20 Mind-Blowing Guest Stars You Completely Forgot About in the Show

Summary

The Rookie's Los Angeles setting and Nathan Fillion's connections allow for a star-studded lineup of guest stars, making the show stand out.

With a multitude of guest stars, it can be effortless to overlook some of them. Nevertheless, their appearances bring delightful surprises to the show. The roster of forgotten stars features Frankie Muniz, Pete Davidson, and Felicia Day.

The Rookie, a popular ABC police procedural, is renowned for its captivating cold opens and a lineup of familiar guest stars that have made appearances over the course of its five seasons. The show's Los Angeles setting serves as a hotbed for celebrity cameos, contributing to the abundance of guest talent. Additionally, Nathan Fillion's extensive TV and film career plays a vital role in attracting a star-studded ensemble. His connections with a wide range of actors enable the recruitment of familiar faces for gripping episodes of crime and justice.

From seasoned actors to today's biggest stars, The Rookie brings together a diverse cast, setting it apart from other network series. By reflecting on the show's history, impressive guest list, and captivating storyline, it becomes evident that The Rookie offers a unique combination of talent and storytelling. However, with such a plethora of guest stars gracing the screen, it's easy for one or even ten of them to slip from memory.

10 Felicia Day

Felicia Day became a household name in 2007 with the release of her web series, The Guild. Her fame continued to rise when Joss Whedon took advantage of the 2008 writers' strike to create Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. In this project, Day took on the role of Penny, while Nathan Fillion, another cast member from Whedon's previous show Firefly, played Captain Hammer. The Rookie provided an exciting opportunity for Day and Fillion to reunite in season 1, with Day playing the role of Dr. Morgan, a CDC specialist responsible for briefing the team on infectious diseases. This reunion was a delightful nod to the connection that Fillion and Day had shared years earlier.

9 Molly Quinn

Nathan Fillion and Molly Quinn, who portrayed a father and daughter duo on Castle for eight seasons, had the chance to reunite on The Rookie. However, their dynamic this time was quite distinct from the affectionate relationship that fans of Castle were used to. In The Rookie, Quinn played the character of Ashley, who unintentionally left behind DNA evidence during a failed con job. This revelation exposed her as the estranged daughter of the recurring criminal Oscar Hutchinson. While Molly Quinn's cameo in The Rookie was warmly received by audiences, what made it even more compelling was the role reversal she underwent, portraying a more antagonistic character compared to her days on Castle.

8 Mario Lopez

Often hailed as the greatest episode of The Rookie, "Greenlight" showcased an unforgettable appearance by none other than Mario Lopez, who effortlessly played himself. When Officers Chen and Bradford pulled him over during a routine traffic stop, Lopez used his charm to try and wriggle out of a traffic violation. This amusing cameo brilliantly highlighted the familiar celebrity cliché of relying on fame to avoid trouble. Witnessing Lopez's well-timed humor in this situation left a lasting impression, further adding to the already extensive collection of delightful moments that The Rookie is renowned for.

7 Alan Tudyk

Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk, who both starred in the popular Firefly series, reunited onscreen in The Rookie. Tudyk, a close friend of Fillion, made guest appearances playing the character Ellroy Basso, a crime scene cleaner, in two episodes. The first meeting between Fillion's character Officer Nolan and Tudyk's character Ellroy took place in the "Clean Cut" episode of The Rookie season 2. During a crime scene incident, they were both targeted by attackers. Later on, Ellroy and his girlfriend, who worked as a dispatcher, teamed up with Nolan and his fiancée, who was a firefighter, when Nolan was assigned a case at the border.

6 Emily Deschanel

In The Rookie's pilot episode, John Nolan expressed his commitment to his troubled marriage, vowing to remain in it until his son departed for college. Emily Deschanel, known for her role in the crime procedural series Bones, portrayed Nolan's estranged ex-wife, who finally made an appearance. Their son, Henry, faced a critical moment when he collapsed and had to undergo emergency heart surgery. The presence of Sarah, portrayed by Deschanel, showed support for their son during this challenging time. Although their interaction was brief, Sarah's arrival added significant depth to Nolan's character.

5 Joel McHale

During the early episodes of The Rookie, guest stars were brought in to create conflicts that allowed John Nolan and his colleagues to engage in unique situations. One of the standout guest stars was Joel McHale, who showcased his trademark sarcasm. In the episode "The Shake Up," Nolan and Bradford were assigned to protect a former border patrol agent, played by McHale, who had become involved in human trafficking. Watching Nolan and Bradford interact with McHale's character was highly entertaining until a cartel intervened, tracking him through GPS and setting up an ambush.

4 Frankie Muniz

Seeing Frankie Muniz from Malcolm in the Middle on TV is a rare occurrence. However, in The Rookie season 3's “True Crime,” Muniz made a guest appearance as Corey Harris, a child actor who was admired as a leader by a devoted group of fans. Unfortunately, Harris met his demise at the hands of a serial killer's accomplice, but it was a pleasure to witness Muniz's acting skills once again, even if only for a brief moment. Few other shows could provide such a unique opportunity.

3 Pete Davidson

During their time working on The Suicide Squad, Nathan Fillion and Pete Davidson had an encounter that sparked a conversation. This conversation ultimately led to Davidson guest starring on The Rookie, as reported by ET. In his guest appearance, Davidson portrayed Pete Nolan, who is John Nolan’s half-brother. Despite their differences, the two characters found common ground in the pain caused by their father. John’s support proved invaluable as Pete navigated the challenges of impending parenthood, a role their father had failed to fulfill. Although the anticipated baby never arrived, the moments shared between the siblings were undeniably heartwarming. The decision to cast Pete during the height of his fame on The Rookie was an unexpected surprise, and his onscreen appearances proved to be just as impressive.

2 Will.i.am

1 Kelly Clarkson

Will.i.am, the versatile artist and musician from The Black Eyed Peas, made a special guest appearance in an episode called "The Checklist" where he portrayed himself. In their race against time to complete their final exam, which had to be done within 48 hours, Nolan and Bishop responded to a silent alarm at a house with an unknown owner. To their surprise, they discovered that the homeowner was none other than Will.i.am himself. However, he was far from pleased to have two police officers intruding on his property. Will.i.am's appearance on The Rookie was an enjoyable cameo that added to the show's appeal and showcased its wide range of viewers.

Kelly Clarkson added her name to the list of unforgettable guest stars on The Rookie's fifth season episode titled "Death Notice." It took almost a year for this special appearance to materialize. The cast of The Rookie made an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, hinting at an upcoming guest spot. After eight months, The Rookie delivered one of its most outstanding cold opens yet, featuring Clarkson. While her presence may not have been as unexpected as previous cameos on the show, she still captured the essence of The Rookie with her superb celebrity guest spot.

Sources: ET