Nathan Fillion’s tough Rookie role

Pretending to be a police officer might seem like the dream job for anyone who loved playing cops and robbers as a child. But for Nathan Fillion, who takes the lead role of Los Angeles cop John Nolan on The Rookie, there is a downside.

‘‘When you hear the idea, you think, ‘This is fantastic. What a great idea’,’’ says Fillion. ‘‘Then you strap 11lbs [5kg] of gear to your hips and put on black wool and start running around Los Angeles in 115 degrees [45 degrees Celsius] heat.’’

However, this season things are slightly more comfortable for Fillion, who had to wear rookie police attire last season. Gone are the ties and fulllength sleeves, swapped for cooler short sleeves.

But aside from that, it’s more of the same for Officer Nolan, the 40-something divorcee who quit his construction job to join the police.

The Rookie, now in its second season, has been a hit for Fillion, who is also an executive producer on show.

‘‘You always want people to enjoy your show, but the praise has been effusive.’’

In The Rookie, Fillion’s character, Nolan, may be the oldest police recruit in his team, but he is determined to make the most of his new career.

‘‘I actually have met the real-life John Nolan,’’ says Fillion, 48. ‘‘We borrowed his story to make the show. He drops by every once in a while.

‘‘This is a fellow who had picked a career and, for whatever reason, he was not a police officer and said, ‘This is not what I want’ and made the change. It is clear, he has the calling and he is fulfilled.

‘‘It really makes me feel good to see people doing that. That is our culture now. Jobs don’t last like they used to.’’

Playing a police officer on The Rookie means there is a bit of action. But does Fillion do his own stunts?

‘‘I used to be the guy who was super excited about doing my own stunts and then you hurt your back and then you hurt your knee. It starts to lose its lustre.

‘‘We have lots of really talented guys who are just dying to do ’em. And I say let ’em.’’

Fillion, who was born and raised in Canada, has been a television actor for more than two decades.

As a child he played police officers with his brother Jeff.

‘‘When I was growing up, the big show on TV was ChiPs,’’ he says.

‘‘My brother and I would ride our bikes around the block. He would be Poncherello and I would be Baker. That was our game and now here I am, living the dream.’’

His long list of credits includes Firefly, Castle, Desperate Housewives, Modern Family and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

On The Big Bang Theory, Fillion had a cameo as himself. He pretended he wasn’t Nathan Fillion when two of the sitcom’s characters recognised him from Castle while in a cafe.

Fillion is known for playing characters who have a sense of humour and an interesting love life. His character on The Rookie is no different. ‘‘Nolan is going to have a fantastic time this season as far as the romance goes. If it was smooth all the time, it wouldn’t be as entertaining.’’

– Sarah Nealon, TV Guide

The Rookie, Three, Wednesdays, 8.35pm.