Richard T. Jones shares his reflections on 7 seasons of ‘The Rookie’ on ABC – and counting!

HOLLYWOOD — Richard T. Jones is always happy to talk about “The Rookie.” He’s been doing it now for seven seasons.

“Now I’m a lieutenant. Lt. Grey! And I make everybody say Lt. Grey, too!” Jones said with a laugh.

He’s been playing the boss on “The Rookie” since the show debuted in 2018. To say he loves his job might be an understatement.

“Jones expressed his excitement by saying, ‘This is the best show I’ve ever had. It’s definitely the best work environment I’ve ever experienced. This is why I became an actor – we get to play every day and get paid for it. It’s like playing cops and robbers, but for real!’

The character portrayed by Jones has always been portrayed as tough, blunt, and honest. However, after spending years playing this role, the actor shared that viewers will now see a softer side, showcasing the care his character has for his colleagues.

“Lt. Grey really cares about his team,” Jones explained. “He wants each member to succeed and believes in their individual greatness. His ultimate goal is to bring out the best in everyone he works with.”

We are still waiting to hear if “The Rookie” will be back for an eighth season, but Jones would be happy to see it around for a 38th season — and counting!

“I hope we go on for a very, very long time,” he said. “You know, I can have … a cane, walking around chasing people, like, ‘Stop! Stop!’ You know, I don’t care,” he said.

Catch “The Rookie” Tuesday nights on ABC at 9/8C and streaming the next day on Hulu.

Disney is the parent company of ABC, Hulu, and this station.