‘The Rookie’ Showrunner Explains Why Monica’s Death Happened

The death of Monica in The Rookie Season 8 came as a surprise to many viewers, but the showrunner says it was a decision that felt natural for the story.

Showrunner Alexi Hawley explained that Monica’s storyline had reached its end point. He said she had already survived many dangerous situations over time, and continuing to keep her in similar situations would not have added anything new to the story. In his view, the character needed a final and meaningful exit rather than repeating past conflicts.

Before her death, Monica shared an emotional moment with her ex-husband Wesley, played by Shawn Ashmore. Hawley described that scene as one of the strongest in the season and said the actors delivered a very powerful performance. He also said the goal throughout the season was to show more depth in Monica’s character instead of making her a simple villain.

The showrunner added that Monica’s final moments were designed to feel complete, and the production does not plan to revisit her story through flashbacks. He made it clear that her arc is considered finished within the series.

Actress Bridget Regan, who played Monica, said she was not shocked by the character’s death. Instead, she felt the role had already pushed the character as far as it could go. She joked that Monica had survived so many extreme situations that she was far beyond having a normal “last chance” in the story.

At the same time, Regan said what surprised her most was not the death itself, but the emotional weight behind it. She felt sadness for the character because Monica never truly changed or escaped the darker path she was on. In her view, there was a version of Monica that could have become something better, but the character never reached that point.

Monica’s exit closes a long-running storyline in the series and marks one of the more emotional turns in the season.

This kind of ending works when a character has already gone through a lot and the story needs closure. Still, it can be hard for viewers who hoped for redemption instead of a final downfall. What do you think about Monica’s ending in the show? Share your thoughts in the comments.