Melissa O’Neil – The Rookie

By starrymag | February 21, 2021

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) Season 3 of “The Rookie” has recently begun. What can you tease about your Lucy going forward to this season?

 

A) Lucy is nearing the completion of her time as a rookie and I’m *really* excited about the path that she stumbles upon one day while on the job that may very well lead to an exciting new path for her within the force. And I can happily report that there is going to be a shocking moment between Lucy and Tim (Eric Winter) that I think #TUCY fans will be pretty tickled by.

 

Q) As Lucy moves on in her life and career, will we learn more about how Lucy is handling the aftermath of her kidnapping?

 

A) One of Lucy’s strengths is her resilience. Aside from the first episode of Season Three, we don’t see Lucy navigate much as far as after-effects from her kidnapping. There’s too much going on – every day – that demands a person’s full attention and presence. Particularly, if that person is a police officer. That’s not to say she’s going to handle each moment perfectly, but I think this notion of moving on and getting on with it so you can get the job done is a part of the job in the real world, too.

 

Q) What are the underlying themes we will see this season?

 

A) This season the show has really taken the opportunity it has with its platform to speak on some of the issues where race and law enforcement intersect. That said, “The Rookie” still has the same heart and tone of the show that the audience has come to be familiar with over the last two seasons. It’s been both a comfort and a point of pride to be an actor on a show where the team behind it all is engaged and invested in creating a portrait that balances the realities of what it means to wear a uniform in today’s climate with an aspirational attitude that acknowledges that while change is hard – it is not impossible.

 

Q) What can you say about the relationship between Lucy and Tim? What do you see happening between these two?

 

A) What can I say about the relationship between Lucy and Tim? I think the more interesting question would be – what can’t I say? Don’t you think? [winks] What I see happening between these two is a typical ABC’s “The Bachelor” style date night. You know, the one where the classic Bachelor lookin’ dude takes the relatable girl who tells bad jokes and stands up against the bullies out for a one-on-one. They have a great time. They laugh. They get ready for the intimate dinner and then, he holds the rose while he tells her that he’s going to send her home. Isn’t that what everyone else sees?

In all seriousness – I’m really curious to discover this myself! What happens when Lucy graduates? Will Tim get a new rookie? Who will Lucy’s new partner be? Will they even still be friends? Or was Tim right all along – she’s just another rookie to him? Say it ain’t sooooo!

 

Q) Do you have a favorite episode or moment coming up that you’re excited for fans to see? 

 

A) I’m always very excited for the blooper reel that the editors turn out. There’s some pretty cool girl power moments that I’m excited for the fans to see, too. Lucy finds herself on a job with Nyla [Mekia Cox] and I’m always a fan when those two characters get paired up.

 

Q) Looking back on the last three seasons, what has been your proudest moment playing Lucy?

 

A) Lucy getting kidnapped and stuffed in a barrel and then getting rescued by the team in Season Two. That whole storyline was so much fun to play. It’s always a joy to explore some of the other colors on the palette. Playing Lucy is consistently SUPER fun. I think getting to expand her life experience in that way, horrific as it may have been, was exciting!

 

Q) As fans go through Season 3, what is something you’d like them to take away from the series and Lucy?

 

A) There are a lot of big and, at times, uncomfortable conversations that are had between characters on the show this season. I hope that people are able to watch it and feel some sense of inspiration to maybe do that in their own life. Have those conversations with their families or friends or get curious about how one can contribute or help to create change. As for Lucy, I hope that she imparts a sense of joy on viewers. She’s a character that is able to meet a lot of different moments with an indestructible lightheartedness. I see that as one of her greatest strengths, both as a character but especially as a cop. She’s ready to go at a moment’s notice, but she’s never separate from her humanity.

 

Q) What are some additional upcoming projects you have been working on?

 

A) Nothing in the field of entertainment! I’m pretty big on balance and am currently enjoying any time off work by diving into my studies. [smiles]

 

Q) You’re a part of social media, do you enjoy the instant feedback you get from fans after every episode?

 

A) Yes! The feedback is pretty incredible. Sometimes I treat my Instagram like my personal diary, and I’ll post something from “The Rookie” and get such a populated response – it reminds me why so many people are following! I get some sweet messages sometimes about how the show or Lucy has touched someone’s life. I can have a lot of aversion with engaging on those platforms at times, but that it has the capacity to put us all in direct contact with each other – even if we’re in totally different parts of the world – is pretty darn special.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I would like to say: Thank you! Thank you for tuning in, reaching out, for smiling at a silly face I might make on TV, for the messages you’ve sent – I might not respond to all of them but I see so many! For the people who create hilarious online content from the material they find on the show – I’m sending you a big hug through the astral. You guys make me laugh, a lot. Thank you for the love. May you and yours have happiness and health. Stay safe out there, friends!