'The Rookie' character's death in Season 8 has fans, actor conflicted

Warning: The following contains major spoilers for Season 8, Episode 17 of "The Rookie."

USA TODAY

Monica Stevens finally got her comeuppance on the latest episode of "The Rookie." But not all fans are celebrating.

The crooked lawyer, played by Bridget Regan, on ABC's police procedural series, died in the penultimate episode of Season 8 in a dramatic cliffhanger ahead of next week's finale.

After double-crossing dangerous criminals, the corrupt attorney met her demise as she was assassinated during a rideshare trip to the airport, where she hoped to leave Los Angeles and avoid federal agents.

"I think you missed the turn," Monica told the driver, who replied, "No, I didn't." She is taken to an abandoned site at night, where her final request of "not in the face" is honored, and she is fatally shot twice in the chest.

Bridget Regan as Monica Stevens on Season 8 Episode 18 of "The Rookie," which aired on April 27, 2026.

Monica Stevens heartbreaking goodbye with Wesley Evers

Before her fatal shooting, she visited ex-fiancé Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore), the only person Monica cared to say goodbye to. The two shared a devastating exchange with Monica knowing it would be their last.

"I know I did exactly whatever I wanted, and I own every choice that I made, and yet I don't know how I got here," she told Wesley.

Monica asked him if he ever loved the person she used to be, to which he replied: "She was terrifying and radiant and razor sharp. Of course, I loved her. Everybody did."

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Despite her immoral decisions on the series, fans found her ending ironically bittersweet, withone X user writing,"Never thought I would feel bad for Monica but I do. Monica really loved Wesley and you saw the person she used to be before he broke her heart. Her saying goodbye before she met her end was really heartbreaking."

"omg Monica i wanted u gone but im sad rn,"another user wrote on X.

<p style=A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out on red carpets, including at the premieres of movies like "The Drama" and the "Michael" biopic.

Other star-studded events include Coachella, CinemaCon, the Breakthrough Prize gala honoring the top math and science achievements and Eddie Murphy's AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony.

Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Hailey Bieber attends the TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Hilary Duff

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Kate Hudson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Sara Wells, left, and Noah Wyle

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rhea Seehorn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Zoe Saldaña

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Nikki Glaser

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Dakota Johnson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Charlize Theron attends the New York premiere of "Apex" on April 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Keri Russell, left, and Matthew Rhys attend the New York premiere of "Widow's Bay" on April 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Andy Serkis attends the premiere of "Animal Farm" in New York on April 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Woody Harrelson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Laverne Cox

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Steve Buscemi, left, and Woody Harrelson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway attend the New York premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" on April 20, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Anne Hathaway

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Lady Gaga

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Anna Wintour

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Simone Ashley

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=B.J. Novak

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Eddie Murphy poses with his AFI Life Achievement Award at the 51st annual ceremony honoring him at the Dolby Theatre on April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles.

An all-star comedy slate of Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, "Coming to America" costar Arsenio Hall, Kenan Thompson and Bill Burr paid respects to Murphy, 65, at the Dolby Theatre honors. Mike Myers even appeared in green "Shrek" makeup and ears to honor Murphy, the famed voice of the beloved Donkey in the animated movies.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Colman Domingo, Eddie Murphy and Nia Long attend the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony honoring 2026 recipient Eddie Murphy.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Mike Myers attends the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony honoring Eddie Murphy.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Mike Myers appears as Shrek while speaking at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony honoring Eddie Murphy.

"None of the 'Shrek' success could have happened without Eddie Murphy; his character Donkey is a masterpiece," said Myers. "As is every character that Eddie has created. ... It is an absolute honor to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy.""None of the 'Shrek' success could have happened without Eddie Murphy; his character Donkey is a masterpiece," said Myers. "As is every character that Eddie has created. ... It is an absolute honor to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gigi Hadid attends the 12th annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony at Barker Hangar on April 18, 2026, in Santa Monica, California. <p style=Robert Downey Jr. attends the 12th annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Ben Affleck

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Echo Quan and Ke Huy Quan

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Gayle King

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Elvia Lind and Oscar Isaac

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Paris Hilton and her husband Carter Reum

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Adam Levine and wife Behati Prinsloo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Octavia Spencer

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Michelle Yeoh

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Charlie McDowell and Lily Collins

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Michelle Williams

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Olivia Wilde

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Salma Hayek Pinault

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jessica Chastain

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Gal Gadot

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Christina Aguilera

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Billie Eilish was chosen as Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl" as he performed during Coachella Weekend 2 on April 18, 2026 in Indio, Calif.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Justin Bieber performs on the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Kacey Musgraves performs in the Mojave Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 18, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=French Montana, Hugel and Ty Dolla $ign pose for a portrait backstage in the Sahara Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 17, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae of KATSEYE pose for a portrait backstage in the Sahara Tent during Coachella on April 17, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson attend LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on April 16, 2026, in Los Angeles. <p style=Will Ferrell and wife Viveca Paulin attend LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Heidi Klum attends LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Alicia Keys attends LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi attend LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=At CinemaCon on April 16, 2026, Robert Downey Jr. was on hand to debut the first trailer for Marvel's "Avengers: Doomsday" (in theaters Dec. 18), which marks the Oscar winner's first appearance as the villainous Doctor Doom.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Then Captain America himself, Chris Evans, joined Downey and Joe Russo on the CinemaCon stage with some faux awkwardness.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Tom Hanks and Tim Allen speak during Walt Disney Studios' session at CinemaCon 2026 at The Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Ryan Gosling speaks during Amazon MGM Studios' CinemaCon 2026 presentation on April 15, 2026, in Las Vegas.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style="Scary Movie" stars Shawn Wayans and Anna Faris speak during Paramount Pictures' CinemaCon 2026 presentation on April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Billie Eilish and James Cameron promote the film "Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour Live in 3D" at the Paramount Pictures presentation during CinemaCon on April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Tom Cruise poses during the Warner Bros photo call during CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 14, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller promote their film "Focker In-Law" during Universal Pictures and Focus Features' presentation at CinemaCon.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya promote their upcoming film "Dune: Part Three" during the Warner Bros. photo call at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock (R) promote their upcoming sequel "Practical Magic 2" during the Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jack Black (left) and Dwayne Johnson promote their upcoming movie Becky G celebrates Coachella Weekend 1 with a Patrón tequila following her surprise guest performance of “MAMIII” during Karol G’s historic headlining festival set on April 12, 2026. Sombr performs at the Outdoor Theatre during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Justin Bieber performs at the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2026 in Indio, Calif. <p style=Joe Jonas toasts to Coachella Weekend One ahead of a surprise appearance at the Aperol Day Club during day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, in Indio, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Justine Syke stops at the Aperol Day Club for Coachella Day One on April 11, 2026 in Indio, California. Ariana Madix kicks off Coachella Day One at the Aperol Day Club on April 11, 2026 in Indio, California. <p style=It's a "Scrubs" reunion! Creator Bill Lawrence (from left), Donald Faison, Zach Braff, John C. McGinley, Sarah Chalke, Christa Miller, Aseem Batra, Judy Reyes, moderator Vanessa Bayer and Neil Flynn arrive for ABC's "Scrubs" panel during the 2026 PaleyFest LA at Dolby Theatre on April 11, 2026, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Sarah Chalke

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Donald Faison

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Zach Braff

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Donald Faison, Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Michael Jackson's sons, Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson, attend the Bigi Jackson and Prince Jackson, and their uncles Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson, attend the Jermaine Jackson and nephew Jaafar Jackson attend the Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Charles Melton attend the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Charles Melton and his mom, Sukyong Melton, attend the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Oscar Isaac attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Carey Mulligan attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Edi Gathegi attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Finneas O'Connell and Claudia Sulewski attend the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's Da'Vine Joy Randolph attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's <p style=Olivia Wilde attends the Fashion Trust Awards at Nya Studios on April 8, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Chrissy Teigen

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Selma Blair

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Uzo Aduba

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Melissa McCarthy

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jurnee Smollett

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Lili Reinhart

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Emily V. Gordon, left, and Kumail Nanjiani

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Alison Brie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Mindy Kaling

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Frankie Muniz attends the premiere of "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair" in New York on April 7, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jane Kaczmarek

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Bryan Cranston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=From left, Jane Kaczmarek, Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Christopher Masterson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Justin Berfield

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Zendaya attends the premiere of "Euphoria" Season 3 on April 7, 2026, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jacob Elordi

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Sydney Sweeney

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Alexa Demie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Hunter Schafer

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Chloe Cherry

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Yvette Nicole Brown attends the PaleyFest presentation of "Pluribus" in Hollywood, California, on April 4, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Rhea Seehorn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Robert Pattinson attends the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Zendaya

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Alana Haim

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Mamoudou Athie

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Paul Dano

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Matt Rogers

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Heidi Klum

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey attend a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" on April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Halle Bailey speaks at a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" at Spelman College on April 1, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Sharon Stone visits SiriusXM Studios on April 1, 2026, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel attend the Special Screening of Mother Mary at Picturehouse Central on April 23, 2026 in London, England (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for A24)

See Justin Bieber, Anne Hathaway in best celeb photos of April

A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out on red carpets, including at the premieres of movies like "The Drama" and the "Michael" biopic.Other star-studded events include Coachella, CinemaCon, the Breakthrough Prize gala honoring the top math and science achievements and Eddie Murphy's AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.

Bridget Regan is 'sad to see Monica go'

Regan, who joined "The Rookie" in a recurring role in Season 5, said she will miss playing the morally questionable antagonist, tellingTV Insiderthat "I am sad to see Monica go."

She recounted her phone call with showrunner Alexi Hawley, where, as usual, she worried "that it's the call of death."

"But truly, I was not surprised. I was thrilled that she lasted as long as she did. If you play with fire, as long as she has, eventually you’re going to get burned. And as I said to Alexi and everybody, I was like, she’s not on her ninth life. She’s on her 37th," she told the outlet.

She said it was "fair enough" for the writers to kill the character, who already had survived multiple assassinations and prison time, and "being thrown in a wood chipper."

"When her number was finally up, I wasn’t surprised. I thought, fair enough. She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude," she continued. "But what I was surprised by was just how incredibly sad I was for her. Not that she died, but that she never truly flipped, that she actually succumbed to the dark side and couldn’t find her way back."

The Season 8 finale of "The Rookie" is set to air Monday, May 4. The series has been renewed for Season 9, which, according toDeadline, makes ABC's third-longest-running drama series after "NYPD Blue" and "Grey's Anatomy."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'The Rookie' fans are conflicted by a major character's death

bySator Tenet
in
April 28, 2026

'The Rookie' character's death in Season 8 has fans, actor conflicted

Warning: The following contains major spoilers for Season 8, Episode 17 of "The Rookie." Monica Stevens finally got her ...
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Vikings go big on defense in the NFL draft, particularly up front

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — TheMinnesota Vikingsmight not know for some time whether this rookie class will get them back on track with theNFL draft, after recent years have not yielded enough quality depth for the roster and forced them to spend big in free agency.

Associated Press Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick Caleb Banks talks during an NFL football news conference Friday, April 24, 2026, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick Caleb Banks poses for a photo with Vikings front office members during a press conference Friday, April 24, 2026 in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick Caleb Banks, left, and head coach Kevin O'Connell arrive for a press conference Friday, April 24, 2026 in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Vikings Draft Football

Even if the dividends don't immediately pay off for him, defensive coordinator Brian Flores was clearly one of the biggest winners from the weekend.

Starting with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in thefirst round, the Vikings as directed by interim general manager Rob Brzezinski wound up with five top-100 picks and used four of them on defensive players.

Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, who can play on the edge as well as inside, came in the second round. Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange went in the third round, as did Miami safety Jakobe Thomas.

Then among their four picks on Saturday, the Vikings used a fifth-rounder on Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings. Granted, Flores had to part withedge rusher Jonathan Greenardin a cap-relief trade with Philadelphia on Friday that netted two third-round picks. But the emergence of 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner last season made parting with Greenard more palatable.

The upside of bulk and athleticism with Banks and Orange joining budding standout Jalen Redmond on the inside gives the Vikings more confidence they're building an interior that can't be easily bulldozed.

“Brian Flores has talked about it. I’ve talked about it: This is a big man’s game," coach Kevin O'Connell said.

Banks might be bringing a crowd

Banks during his introductory news conference at team headquarters revealed that he has four pets and plans to acquire more — two pythons, a chameleon and a dog. He said he plans to bring them with him to Minnesota, with more snakes, another dog, a tarantula and frogs on his radar for expanding the roster.

His love for animals was developed through an affinity for koala bears. He said he would've even majored in zoology at Florida if the time demands of those course didn't conflict with football practice.

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“Yeah, I'm different," Banks said. “I'm telling you, you'd be surprised.”

A special guest at the Bredeson family gathering

The first pick the Vikings made on Saturday was Michigan's Max Bredeson at 159th overall in the fifth round, targeting a blocking specialist who lined up in several places in the formation in college as a successor to recently retired fullback C.J. Ham.

When Bredeson's video conference call with Minnesota reporters began from his family's home in Hartland, Wisconsin, one of his former Michigan teammates popped on the screen: J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings quarterback was in the same recruiting class as Bredeson when they joined the Wolverines, and they've remained close friends. They even had the same private quarterback coach as youths, before Bredeson wisely made a position switch. Landing on the same NFL team was quite a

“I'm a Midwest kid, so it's awesome to be in the Midwest,” Bredeson said. “All the time I've spent with anyone in the Vikings organization, it always felt real.”

Playing hot potato with the 198th overall pick

The Vikings selected Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne in the sixth round on Saturday with a pick that became one of the most popular in the draft. That originally belonged to the Vikings, who first sent it to Houston in 2024 for running back Cam Akers. They reacquired it in a subsequent trade with the Texans, then sent it to San Francisco last year for running back Jordan Mason. The 49ers wound up dealing it to New England. Then the Patriots sent it back to the Vikings on Saturday for one of their seventh-round selections (234th overall) and a sixth-rounder in 2027.

Nine picks in, nine picks out

The Vikings were less active on the trade market than usual, though the Greenard deal was the headline of the weekend. They got a third-rounder from Philadelphia, plus another one in 2027, for Greenard and one of their seventh-rounders. They made a minor move with Carolina in the second round on Friday to drop two spots and upgrade a sixth-rounder to a fifth-rounder. In the end, they made nine selections — the same amount they started with — and got five top-100 picks after starting with four.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

bySator Tenet
in
April 28, 2026

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