“In Light of Alan Tudyk’s Comment, Season 8 of The Rookie Has the Perfect Way to Welcome Him Back”

The Rookie has featured many famous guest stars over the years, including Alan Tudyk, who hasn’t appeared in the show since season 4 but could return in season 8 under one condition. Alexi Hawley’s ABC police procedural series introduced Tudyk’s character, Ellroy Basso, in season 2, episode 8. He was working as a crime scene cleaner when he encountered Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan. The two Rookie characters form a bond, and Nolan even introduces Ellroy to his crush, Nell Forester (a dispatcher at Mid-Wilshire). Tudyk reprises his role during the season 4 finale, but Ellroy hasn’t been seen since then.

The Rookie season 8 won’t premiere until early 2026 (likely in January, if season 7’s release date is any indication). It will contain 18 episodes that air weekly with no interruptions, with a possible exception or two, depending on outside factors .

In spring 2025, Tudyk spoke with Screen Rant about his potential return to The Rookie while on the red carpet for the season 4 premiere of his Syfy show, Resident Alien. He said, “If they come up with an idea, I’ll be there.” Tudyk is evidently open to rejoining the cast of The Rookie, even though it has been three seasons since he appeared in an episode. However, there has to be a decent reason for him to come back. The good news is that I have the perfect idea that could set the scene for Tudyk’s return as Ellroy.

Tudyk’s Character Ellroy Basso Is A Surprisingly Capable Fighter
Ellroy Surprised Nolan With His Fighting Skills In The Rookie Season 4
After Ellroy came face to face with two criminals while working alongside Nolan at a crime scene in season 2, episode 8, he decided he wanted to learn how to protect himself. So, when Tudyk returns in The Rookie season 4 finale, his character is much stronger and capable than before. Ellroy and his girlfriend, Nell (played by Sara Rue), join Nolan and Bailey Nune when the protagonist gets sent to the border for a job. There, they run into problems that allow Ellroy to showcase his fighting skills.

More specifically, Ellroy started practicing tai chi following the events of his first episode of The Rookie. So, when Nolan and another officer face off against a gang in the season 4 finale, Ellroy comes to their aid. He impresses Nolan with his efficient physical combat skills as he is able to easily (and calmly) take down one of the criminals attacking them. Unfortunately, this is the last time we have seen Ellroy in a fight. However, Tudyk could return in future seasons of The Rookie and continue showing off his self-defense methods.

Tudyk Could Cameo In The Rookie Season 8 As A Civilian Consultant & Trainer
Ellroy’s Fighting Skills Could Come In Handy
Given the events of The Rookie season 4 finale, Tudyk could reprise his role as Ellroy in season 8 to help teach the newbies the art of tai chi. Since Deric Augustine’s Miles Penn is the only rookie that we know of who will appear in the upcoming season, it stands to reason that the show will introduce more first-year police officers. Nolan needs a replacement rookie for Celina, after all. Following Celina’s graduation from the FTO program in season 7, Nolan has struggled to find a permanent new trainee, but hopefully that will change in season 8.

Ellroy could very easily become a sort of civilian consultant to teach the new Rookie characters hand-to-hand combat. Of course, most of them would have learned about that while in the academy. However, Ellroy has a unique set of skills that could help rookies further their expertise, resulting in their success. Perhaps this reasoning behind Ellroy’s hypothetical return is a bit out there, but it might be the best way to bring Tudyk back to the ABC police procedural series.

Unfortunately, Tudyk’s The Rookie Return Could Only Ever Be A One-Off Cameo
The bad news is that Tudyk has a busy schedule that limits his time when it comes to reprising his role as Ellroy in The Rookie. He has a leading role in the sci-fi comedy-drama series Resident Alien and is involved in numerous animated projects (e.g., Harley Quinn, Transformers: EarthSpark, WondLa, Creature Commandos, and more). Tudyk is known for his voice roles, and he still has many that are ongoing. Nevertheless, it might be difficult for Tudyk to find time in his schedule to pop over to The Rookie for an episode, but it’s not impossible.

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