The Rookie Was Surprisingly Inspired by a Real-Life Cop
Nathan Fillion’s character is actually based on a real LAPD officer.
If you are a fan of police procedural crime TV shows, you know how captivating they get. One of the best series in this genre of recent years is ABC’s The Rookie. But did you know that there’s a true story behind the story of Officer John Nolan?
The show, which has kept fans entertained for five seasons and even brought forth a spin-off, The Rookie: Feds, indeed draws inspiration from a real-life cop — William Norcross (per New York Post).
At 44, Norcross left his family’s printing business in Pennsylvania behind to chase his dream of donning the blue in Los Angeles. Much like the character John Nolan portrayed by Nathan Fillion, Bill was considered older than most rookies. But age was just a number for Bill, who now serves in Los Angeles’ Pacific Division.
Bill’s extraordinary journey didn’t just earn him a badge; it also caught the attention of Hollywood, becoming the foundation for The Rookie.
The character of John Nolan mirrors Norcross's journey. Nolan, a 45-year-old man, sells his construction business after a life-changing incident during a bank robbery in Philadelphia and moves to Los Angeles to join the LAPD.
While the show adds a Hollywood twist to Norcross's story, the essence remains true to his experiences. Norcross didn’t stop a bank robbery like Nolan, but his cross-country move to pursue a career in law enforcement is accurately depicted.
What makes The Rookie even more intriguing is Norcross' involvement with the series. He has been available to interact with the writers and actors, providing insights and ensuring a realistic portrayal of the life of a rookie cop. Plus, he is listed as the show’s executive producer.
Norcross even had a little guest spot in the 19th, second-to-last episode of season 1, the same episode where will.i.am makes an appearance. In that episode, the police were on a big mission to bust the guys who were swiping and selling cars. And one of the cops on the case was William Norcross himself.
He is also a college friend of Jon Steinberg, who is one of the show’s executive producers. It pretty much explains how his story made its way to become part of a popular TV show.
Source: NY Post