Warning! Spoilers ahead for The Rookie season 8, episode 2, “Fast Andy.”
One original character is running out of time with the Mid-Wilshire Division in The Rookie season 8. After an extended break, ABC’s long-running procedural is finally back for the 2025-2026 TV cycle. Opening with an ambitious international episode, The Rookie season 8 settles into its new normal for episode 2. To make things more complicated, however, the shift is made worse by the President’s Los Angeles visit.
The Rookie’s groundbreaking season 8 premiere case involving Monica has led to FBI agent Matt Garza recruiting a couple of people from Mid-Wilshire. Originally, he asked Nyla Harper to be the bureau’s liaison, as they continue to delve into the case. While the offer seemed lucrative, she had to turn it down. That was when Garza asked Wade Grey for the role. Fresh from his illuminating conversation with his wife, he took the position. By “Fast Andy,” Grey has already been replaced by Tim Bradford as the team’s Watch Commander.
Grey’s New Job Set Him Up For A Permanent Departure From Mid-Wilshire
Richard T Jones as Wade Grey in The Rookie season 8
Technically, Grey just changed positions. There hasn’t been any indication that he is looking to leave. His office remains in the same building — something that he repeats to Tim multiple times as they talk about the transfer of responsibility. Despite this, it’s still a major change for the whole squad, considering how he was their leader throughout the show’s run.
Given his current job and his coordination with the FBI, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he ends up being offered a higher position, perhaps with the bureau, if he and Garza do good work. In fact, it is the organic next step for him at this point in his career. Coming back and reclaiming his old spot would result in various complications, as it will have a domino effect down the line of authority. The Rookie season 8, episode 2 even touches on this briefly when he takes over from Bradford in light of the President’s visit.
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ABC Marks The End Of An Era For The Rookie (& Starts A New Exciting One)
The Rookie season 8 opens with an ambitious premiere, but amid the busy episode, it also quietly ends an era for the show and starts a fresh chapter.
How Grey’s Potential Exit Changes The Rookie’s Future
The Rookie season 8ABC (via MoviesStillsDb)
Easing The Rookie into an era without Grey is an interesting creative decision. Usually, either exits are clearly set up with an end goal or they are done unexpectedly for shock value, especially on network TV. For what it’s worth, The Rookie series creator Alexi Hawley has maintained that this is merely his way of wanting to shake things up and keep things fresh for the show. That said, it’s difficult to shake the feeling that Grey is on his way out, given his personal and professional arcs.
In the event, however, that Grey has to say goodbye to Mid-Wilshire, he will be sorely missed. As beloved as Bradford is, there’s nothing that can replace the history that his predecessor has had with the squad as their fearless leader. Goodbyes are always difficult, but at least The Rookie is giving the character a proper exit narrative. For now, while Grey’s prominence will likely be toned down as he works with the FBI, expect that he will continue to be a presence in the show.
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