ABC police procedural The Rookie is known for its engaging cold opens and long string of familiar guest stars who have appeared during the show’s five seasons. The Rookie‘s abundant guest talent is partly due to its Los Angeles setting offering a hotspot for celebrity cameos. Nathan Fillion’s extensive TV and film career also helps to facilitate the star-studded lineup. His connections with a wide range of actors make it possible to recruit familiar faces for an episode of cops and robbers.
From established actors to today’s biggest stars, The Rookie brings together a diverse ensemble, setting it apart from other network series. Reflecting on the show’s history, famous guest list, and captivating premise, it is evident that The Rookie offers a unique blend of talent and storytelling. With so many guest stars appearing in The Rookie, however, it becomes easy for one or ten of them to slip the mind.
10 Felicia Day
Felicia Day rose to fame in 2007 with her series The Guild, and rose higher when Joss Whedon, facilitated by the 2008 writers’ strike, created Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. In that project, Day took on the role of Penny, while Whedon’s other Firefly lead, Nathan Fillion, portrayed Captain Hammer. The Rookie provided an exciting opportunity for these former co-stars to reunite in season 1 when Felicia Day portrayed Dr. Morgan, a CDC specialist tasked with briefing the team on infectious diseases. This reunion was a fun nod to the relationship Fillion and Day shared years prior.
9 Molly Quinn
After spending eight seasons as father and daughter on Castle, Nathan Fillion and Molly Quinn had the opportunity to reunite on The Rookie. Their dynamic this time was far from the affectionate relationship Castle audiences had grown accustomed to. Quinn took on the role of Ashley, leaving behind DNA evidence at a failed con job, exposing her as the estranged daughter of recurring criminal Oscar Hutchinson. While Molly Quinn’s The Rookie cameo was warmly welcomed, even more intriguing was the reversal of roles, as she portrayed a more antagonistic character compared to her Castle days.
8 Mario Lopez
Often considered the best The Rookie episode, “Greenlight” featured a memorable cameo by Mario Lopez, in which the Saved By The Bell star and TV host portrayed himself. During a routine traffic stop by Officers Chen and Bradford, Lopez attempted to charm his way out of a traffic violation. This amusing cameo played on the common celebrity trope of trying to evade trouble by calling upon fame. Witnessing Lopez’s sense of humor in this situation was highly memorable, and added another enjoyable surprise to the list of fun moments that The Rookie is known for.
7 Alan Tudyk
The cult-favorite Firefly series starred both Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk, and the two shared an onscreen reunion in The Rookie. Tudyk, also a close friend of Fillion’s, made guest appearances by taking on the role of Ellroy Basso, a crime scene cleaner, in two episodes. Their first encounter occurred in the “Clean Cut” episode of The Rookie season 2, where Ellroy crossed paths with Officer Nolan. During a crime scene incident, they both came under attack from assailants. Later on, Ellroy and his new dispatcher girlfriend teamed up with Nolan and his firefighter fiancée when Nolan was assigned a case at the border.
6 Emily Deschanel
In The Rookie‘s pilot episode, John Nolan mentioned his commitment to staying in his troubled marriage until his son left for college. Portrayed by Emily Deschanel – known for her role in another crime procedural series, Bones – Nolan’s estranged ex-wife finally entered the picture. Their son, Henry, faced a critical moment when he required emergency heart surgery after collapsing. In one of the saddest moments of The Rookie, Sarah appeared in the show to support their son during this difficult time. While their meeting was brief, her presence added significant depth to Nolan’s character.
5 Joel McHale
During The Rookie‘s early episodes, the inclusion of guest stars provided a convenient way for John Nolan and his colleagues to engage with various one-off conflicts. Among these guests, Joel McHale stood out as one of the most prominent, showcasing his trademark sarcasm. In the episode “The Shake Up,” Nolan and Bradford received an assignment to safeguard a former border patrol agent, portrayed by McHale, who had turned to human trafficking. Observing Nolan and Bradford’s interactions with McHale’s character proves endlessly entertaining until a cartel intervenes, tracing him through GPS and leading to an ambush.
4 Frankie Muniz
Seeing Malcolm in the Middle’s Frankie Muniz on TV is a rare event indeed, but The Rookie provided a brief opportunity to see the former child actor on the small screen following his semi-retirement from acting. In The Rookie season 3’s “True Crime,” Muniz played Corey Harris, a child actor with a cult following that viewed him as their leader, Jedediah. Unfortunately, Harris did not make it through the whole episode, ending up murdered by a serial killer’s accomplice. While brief, watching Muniz acting and enjoying it was a pleasure few other shows could make a reality.
3 Pete Davidson
Nathan Fillion and Pete Davidson crossed paths while working on The Suicide Squad, sparking a conversation that ultimately led to Davidson making a guest appearance on The Rookie (via ET). Davidson portrayed Pete Nolan, John Nolan’s half-brother. Despite their differences, they found common ground in the shared pain inflicted by their father. John’s support helped Pete to navigate the challenges of impending parenthood – a role their dad failed to fulfill. Though the expected baby never arrived, these moments between siblings came across as dearly heartwarming. The Rookie securing Pete during the peak of his fame was a pleasant surprise, and his onscreen appearances proved to be just as impressive.
2 Will.i.am
Will.i.am, multi-talented artist and The Black Eyed Peas musician, made a guest appearance in “The Checklist,” portraying himself. During the rookies’ pursuit of a specific crime spree in order to qualify for their final exam within a tight 48-hour window, Nolan and Bishop responded to a silent alarm call at a residence with an unidentified owner. When they arrived, the homeowner turned out to be Will.i.am, who was less than amused by the intrusion of two cops into his yard. Will.i.am’s The Rookie appearance was a fun cameo that added to the charm of the show, and highlighted the many types of viewers it appeals to.
1 Kelly Clarkson
The Rookie season 5 episode “Death Notice” saw Kelly Clarkson join the list of the show’s most memorable guest stars. This cameo took nearly a year to come to fruition. The cast of The Rookie appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and teased that a guest spot was on its way. Eight months later, The Rookie put Clarkson in one of its best cold opens to date. While her appearance was perhaps not as surprising as other cameos from The Rookie‘s past, her presence still encapsulated the show’s tone and penchant for a pitch-perfect celebrity guest spot.
Sources: ET
