As The Rookie enters its seventh season, Jenna Dewan is pulling back the curtain on one of the show’s most emotionally complex storylines to date. Dewan’s character, Bailey Nune, finds herself at a major turning point—grappling with the trauma of an abusive ex-husband and the morally gray choices she makes to protect herself.
In recent episodes, Bailey makes a drastic decision to hire someone to eliminate Jason, her dangerous ex-husband, after he resurfaces and begins threatening her safety. The fallout from this choice deeply impacts her relationship with her husband, John Nolan (played by Nathan Fillion), who is shaken by the revelation and Bailey’s secrecy.
Speaking with TV Insider and TheWrap, Dewan dove into the emotional weight of this storyline, calling it one of the most vulnerable arcs Bailey has faced.
“Bailey has always been strong and capable,” Dewan explained. “But this season, we see the cracks—the fear, the self-doubt, the pain she’s tried to suppress for so long. What makes this arc powerful is that Bailey finally stops pretending she’s fine and lets herself be human.”
A pivotal moment occurs when Bailey meets Diana, a worker at a women’s shelter, who helps her confront the truth about her past. For the first time, Bailey begins to understand that she wasn’t just in a bad relationship—she was a victim of abuse. This realization is a catalyst for growth and change, allowing her to begin opening up, not just to herself, but also to Nolan.
“That scene with Diana is where it all shifts,” Dewan said. “Bailey realizes she’s not alone. That she doesn’t have to be tough all the time. That she deserves peace.”
Following this emotional reckoning, Bailey and Nolan reconnect, acknowledging the emotional distance that had formed between them and promising to rebuild trust together. Dewan emphasized that while the danger may be gone, Bailey’s emotional healing is just beginning.
“Bailey will still struggle,” she shared. “But now, she’s not doing it in silence. She has Nolan, she has support, and most importantly—she has herself.”
Looking ahead, Dewan hinted that fans can expect to see a more layered version of Bailey as she moves forward in both her personal life and career as an EMT. Her story isn’t just about survival—it’s about reclaiming control and embracing vulnerability.
“She’s going to come out stronger,” Dewan said. “Maybe not in the way people expect, but in a way that’s very real and powerful.”
Season 7 of The Rookie promises more than high-stakes action. Through Bailey’s story, the show is exploring deeper emotional territory, shedding light on the complexities of trauma, healing, and the strength it takes to move forward. Thanks to Dewan’s grounded performance, Bailey Nune is becoming one of the series’ most compelling and relatable characters yet.
