{"id":148616,"date":"2026-01-25T05:22:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T05:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/148616\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T05:22:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T05:22:21","slug":"the-rookies-eric-winter-discusses-tims-career-and-personal-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/148616\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Rookie’s Eric Winter discusses Tim’s career and personal growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter<\/a> for everyone who likes developing long-term relationships with TV shows.<\/p>\n

For many, that show is ABC\u2019s popular police procedural \u201cThe Rookie,\u201d which returned for its eighth season earlier this month and brought some international intrigue to its routine, high-stakes Los Angeles police work. Eric Winter, who stars as Tim Bradford, stopped by Guest Spot to discuss his character\u2019s career and personal growth. <\/p>\n

Also in this week\u2019s Screen Gab, our viewing recommendations are two shows that feature some cool and determined women: One centers on an expert interrogator, the other on a group of menopausal women in Northern England who form a punk band. Don\u2019t they sound like the perfect companions for a chill weekend?<\/p>\n

ICYMI<\/p>\n

Must-read stories you might have missed<\/p>\n

\"An <\/p>\n

\u201cSinners\u201d and \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d lead the field of 2026 Oscar nominees with 16 and 13 nominations each, respectively.<\/p>\n

(Photo illustration by Avery Fox \/ Los Angeles Times; Photos from A24; Focus Features; Getty; Netflix; Victor Juca; Warner Bros. Pictures)<\/p>\n

2026 Oscar nominations: The complete list of nominees<\/a>: The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced this week, with \u201cSinners\u201d leading the field with 16 total nominations. <\/p>\n

The 10 movies we\u2019re most excited to see at the Sundance Film Festival<\/a>: For its final edition in Park City, Utah, the preeminent indie showcase promises a slate of features that, to judge from prior years, should get audiences talking.<\/p>\n

How \u2018Heated Rivalry\u2019 became a joyful community: \u2018It gave us a reason to dance\u2019<\/a>: The hit TV series about a queer hockey romance has spurred fans to create dance parties and show-themed merch.<\/p>\n

\u2018Waiting to Exhale\u2019 to \u2018Set It Off\u2019: At these Black film screenings, the soundtrack reigns<\/a>: From \u2018Waiting to Exhale,\u2019 \u2018Boomerang\u2019 and \u2018The Wood,\u2019 this L.A. event celebrates classic Black films and the iconic soundtracks that help bring them to life.<\/p>\n

Turn on<\/p>\n

Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Kyra Sedgwick in an episode of \u201cThe Closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

(DANNY FELD\/WB\/ TNT)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Closer\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

Kyra Sedgwick stars as LAPD deputy chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in this immensely satisfying procedural-plus, which originally ran on TNT from 2005 to 2012 \u2014 ah, the great age of basic cable \u2014 and has recently arrived in its seven-season, 109-episode entirety on Netflix. Brenda, a sugarcoated, CIA-trained Southerner with a sweet tooth, has a \u201chistory\u201dwith nattily attired boss Will Pope (J.K. Simmons), and a talent for interrogation rivaled only by Andre Braugher\u2018s Frank Pembleton on \u201cHomicide: Life on the Street\u201d \u2014 though she\u2019s more likely to catch flies with honey before she drops them in vinegar. (\u201cThank you, thank you so much\u201d is her catch phrase). Like Helen Mirren\u2018s DCI Jane Tennison on \u201cPrime Suspect,\u201d an oblique influence, she has to face down the skepticism of the mostly male crew she\u2019s been imported to run, and run them she will. (\u201cCandice Renoir\u201d fans will recognize that show as something of a \u201cCloser\u201d remake.) The cases are more focused on human behavior than clever methods of murder, and though dark and often sad in that regard, the show is also quite funny and lit in the the sunshine of the city, which it shows off to great effect. As FBI special agent Fritz Howard, Jon Tenney brings romantic heat and ironic commentary. \u2014 Robert Lloyd<\/p>\n

\"Three <\/p>\n

Yvonne Vaux (Amelia Bullmore), from left, Kitty Eckersley (Rosalie Craig) and Holly Gaskell (Tamsin Greig) in \u201cRiot Women.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Helen Williams\/Britbox)<\/p>\n

\u201cRiot Women\u201d<\/a> (Britbox)<\/p>\n

Sally Wainwright (\u201cHappy Valley,\u201d \u201cLast Tango in Halifax\u201d) is one of the best writers working in television today and her \u201cRiot Women\u201d is further, and completely delightful, proof. Five women staring down various midlife crises, including, but not limited to, menopause, decide to form a rock band, a move normally reserved for their male counterparts. It begins as a lark \u2014 Jess (Lorraine Ashbourne) wants to put together an act for a fundraiser at her grandkids\u2019 school \u2014 and quickly becomes a lifeline, particularly for Beth (Joanna Scanlan), a divorced teacher who feels she has become so invisible that there\u2019s no point in living anymore. Jess also wrangles in Holly (Tamsin Greig), who, having just retired from the police force, isn\u2019t sure what to do next, and Holly\u2019s sister Yvonne (Amelia Bullmore), a disenchanted midwife. But it\u2019s Beth who pushes the group to take the band seriously, and make it punk; when she finds the very troubled and equally talented Kitty (Rosalie Craig) singing in a bar, the mission is clear. \u201cRiot Women\u201d is not going to be just a fundraising cover band; it\u2019s going to become a voice and source of power for women conditioned to believe that their value comes from what they can give others and that, after a certain age, that value radically diminishes. The cast is perfection and Wainwright\u2019s sharp writing is, as always, hilarious, clear-eyed and heartbreaking. \u201cRiot Women\u201d is aspirational, inspirational and absolutely fabulous. \u2014 Mary McNamara<\/p>\n

Guest spot<\/p>\n

A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they\u2019re working on \u2014 and what they\u2019re watching<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Eric Winter as Tim Bradford in \u201cThe Rookie.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Mike Taing\/Disney)<\/p>\n

As it settles into its eighth season \u2014 after a long hiatus \u2014 \u201cThe Rookie\u201d (airing Tuesdays on ABC, next-day streaming on Hulu) isn\u2019t skimping on the set of challenges it\u2019s throwing at the team within the fictional Mid-Wilshire Division of the LAPD. But that hasn\u2019t curtailed the career and personal achievements for Tim Bradford (played by Eric Winter). The formerly rigid, no-nonsense, out-in-the-trenches officer has transitioned into a watch commander trying to find work-life balance now that his relationship with colleague Lucy Chen is back on and they are living together. Winter stopped by Screen Gab to talk about how his character has evolved as a leader, what he\u2019s watching and more. \u2014 Yvonne Villarreal<\/p>\n

This season, Tim takes over for Grey as watch commander. At this stage in playing the character, what\u2019s been your favorite part of watching him take on something new and settle into that role? Is there an ambition you have as an actor, or have for Tim as a character, that you still want to achieve?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s always fun for me to see Tim uncomfortable, which has happened a lot. He knows how to lead but this is a different scope and also dealing with a bit more of the politics in this position. He loves being in the action and impacting the streets so it\u2019ll be fun to explore how he can still do that while also managing a desk job. As an actor, there is still so much I would love to accomplish in this industry. I am always wanting to get out of my comfort zone and explore different characters and it is the same for Tim. I love learning more about his past and finding ways for him to grow as a character which keeps the job fun after so many years.<\/p>\n

A slow-burn romance is a favorite TV trope for many viewers. Tim and Lucy are back together this season and living together. We often hear from writers about whether fan reaction informs their writing. But as a performer, what\u2019s it like on the other side \u2014 the fan anticipation, the intensity of that and figuring out when to lean into it? And what intrigues you about where Tim and Lucy are headed for the rest of the season?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great to have so much incredible support for characters but definitely as an actor, there is a balance of when to lean in. This ship has taken on a mind of its own worldwide and with that, a lot of people can\u2019t separate the characters from our personal reality, which comes with the territory though. The fans are anchors to the show\u2019s success, and we always appreciate their commitment to our storytelling. This relationship was completely fan-driven and once the writers jumped in on it, they just elevated the storytelling to make it what it is today. It\u2019s always interesting to see what they have in store next, to give the fans what they want while also keeping everyone guessing.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m intrigued to gauge the fan reaction to what our creator is building to and how we end the season. It will be great to see how Tim has grown and how he will manage this new setup and diving into some family time.<\/p>\n

My colleague recently wrote about \u201cThe Rookie\u201d being a surprise hit with teenagers<\/a>. What\u2019s the show you were obsessed with as a teen?<\/p>\n

The youth support has been incredible. I love it! I was obsessed with shows like \u201cGrowing Pains,\u201d \u201c[The] Cosby Show,\u201d \u201cWho\u2019s the Boss\u201d and \u201cDifferent Stokes.\u201d They are all such great family comedies.<\/p>\n

We know how active you are on TikTok. Please give me a sampling of what your algorithm is feeding you. <\/p>\n

My algorithm is all over the map. I get a lot of trends because that\u2019s what I post, but also history stuff, aliens and stand-up comedian clips. That\u2019s what I listen to at the gym now.<\/p>\n

What have you watched recently that you are recommending to everyone you know? <\/p>\n

I often share comedy clips and also strange UFO\/ancient phenomenon. I get so wrapped up in theories and want to get my wife\u2019s opinion as well as friends. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s your go-to \u201ccomfort watch,\u201d the movie or TV show you go back to again and again? (Please explain.)<\/p>\n

I was excited to wrap up \u201cStranger Things\u201d [Netflix] and now [I\u2019m] obsessed with \u201cSeverance\u201d [Apple TV]. My big comfort watch on the regular is documentaries. I am always looking for something in that space \u2014 sometimes true crime, but I love sports and history stuff too. Just watched a great one recently on AI called \u201cThe Thinking Game\u201d [Prime Video].<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who likes developing long-term relationships with TV shows. For many,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":148617,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[1872,61100,61104,48,52,51,1637,47,50,49,61101,61102,48002,9455,61103,8826,278,425,61105,4610,430],"class_list":["post-148616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles","tag-actor","tag-ariana-madix","tag-islander","tag-la","tag-la-headlines","tag-la-news","tag-life","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-headlines","tag-los-angeles-news","tag-love-island-usa","tag-mr-polaroid","tag-new-film","tag-peacock","tag-polaroid-camera","tag-relationship","tag-season","tag-series","tag-taskmaster","tag-thing","tag-week"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148616\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}