Captain Zoe Andersen, played by Mercedes Mason, started on The Rookie as a major regular character. Naturally, fans were shocked when she was killed in Season 1, Episode 16, “Greenlight.” The episode delivered an unexpected twist when Andersen received a fatal wound during a shootout against a criminal gang. She was the first series regular to leave, but she wasn’t the last. Surprising and tragic, her death was used to set a precedent that no character is ever safe from consequences in The Rookie.
Andersen’s death strongly affected series protagonist John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion, who had grown close to his commanding officer. His inability to fit into the police force as a geriatric rookie was a big part of the first-season premise of the show. It’s also not uncommon for dramas to kill off characters, and The Rookie has killed off more than one. However, Andersen’s death rubbed viewers the wrong way. It occurred early in the series, and she was as well-loved by the audience as by the show’s characters.
Updated by Alex Roush on September 20, 2024: Captain Zoe Anderson was an important part of The Rookie’s earlier seasons, and her death still affects fans today
Before the events of The Rookie, Zoe Andersen previously served in the Marines and the United States Pentagon Police Force. After joining the Los Angeles Police Department, she proved a hard worker and dedicated officer, distinguishing herself from other rookies and rising through the ranks. When she became a captain, Andersen wanted to change the police force for the better. She strongly believed in leading by compassion and held her officers accountable for their actions. In the pilot episode, she revealed that she had personally requested Nolan for her unit, a show of faith the character hadn’t yet gotten from his peers on the force.
