The popular ABC procedural drama ‘The Rookie’ is preparing for its upcoming seventh season, but fans will notice the absence of a familiar face. Tru Valentino, who portrayed the TikTok-famous officer Aaron Thorsen, will not be returning as a series regular when the show resumes in 2025. Valentino’s exit was confirmed by TVLine, marking the latest in a series of cast changes for the show.
Valentino joined ‘The Rookie’ in Season 4 as a recurring character before being promoted to a series regular in Season 5. His character, Aaron Thorsen, quickly became a fan favorite due to his unique backstory. Thorsen was a social media sensation who had been acquitted of a high-profile murder charge before deciding to turn his life around by joining the LAPD’s Mid-Wilshire Division as a rookie cop. Throughout his time on the show, Thorsen was primarily mentored by Detective Nyla Harper (played by Mekia Cox) and occasionally by the series’ lead character, Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion).
As Valentino departs, ‘The Rookie’ is set to introduce two new characters in Season 7. Deric Augustine joins as Miles, a transfer from Texas who, despite having two years of experience, is still considered a rookie at the LAPD. Additionally, Patrick Keleher will portray Seth, a character whose inability to make quick decisions could pose challenges in his new role as a police officer.
The join returning cast members include Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune and Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez. The show’s creator and executive producer, Alexi Hawley, has been instrumental in its development and continues to lead the production as the series heads into its seventh season.
Valentino’s departure is not the first major cast change ‘The Rookie’ has experienced. The show has seen several key characters leave over its six seasons. Mercedes Masohn was the first series regular to exit when her character, Captain Zoe Andersen, was killed off in a shocking moment during Season 1. Afton Williamson, who played Officer Talia Bishop, left the series ahead of Season 2 amid allegations of harassment and racial discrimination on set. More recently, Titus Makin’s character, Officer Jackson West, was written out of the show in the Season 4 premiere, with his death being revealed after the cliffhanger ending of Season 3.
ABC has confirmed that ‘The Rookie’ will return for its seventh season in 2025, although it will not be part of the network’s fall lineup. Instead, the show is being held for a midseason release, with 18 episodes planned to air without any breaks. This scheduling strategy, according to Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich, is designed to build momentum with consecutive weeks of new episodes, a tactic that has proven successful in keeping audiences engaged.
Stay tuned for more updates on ‘The Rookie’ Season 7, and catch up on previous seasons now streaming on Hulu.