Summary

• Davidson's role in The Rookie as Pete Nolan adds depth to John Nolan's character, creating a ripple effect in personal and professional aspects.
• Despite initial doubts, Nathan Fillion welcomed Davidson's talent and charm on set, leading to Davidson's impactful casting in The Rookie.
• Many viewers felt outrage when Davidson's character was absent from The Rookie's 100th episode, sparking speculation about his absence.

Pete Davidson’s role in The Rookie is going into its seventh season, and while most of the series is focused on the police work of John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), the LAPD's oldest rookie, the show also looks into his personal life. Relationships with John's son, ex-wife, and mother, among others, are explored, rounding out the already layered character.

Davidson first entered the pop culture conversation when he became one of the youngest cast of Saturday Night Live in 2014. He starred on the show for eight seasons before pursuing other movie and TV projects. Many have accused Davidson of playing himself in his movies and TV shows, as both The King of Staten Island and Bupkis feature the actor playing lost young men dealing with mental health issues and the loss of their father. However, there's no denying that Davidson has an endearing, captivating screen presence, which he put to good use in The Rookie.

Pete Davidson Played John Nolan's Half-Brother In The Rookie

Davidson's Character Was Notably Absent From John's Wedding Episode, Causing Fan Outrage

Pete Davidson made a notable appearance in The Rookie as John Nolan’s half-brother, Pete. Introduced in season 2, episode 13, "Follow-Up Day," Davidson's character arrives to tell John, whom he's never met, about their father's ing, which creates a ripple effect that impacts both the personal and professional aspects of John’s world. Once again, Davidson is playing a young, directionless man who has lost his father, but rather than feeling like a retread of past work, Pete's complex emotions work for the show, as does Davidson's natural charm.

Pete Nolan shows up again for two more episodes, both in season 4. However, Davidson was notably absent from The Rookie's 100th episode, which focuses on John Nolan’s wedding. This sparked fan outrage, as many viewers thought that Pete should have been at such an important event in his half-brother's life. It's unknown why Davidson didn't appear, but he likely didn't have time in his schedule. In The Rookie, the absence was explained as Pete being apprehended by bounty hunter Skip Tracer Randy (Flula Borg) for owing $6000 in unpaid parking tickets.

Davidson Was Cast In The Rookie After Winning Over Nathan Fillion On The Suicide Squad Set

Fillion Had Doubts About Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson’s casting in The Rookie was significantly influenced by his rapport with Nathan Fillion on the set of 2021's The Suicide Squad. Davidson played Blackguard in The Suicide Squad, a naive mercenary role that allowed him to showcase his comedic timing and unique presence. Meanwhile, Fillion portrayed Cory Pitzner, aka "T.D.K.". which stands for The Detachable Kid, a nod to the character's ability to detach his arms from his body.

Fillion later shared his thoughts on Davidson’s casting in The Rookie, itting he initially underestimated the comedian. He told The Hollywood Reporter,

When I first met him, I thought, “He and I are probably not going to be best pals.” And within four minutes, I was embarrassed and ashamed because I’d judged a book by its cover. He’s an incredibly kind man. Within two or three days, I invited him to do an episode, and he graciously accepted. He’s wildly talented and always brings a flavor to the character that’s realistic. It’s been a pleasure seeing what this unlikely friend of mine can do with being an unlikely half-brother and friend to my character.

Davidson’s casting is a prime example of how surface impressions can be misleading. Despite often being judged based on his high-profile romantic relationships and public persona, Davidson has proven himself as a versatile actor capable of delivering compelling performances. His work on The Rookie stands as evidence of his ability to transcend typecasting and bring genuine skill to his roles.