Nathan Fillion Talks Return Of The Rookie’s ‘Tricky’ Villain Oscar, And I’m Eager To See What He’s Got Cooking Up For Nolan

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Fans have been waiting a long time, but Season 8 of The Rookie is finally coming in 2026! The new season continues the story right after the dramatic Season 7 finale, where John Nolan (played by Nathan Fillion) was kidnapped by the notorious Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave). This is the first time we’ve seen Hutchinson since he broke out of prison at the end of Season 6. He’s been a thorn in Nolan’s side since the beginning, and it looks like he’s back to cause more trouble. Nathan Fillion hinted at his return, and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds!

What Nathan Fillion Said About Oscar’s Return

Given that Oscar previously kidnapped and almost killed Nolan, it’s unlikely Nolan will be happy to see him again. It’s unclear what will bring Oscar back into Nolan’s life – their past encounters have been caused by a variety of circumstances. Things like Nolan needing Oscar’s help (or the other way around), Oscar donating an organ, and even Oscar escaping from prison have all connected them before. According to an interview with TV Insider, actor Nathan Fillion hinted that Oscar will have a few surprises when he returns.

It’s a difficult balance because the actor who plays Oscar, Matthew Glave, is naturally very likable. He’s always charming, which leads the audience to initially think they like him, even though he’s actually someone you love to hate. Oscar is a truly awful person – even a bit unhinged – and only cares about himself. This makes it tricky because he’s funny and has a dry wit, but Nolan sees right through him. Nolan doesn’t trust Oscar and knows his true nature too well, so he won’t give him a break.

Predicting what Oscar will do is always difficult, particularly because he enjoys teasing Nolan. While details about his return are still a secret, I think The Rookie will come up with a clever way to reintroduce him. However it happens, I’m just happy to see Nolan and Oscar working together again.

Why I’m Eager For Oscar’s Return

Nolan and Oscar have a history – unlike the close partnership of Chenford. Oscar first appeared in Season 1, Episode 15, “Manhunt,” after he tried to steal a car following a prison bus crash. He’s returned several times since then, and each time, Nolan gets increasingly frustrated. Nolan now clearly understands what Oscar is capable of and knows he’s likely to try and escape any situation.

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Oscar Hutchinson is a character you love to root against, but can’t help but enjoy. Even though he’s often a villain, he’s incredibly entertaining to watch, and his scenes usually provide some much-needed comedy. His obsession with Nolan leads him to do crazy things, which make the show more captivating. Oscar’s a villain you actually look forward to seeing, because he adds so much to the show – he might even be a reason why Nathan Fillion enjoys his work so much.

We’ll probably find out more about Oscar’s return soon, but fans will have to keep guessing for now. Also, starting this Monday, The Rookie will be moving to a new timeslot – 10 p.m. Eastern on ABC, right after American Idol. You can still watch episodes the next day on Hulu with a subscription.

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2026-01-24 21:38