If you watched last Tuesday’s season 7 premiere of The Rookie, you probably noticed that Officer Aaron Thorsen was absent from the action. Although the character had become a fan favorite in the past few seasons of the ABC series, it was revealed three months after the season 6 finale that Tru Valentino, the actor who played the role, had departed the show. Keep reading to find out the reason behind the actor’s exit and whether we’ve seen the last of his character.
Who is Officer Aaron Thorsen?
Officer Aaron Thorsen debuted in Season 4 of The Rookie. He was introduced as a former TikTok celebrity thrust into the limelight after being wrongfully accused of murdering his roommate while studying abroad. Despite this public ordeal, Thorsen pursued a career in law enforcement, joining the LAPD under the mentorship of Detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox).
In Season 5, Thorsen’s life took a dramatic turn when he was shot in the line of duty. This traumatic event led him to seek therapy in Season 6 with Dr. Blair London (Danielle Campbell), hoping to process his emotional trauma. However, Dr. London was later revealed as a deceitful individual who was secretly manipulating Thorsen and the LAPD by leaking sensitive police information to Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan).
Although Thorsen was a no-show in the Season 7 premiere, it was revealed that he had transferred to the North Hollywood division. This move allowed him to distance himself from the scandal involving Dr. London and the LAPD, ensuring his privacy and allowing him to focus on his career without the lingering shadow of this past trauma.
Why did True Valentino leave ‘The Rookie’?
In August 2024, it was confirmed that Tru Valentino would not return as Officer Aaron Thorsen for Season 7 of The Rookie. Showrunner Alexi Hawley explained that the decision was made for creative reasons, though he left the door open for Valentino to reprise his role in the future.
“Of course. Tru [Valentino] is a great actor, and he was a huge part of our show for several seasons, and so we’d love to have him back in some capacity,” the writer told Screen Rant. “It just ultimately felt like, creatively, for where the show was going, that we needed to pivot a bit. But he’s still very much alive in our universe.”
Following the announcement of his departure from The Rookie, Valentino expressed his gratitude for his time on the show. In an Instagram Story post, he stated, “I will always cherish my time on The Rookie but couldn’t be more excited for what the future has in store. I adore the friends and relationships made while being there. It was such an amazing opportunity and feel so lucky to have had the last 3 seasons. Thank you to the best fans in the world, I know I don’t talk much, but I appreciate you all so much.”
At the end of his post, Valentino hinted that a return to the series could happen down the road. “You never know who may pop back up in the Mid-Wilshire Precinct,” he teased. “Until then, 7 Adam 19, this is Officer Thorsen, over and out!”
Who replaced Aaron Thorsen on ‘The Rookie’?
With Valentino’s departure, The Rookie introduced two new officers to the LAPD during its Season 7 premiere. Deric Augustine joined the cast as Miles, a Texas transplant and two-year veteran who is still considered a rookie in his new role at the LAPD. Patrick Keleher also made his debut as Seth, a rookie officer grappling with the pressure of making quick and decisive decisions on the job.
The Rookie Season 7 airs on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. You can watch the official trailer for the new season, below:
