UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, cast member Bridget Regan was hospitalized while filming Season 8 of “The Rookie” in Prague, Czech Republic. Series star Nathan Fillion confirmed the alarming incident to People, revealing that Regan suffered from severe food poisoning.
Filming for the highly anticipated season kicked off in the picturesque city, but the experience took a turn for the worse for Regan, who plays attorney/criminal Monica Stevens. According to Fillion, the cast had an “incredible time” shooting abroad, but Regan’s health scare disrupted production.
In a heartfelt statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, Regan recounted her harrowing ordeal, stating, “Working in Prague on ‘The Rookie’ was extraordinary, though I was a bit unlucky and got hit with some truly nasty food poisoning.” She expressed gratitude for the “incredible care” she received from the hospital staff and the on-set medic, saying, “I was patched up enough to get back on my feet.”
Regan emphasized her appreciation for her co-stars, specifically thanking Fillion and Jenna Dewan, who plays Fillion’s character’s wife, Bailey Nune. “The ‘Rookie’ family is a family in every sense,” she added.
The incident raises questions as the show gears up for its Season 8 premiere on January 6, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. The police procedural follows Fillion’s character, who joins the Los Angeles Police Department in his 40s after a divorce. Regan’s character, who has been part of the series since Season 5, secured an immunity deal last season by aiding the LAPD, which complicates the dynamics with Fillion’s character.
Fillion hinted at the tensions in the upcoming episodes, stating that “it frustrates Nolan to no end” to collaborate with a character as “smug” and “criminal” as Regan’s. “The storyline is we have to go to make sure she does what she’s supposed to do and help us here, which of course goes wrong in lots of different ways,” he explained.
The ensemble cast also features Alyssa Diaz (Angela Lopez), Richard T. Jones (Wade Grey), Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen), Eric Winter (Tim Bradford), Mekia Cox (Nyla Harper), Shawn Ashmore (Wesley Evers), Lisseth Chavez (Celina Juarez), and Deric Augustine (Miles Penn).
Fans can expect the first episode to explore intense themes and character dynamics as the new season unfolds. Episodes will also be available for streaming on Hulu the day after they air. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
