Patrick Keleher, who portrays the embattled LAPD trainee, confirmed he is exiting the hit ABC series ahead of the Season 7 finale, telling ScreenRant, “Yeah. I am done in season 7.”
His confirmation follows a dramatic turn of events in episode 16, “The Return,” that left fans reeling.
After a surprise return to the LAPD training program — following a controversial lawsuit over medical discrimination — Ridley appeared poised for a long-term redemption arc.
His re-entry sparked tension across the department, especially with Officer John Nolan, who was reluctantly assigned as Ridley’s training officer.
However, things took a drastic turn when Ridley saved Nolan’s life during a high-risk operation, only to be shot in the leg in the process. The injury proved too severe, and surgeons were forced to amputate his leg.
Though Nolan encouraged Ridley not to give up — saying, “Your career is only over if you want it to be” — Keleher’s departure suggests the character’s journey is being paused, if not concluded entirely.
While ABC has already greenlit The Rookie Season 8, there’s no word yet on whether Keleher will return. Given the open-ended nature of his final scene, a guest appearance or recovery update isn’t out of the question.
Ridley’s storyline — from faking illness to becoming a hero and losing a limb — sparked conversation about inclusion in law enforcement.
“The path to becoming a police officer with a prosthetic leg is challenging but achievable,” noted prosthetist Eddie Zepeda in a 2024 editorial. It’s a sentiment the show echoed through Nolan’s closing words, pointing to a possible future for Ridley beyond the badge.
For now, though, fans will have to wait and see whether Ridley’s next chapter is told on screen — or left to the imagination.
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