Matthew Glave’s Oscar Hutchinson ended the Season 7 finale of The Rookie in the wind despite the best efforts of Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion). Spanning over half a dozen seasons, The Rookie has introduced several side characters and villains who have, in their time as part of the ABC procedural, added to the show’s value. Glave’s Oscar has been a recurring villain and, despite the assumption that he had been bagged, he ultimately finished the season beyond the reach of the LAPD. Showrunner Alexi Hawley was quizzed on why this particular villain had persisted, and it would seem like the actor’s ability on screen is a huge factor.
In The Rookie Season 7 finale, Oscar takes Fillion’s Nolan captive with Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) on his tail and coming to John’s rescue. Oscar would end up making his escape in a helicopter right before Nyla could wrap her fingers around him. Speaking with ScreenRant, Hawley reveals that while the villain Oscar was conceived as a short-term plan, Glave’s performances have since ensured the character keeps returning.
“Matthew is so brilliant, and it’s one of those cases that we’ve been lucky to have multiple times across the series. You write a character that, in theory, is meant to be a one-off, and then you cast an actor who comes in and is amazing, and you’re like, ‘I want to see them again.'”
Season 7 also featured the return of Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee), Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) abusive and criminal ex-husband, who skipped prison in Season 6 and returned in the just-concluded season to meet his demise. Hawley seems enamored by Glave’s Oscar, and while he admits that the villain can’t run free forever, he is likely to return to wreak some havoc in Season 8. “And so Oscar has always been a joy and a nemesis and super fun, but also really dangerous,” Hawley adds, “I always love when we can bring him back. I don’t think we can keep him out there forever, just sort of not getting caught. So what is the next chapter of Oscar’s journey in Season 8, and where does it go? I don’t know yet, but we’ll definitely see him again.”
‘The Rookie’ Season 8 Will Present Another Familiar Villain’s Return
The Rookie – Monica Stevens meets with Oscar Hutchinson in an interrogation room
Oscar wasn’t the only one returning to his villainous ways in The Rookie Season 7 finale. Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) finally made her return during the episode “Speed,” revealing that the bus heist was all a cover for her elaborate plan. The season finale revealed that the top-secret-government intel she stole was used to earn her legal immunity ahead of Season 8. “I do think that it’s enraging and many other things to our cops who have been trying to get her for a full season now, and the fact that she’s now untouchable for her past crimes is really incredibly frustrating,” was how Hawley described the feeling within the Mid-Wilshire division regarding her deal.
