The Rookie star Bridget Regan stands out as one of the most remarkable acting talents in contemporary television. Despite her impressive range, she often finds herself cast as the villain across various roles in the past decade. This trend began with her portrayal of the antagonist Rachel Turner in White Collar Season 5. Following that, in the series Agent Carter, she took on the role of the Red Room assassin Dottie Underwood. Regan’s versatility was further showcased in Jane the Virgin, where she played the infamous drug lord Rose Solano. In the popular comic book adaptation Batwoman, she embodied the iconic DC Comics villain Poison Ivy. Most recently, Regan portrayed the nefarious lawyer Monica Stevens in The Rookie, a character who evolves into a formidable crime boss and fugitive. Additionally, she made a notable guest appearance on 9-1-1, playing a researcher in an infectious disease lab whose actions inadvertently led to a tragic event involving Bobby, portrayed by Peter Krause. As such, the time has come for this talented actress to transition from her well-known villain roles to a more heroic lead in her career.
Monica Stevens Evolves Into a Central Villain in Season 6 of ‘The Rookie’
To provide some context, Monica Stevens did not initially appear as an outright villain when she first appeared in Season 5 of The Rookie. In her debut episode titled “The Reckoning,” she was introduced as the Machiavellian lawyer representing the gangster Elijah Stone (Brandon Jay McLaren). Furthermore, she is also depicted as the ex-fiancée of series regular Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore). However, her true character was revealed when she ultimately betrayed Stone in “The Enemy Within,” acting purely in self-interest and facilitating the authorities in Stone’s arrest. This backstory adds depth to her character and sets the stage for her future actions.
Monica’s transformation into a fully-fledged villain is solidified in Season 6. In a gripping multi-episode arc, it becomes apparent that LAPD psychiatrist Dr. Blair London (Danielle Campbell) was providing Monica with confidential information from her patient sessions. Monica took this information and sold it to the criminal underworld, severely disrupting LAPD operations. Additionally, she resorted to bribing and blackmailing LAPD officers to gain their allegiance. While Bridget Regan showcases her incredible acting talent in any role, Monica seemed to resonate more with audiences before her full descent into villainy. Initially, she presented as an unscrupulous lawyer and antihero, suggesting she had moral boundaries she would not cross. However, all preconceived notions about Monica were shattered in Season 6 when she began building her own criminal empire. This evolution was a predictable yet compelling trajectory for her character, especially given Regan’s history of playing similar roles.
Related
‘The Winchesters’ Welcomes Bridget Regan to ‘Supernatural’ Prequel Series
Regan will join a talented cast that includes Meg Donnelly, Drake Rodger, and Bianca Kajlich.
The Frequent Villain Roles of Bridget Regan Risk Typecasting in Her Career
A significant concern regarding Regan’s frequent portrayal of villainous or antagonistic characters is the risk of typecasting, which could potentially hinder her career trajectory. This typecasting often makes any secrets or plot twists related to her characters more predictable. For instance, the plot twist involving Monica Stevens in The Rookie mirrors another role Regan played as a defense attorney in the acclaimed series Jane the Virgin, where her character Rose Solano initially presented as benevolent, only to be revealed later as the secret crime lord Sin Rostro. Consequently, the Season 6 reveal of Monica’s growing criminal enterprise felt less shocking. The main difference lies in Monica’s earlier portrayal, where she exhibited a degree of ruthlessness and cunning, yet it remained ambiguous whether she would embark on such a dark path.
Regan has consistently played characters who ultimately reveal themselves as central villains within their respective narratives. This frequent typecasting suggests that future casting choices for Regan could inadvertently spoil potential villainous plot twists in forthcoming roles. If her character does not initially appear to be the antagonist, audiences may assume she is secretly harboring ulterior motives, resulting in predictability. Despite often being cast as the villain, Regan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic actress with a broad range that extends far beyond these roles. Although she has been primarily typecast as antagonistic characters, her experience includes many heroic leads, showcasing her impressive versatility.
Bridget Regan’s Breakout Role Featured a Heroic Lead Character
Bridget Regan’s breakout role was in the 2008 fantasy series, Legend of the Seeker, which is based on Terry Goodkind‘s beloved fantasy book series The Sword of Truth. Regan portrayed the show’s female lead, Kahlan Amnell, an iconic character that embodied heroism and compassion throughout the series. Although the show was regrettably canceled after just two seasons, it left many fans yearning for closure regarding Kahlan’s ongoing romance with the protagonist, Richard Cypher (Craig Horner). Additionally, Regan showcased her heroic side in several seasons of The Last Ship, where she played Sasha Cooper, a Navy Intelligence officer. Her character was the love interest of the series’ main hero, Tom Chandler (Eric Dane), and together they formed a compelling endgame couple. Despite her frequent casting as villains, Regan has undeniably demonstrated her ability to embody heroic characters with depth and nuance.
Bridget Regan Deserves More Opportunities in Heroic Leading Roles
The cunning Monica Stevens made a recent appearance in The Rookie Season 7 and is slated to return later this season. While it is fantastic to see Regan back as Monica Stevens, it would be equally intriguing to see her explore new avenues in her future roles. Regan excels at portraying diabolical and cunning villains, but she possesses the incredible versatility needed to tackle a wide array of characters. Having proven herself time and again, she deserves to lead or headline significant projects. It would be refreshing to see Regan take on the mantle of a series lead, playing a more heroic character that allows her talents to shine in a different light.
Whenever Regan graces the screen, her compelling presence captures the attention of viewers. For instance, her brief yet impactful interaction with Keanu Reeves in the 2014 action-thriller John Wick, where she plays the Continental Hotel bartender Addy, highlights her ability to create chemistry in any scene. This short moment hints at a long-standing relationship between the two characters, showcasing her talent for leaving a lasting impression. Regan’s ability to effortlessly transition between hero and villain roles underscores her remarkable versatility. Casting her in a heroic role would not only disrupt audience expectations but also provide her with the opportunity to lead in a series where the action and narrative are centered around her character. It would be thrilling to witness Regan in a role that truly highlights her range and depth.
New episodes of The Rookie air on Tuesdays on ABC in the United States.
