Eric Winter is hoping for the secure return of The Rookie’s Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen — a.ok.a. Chenford — following season 8’s kidnapping cliffhanger.
“The cliffhanger for season 8 was enormous,” Winter, who performs Tim Bradford, completely advised Us Weekly on the 2026 Disney Upfront occasion in New York Metropolis on Tuesday, Might 12.
He defined that when season 9 premieres, he needs followers to see “how Tim recovers with that scenario” and the way the group “will get collectively and responds to save lots of, hopefully, [both of] them.”
Eric Winter. Arturo Holmes/Getty Photographs
Winter, 49, famous it “could be nice” to see the couple come out of the scenario unscathed, particularly after Tim lastly proposed to Lucy (Melissa O’Neil).
As followers of The Rookie know, throughout the season 8 finale, which aired on Might 4, Tim requested Lucy to marry him on the seaside after they took down infamous felony Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise).
Lucy mentioned, “Sure,” however their engagement celebration was reduce brief when a person and girl approached them on the sand and injected them with one thing.
The finale ended with Tim and Lucy grabbing for one another’s fingers earlier than they had been kidnapped. The assailants confirmed they had been engaged on behalf of unhealthy man Everett, who has had a vendetta in opposition to Tim for a while.

Eric Winter as Tim Bradford and Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen. Disney/Mike Taing
“They’re gonna be in a dungeon someplace, whether or not actually or figuratively, I don’t know but,” showrunner Alexi Hawley teased to TVLine after the finale. “However sure, it was a shining second of pleasure and happiness, after which after all, I needed to screw that up.”
Hawley famous that Tim and Lucy will face “uncharted waters” subsequent season after they rekindled their romance throughout season 7 following a break up one season prior. (Tim requested Lucy to maneuver in with him throughout the season 7 finale, however she was asleep and didn’t hear him. The pair had been again to being absolutely collectively when season 8 started.)
“I performed the lengthy sport with it, however we did trip about whether or not he must be taken or she must be taken,” Hawley shared. “However in the end it felt like this can be a journey they’re each on collectively, and so it’s way more irritating and satisfying to have them each in jeopardy collectively.”
Winter, for his half, advised Us on Tuesday that he needs to see Tim and Lucy’s romance develop throughout season 9 — assuming they’re each alive and effectively.
“So long as we hold stringing issues out, which we now have, in a real method and exploring new matters of a relationship [fans should be happy],” he shared. “I feel [that] is what’s vital.”
Hawley, in the meantime, advised TVLine earlier this month that if Tim and Lucy come away victorious, viewers will see a fortunately ever after.
“I’m going to say this, after which persons are going to freak out: So long as everyone survives, there’s a marriage,” the showrunner revealed. “We’re all very invested in them, each individually and collectively. The writers are equally invested in them.”
He added: “I don’t know, precisely. We haven’t began [writing season 9] but. I haven’t actually plotted out the place season 9 goes. Seeing them held wherever they’re held, nonetheless they’re held, collectively, will likely be dramatic and attention-grabbing.”






