If you’re a fan of ABC’s hit procedural The Rookie, you know that the season 7 finale left us on a massive cliffhanger. We’re all dying to see

John Nolan and Bailey Nune head to Europe to track down a terrorist cell. But as the production moved from the sunny streets of Los Angeles to the historic cobbles of Prague, Czech Republic, the drama wasn’t just happening in front of the cameras.

 

 

Recently, series lead Nathan Fillion and co-star Jenna Dewan revealed that while the international shoot felt like a “James Bond movie,” one key cast member’s experience was more of a medical nightmare. Bridget Regan, who plays the deliciously devious attorney Monica Stevens, found herself trading her character’s high heels for a hospital gown during the filming of the Season 8 premiere.

For the first time in the show’s eight-season history, The Rookie went truly global. The season 8 premiere takes the action to Europe, specifically Prague, to resolve the looming threat involving Monica Stevens and her secret immunity deal.

Bridget Regan’s character, Monica, has become the antagonist we love to hate. Since Season 5, she’s been the ultimate thorn in the side of the LAPD. In Season 8, she is essentially forced into a “babysitting” situation with Nolan and Bailey, making her presence vital to the opening arc.

Getting sick is never fun, but being hospitalized in a foreign country while trying to film a major television premiere is a recipe for stress. Regan later released a statement through Entertainment Weekly, describing the ordeal as “unlucky” and the food poisoning as “truly nasty.”

Thankfully, the medical care in Prague was top-notch. Regan credited the hospital staff, the on-set medic, and a heavy regimen of “fluids and meds” for getting her back on her feet. It’s a testament to her professionalism that she managed to get back in character so quickly after such a debilitating illness.

In her statement, Regan expressed deep gratitude to Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan for being “kind, generous, and supportive.” In Hollywood, where schedules are tight and pressure is high, having co-stars who check in on your health rather than just your “call time” makes a world of difference.

Despite the scare, Regan shared a poignant memory of being able to walk through those gorgeous Prague streets in Monica’s signature heels after her recovery. It was a moment of victory after a week of physical struggle.

Nolan’s reluctance to work with Monica is a major theme this season. Fillion calls her presence a “stick in the craw.” The irony isn’t lost on fans: while the character was busy making Nolan’s life miserable on screen, the actress was fighting her own battle off-screen.

The Rookie cast is famous for doing their own stunts, which has led to a “laundry list” of real-world injuries over the years. Bridget’s illness is just the latest in a series of events that prove how physically demanding this show can be.

H4: Melissa O’Neil’s Concussion
Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen) famously cracked her head on concrete—twice—resulting in a “full-on concussion” that caused personality changes and nausea.

H4: Shawn Ashmore’s Broken Rib
Shawn Ashmore (Wesley Evers) once tackled a guy for a scene and felt a “lightning bolt” through his body. He finished the day, only to find out five days later that he had been walking around with a broken rib.

If you’re a fan of ABC’s hit procedural The Rookie, you know that the season 7 finale left us on a massive cliffhanger. We’re all dying to see John Nolan and Bailey Nune head to Europe to track down a terrorist cell. But as the production moved from the sunny streets of Los Angeles to the historic cobbles of Prague, Czech Republic, the drama wasn’t just happening in front of the cameras.

Recently, series lead Nathan Fillion and co-star Jenna Dewan revealed that while the international shoot felt like a “James Bond movie,” one key cast member’s experience was more of a medical nightmare. Bridget Regan, who plays the deliciously devious attorney Monica Stevens, found herself trading her character’s high heels for a hospital gown during the filming of the Season 8 premiere.

For the first time in the show’s eight-season history, The Rookie went truly global. The season 8 premiere takes the action to Europe, specifically Prague, to resolve the looming threat involving Monica Stevens and her secret immunity deal.

Bridget Regan’s character, Monica, has become the antagonist we love to hate. Since Season 5, she’s been the ultimate thorn in the side of the LAPD. In Season 8, she is essentially forced into a “babysitting” situation with Nolan and Bailey, making her presence vital to the opening arc.

Getting sick is never fun, but being hospitalized in a foreign country while trying to film a major television premiere is a recipe for stress. Regan later released a statement through Entertainment Weekly, describing the ordeal as “unlucky” and the food poisoning as “truly nasty.”

Thankfully, the medical care in Prague was top-notch. Regan credited the hospital staff, the on-set medic, and a heavy regimen of “fluids and meds” for getting her back on her feet. It’s a testament to her professionalism that she managed to get back in character so quickly after such a debilitating illness.

In her statement, Regan expressed deep gratitude to Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan for being “kind, generous, and supportive.” In Hollywood, where schedules are tight and pressure is high, having co-stars who check in on your health rather than just your “call time” makes a world of difference.

Despite the scare, Regan shared a poignant memory of being able to walk through those gorgeous Prague streets in Monica’s signature heels after her recovery. It was a moment of victory after a week of physical struggle.

Nolan’s reluctance to work with Monica is a major theme this season. Fillion calls her presence a “stick in the craw.” The irony isn’t lost on fans: while the character was busy making Nolan’s life miserable on screen, the actress was fighting her own battle off-screen.

The Rookie cast is famous for doing their own stunts, which has led to a “laundry list” of real-world injuries over the years. Bridget’s illness is just the latest in a series of events that prove how physically demanding this show can be.

H4: Melissa O’Neil’s Concussion
Melissa O’Neil (Lucy Chen) famously cracked her head on concrete—twice—resulting in a “full-on concussion” that caused personality changes and nausea.

H4: Shawn Ashmore’s Broken Rib
Shawn Ashmore (Wesley Evers) once tackled a guy for a scene and felt a “lightning bolt” through his body. He finished the day, only to find out five days later that he had been walking around with a broken rib.