At a Glance
- Eric Winter says putting on his full police uniform flips his mental switch into Tim Bradford
- Melissa O’Neil calls the outfit “the armor” that changes her posture and walk
- Winter jokes that planning the day’s TikTok is equally crucial before cameras roll
- Why it matters: Fans get a rare look at how actors stay authentic in long-running roles
Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil have spent eight seasons bringing Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen to life on ABC’s The Rookie. In a conversation with News Of Losangeles about season 8, they broke down the small but vital habits that help them slip back into character each shooting day.
The Uniform That Transforms
For both actors, the moment they zip up the tactical pants and clip on the badge is the moment fiction becomes muscle memory.
O’Neil, 37, calls the ritual “suiting up in the armor.” She explains, “The second I put on my badge and my gun belt and everything – we do it every single day, and it changes the way you walk, it changes your body posture – so that really helps me sink in.”
Winter, 49, agrees. “Putting on the uniform is a big part of it. It’s where wardrobe really has an impact on a lot of characters. You’re kind of sliding into this persona and this feeling and everything about the uniform. You take a big responsibility when you’re wearing all this.”
TikTok as a Warm-Up
While the uniform grounds the performers, Winter’s second ritual is pure internet gold. “Probably figure out which TikTok I want to shoot that day,” he quips, laughing. His page boasts nearly 7 million followers and hundreds of millions of views, many clips filmed between takes on the set he’s called home since 2018.
His most-watched post, uploaded in October 2024, shows him, O’Neil and Richard T. Jones tricking costar Lisseth Chavez into the “chicken dance” trend. The video has topped 241 million views and counting.
Where Chenford Stands Now
The pair also teased what season 8 holds for the fan-dubbed “Chenford.” After a rocky split in season 6, Winter says Bradford “is continuing to try to make an effort like you saw in season 7. He’s trying to do right by the wrongs he caused in that relationship.”
O’Neil hints at Lucy’s response: “Probably seeing Lucy push the boundaries of how far that generosity will go.”
Creator Alexi Hawley tells News Of Losangeles that the couple may finally step out of the spotlight. “This season will definitely be challenging some relationships as we go. Obviously, we’ve challenged Chenford a lot, so I think we might be looking elsewhere for some more of those deeper challenges.”
The Rookie Schedule
New episodes air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC and land on Hulu the next day.
Key Takeaways
- Winter’s TikTok habit is as much a cast bonding ritual as it is a social-media smash
- O’Neil’s “armor” analogy captures how costume shapes performance
- Showrunner Hawley signals fresh relationship drama beyond Chenford this season
