. Season 9 will usher in an entirely new chapter for Nolan.

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