Zander Hawley Discusses The Rookie Season 8 Return & New Single ‘Caroline’

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I recently chatted with Zander Hawley, who plays Rodge Bronson on The Rookie. He’s coming back for season 8 – you might remember him as Celina Juarez’s musician boyfriend. We talked about his return, and also his new single, “Caroline.” Now, if you’re a fan of the show, you probably already know Zander from his hilarious song, “Daddy Cop,” which basically is the show’s unofficial theme song. He’s a fun guy, and I’m excited to see what Rodge brings to the next season!

What started as a fun, one-time appearance has become a recurring role for actor Hawley on The Rookie. He’s now been in nine episodes since season 5. Even though his character, Rodge, doesn’t always share major scenes with the show’s leads, Hawley has enjoyed the chance to learn from the rest of the cast during his time on set.

Musician Nathan Fielder, also known as Gary, has been consistently releasing his own music for several years, with his latest single, “Caroline,” released on March 20th. In a conversation with Ebaster, he talked about his experience working on The Rookie, learning to write music from his character’s perspective, and how he keeps his personal artistic work separate from what audiences see in the show.

Zander Hawley’s Back On The Rookie, And He’s Doing More Than “Daddy Cop”

Ebaster began by mentioning The Rookie. He then asked Zander about the unexpectedly rapid popularity of his “Daddy Cop” persona, wanting to know Zander’s first thoughts on its quick success.

It’s actually pretty funny timing. I was finishing up my most emotionally heavy album when that episode aired [laughs]. I honestly thought the song and the scene we filmed would just be a quick, three-second joke. I enjoyed it and was proud of it, but I didn’t expect it to blow up the way it did. Being on the show was already incredible – the peak of everything – but the reaction to that moment was completely unexpected.

At first, I was a little frustrated – I thought, ‘Why aren’t people listening to my music and my feelings expressed there?’ But what actually happened was amazing. It showed me that people were genuinely open to me being completely myself in my songs, letting my whole personality shine through. I’d always felt pressured to be a certain type of sensitive singer-songwriter, the kind I admired when I was starting out. But this song gave me permission to fully embrace that side of myself, and even go beyond it. It was such a shift that I realized people didn’t just tolerate me being more personal, they actually wanted it. That really unlocked my writing and allowed me to be more authentic in all my music.

Ebaster: We love a learning moment.

Zander Hawley: We do [laughs].

You’ve become a regular on The Rookie, particularly with Celina’s storyline. What’s it been like working with Lisseth Chavez?

Zander Hawley: Oh, man, she’s the best. I could go on and on about her.

I appeared as ‘Daddy Cop’ twice before – once in season five and again for the show’s 100th episode in season six. Those were simple appearances: I’d perform a song and then leave. When I was asked to return for season seven, I initially thought it would be another quick appearance – just a song and a brief joke with Nathan Fillion at a party. But then I learned how much more involved the role would be, and I became really intimidated because I realized I wasn’t prepared for it.

I was so nervous before my first day on set, but Nathan was sweet enough to give me a quick FaceTime pep talk and some advice. But Lisseth? She really went above and beyond, and still does. She’d run lines with me over FaceTime whenever she had a free moment, even with her own crazy filming schedule – it was incredibly generous. We just clicked, honestly, and I think she’s a genuinely wonderful person. She’s such a talented actress, and I feel so lucky to be working and learning from her. What I really appreciate is how collaborative she is. She never tells me what to do, but instead shares how she would approach a scene and then asks for my input. It makes me feel like a real partner in the process, not just someone being told what to do, and I can’t thank her enough.

That sounds wonderful! And about Rodge and Celina – can you give us a little hint about what’s next for them as a couple?

Zander Hawley discusses a relationship in season 8 where one partner moves to Finland, creating a long-distance challenge early on. Despite the distance and the newness of the relationship, they genuinely like each other. He particularly appreciates a scene where he returns to find her with another man, noting the lack of typical dramatic conflict. The writers handled it calmly, focusing on the couple’s choice to navigate the situation without accusations, which he feels accurately reflects their dynamic.

They’re still adjusting to being around each other, especially now that he’s home from tour, and it requires effort. In an upcoming episode, Rodge gives her a gift that brings up some difficult emotions they need to address. Later in the season, they’ll face a challenge that really tests how well they communicate.

It’s great to have you back on the show! With this new music, is Rodge exploring some different sounds and directions?

There’s another song that feels like it belongs to Rodge, definitely. [Laughs] It’s not really a song I would normally write. What was interesting about this one was how different it was from Rodge’s usual style. It had been a while since I’d written like that, and I’d been focusing on a more polished, pop sound with my last album, See You In The Light, where I really tried to create a specific mood with every song. Since then, my songwriting has been moving towards something simpler, more honest, and more down-to-earth, which was really enjoyable.

My new song, “Caroline,” really showcases what I’m aiming for – raw honesty and openness. It’s a straightforward telling of a story, and I think its simplicity is what makes it connect with listeners. Being in that headspace actually helped me branch out and write a different kind of song, something in the vein of my previous tracks like “Daddy Cop” (for Nolan) and “911” (for Celina). This one’s dedicated to another character, but I can’t reveal who just yet! [laughs]

I’m excited to explore that further. And since we mentioned “Caroline”, I’d really like to know more about your upcoming music plans.

That song felt fresh and different – like I was discovering a new approach to writing, which was really exciting. It came after a busy period where I was releasing both my album and the song “911” from The Rookie, and I was feeling very connected to people online. So, it was wonderful to then have this peaceful moment – just one evening in my apartment, watching the sunset, and letting the song come naturally. I didn’t feel the pressure to make it fit a certain style, like I sometimes do when writing for Rodge or trying to create a consistent sound for my previous album.

It just felt like something special, so I decided to record it. I always record my music in Seattle with a fantastic producer named Andy Park. I initially planned to record “Caroline” as a single song, release it, and then take a break. But we ended up finishing a full 10-song album this past weekend! It really started when I found a new and easier way of writing – it felt more honest and I wasn’t putting pressure on myself. That actually made the process a lot more fun. I honestly think this new album is even better than my last one, and I believe “Caroline” is one of the best songs I’ve ever written. I can’t wait to share it all with everyone.

That’s wonderful news! Beyond your work as Rodge, what kind of music and artistry can your audience look forward to seeing from you personally?

I’m really proud of this album – I think it’s my best work so far. Working with the same musicians again – Andy and the rest of the group – lets us build on our existing connection and really understand each other’s strengths. That allows us to create something truly unique and special. The songs are a lot of fun and really memorable, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them.

New episodes of The Rookie season 8 air Mondays at 10pm ET/PT on ABC.

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2026-03-28 00:42