"Are incredible": When The Rookie cast shared their feelings about the 'Chenford' love they get from fans

One of the most loved couples of The Rookie series? That's Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter)- the iconic Chenford couple.

Tim and Lucy started on a strictly professional and no-nonsense note (a training officer and a rookie). But after years of trust, tension, and facing near-death moments together, Chenford's slow-burning romance proved that the best relationship starts with a great partnership.

In an interview with TV Insider, released on February 22, 2024, Melissa O'Neil and Eric Winter spoke about the love and respect they receive from Chenford fans. Melissa said,

"I mean, the Chenford fans are incredible, they are the reason why we get to tell some of the really fun stories that we get to tell. But I will say I have to give credit to Eric he really planted the seed from the very very beginning, including the hashtag."

Eric Winter revealed that the hashtag Chenford was initially used to define their partnership and not as a couple. Instead, he gave credit to the Chenford fans for building the storyline and making it popular. He revealed that even the writers eventually embraced the Chenford fan theories, proving the fans drove their story forward. He said,

"The fans and I think this is why it's been such an impactful storyline for them. I feel like they (fans) have complete ownership of the story. I feel like they created it. You know they saw it before any of us really saw it going to the direction it went. They have the real stake in the game, and I think the writer's room in particular is starting to listen a lot and jump in with It, and we just came up with a funny ship name."

Melissa explained how the honest dynamics of Tim and Lucy were crucial to the plot. She told TV Insider,

"Alexi Hawley (showrunner) and the writers have stayed true to why they (Chenford) got together in the first place- it is that dynamic that they are teasing each other, they are real with each other and call each other on their stuff and there's an honesty between them."

The Rookie: A brief outlook of Chenford's relationship timeline

Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford's relationship faced several ups and downs, and it is one of the best slow-burning romances of any police procedural show. It evolved from a strict training officer-rookie dynamic in Season 1 to a romantic one by Season 5 Episode 9, when they realized their true feelings for each other. Their relationship deepened as Lucy pursued undercover work and Tim helped her prepare for the detective exam. Tim's secrecy about his military past caused rifts in their relationship, which led Tim to initiate a breakup in The Rookie Season 6, Episode 6. However, in the Season 6 finale, when Lucy heroically saved Tim, he realized his fault. Tim asked for forgiveness and promised to be with her forever. However, their reconciliation is yet to happen. Throughout Season 7, the duo was back to their old professional dynamic. Even after Tim's confession in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 8, when they faced a near-death experience trapped in a wildfire, the couple did not reconcile. However, things turned quite hopeful for Chenford fans after the recent episode of The Rookie.

In The Rookie Season 7 Episode 15, Lucy revealed under the truth serum that she had forgiven Tim, while he kept explaining his breakup as a self-punishment stemming from his childhood trauma. Even though they remain professional partners with unresolved romantic tension, it's only a matter of time before we see the favourite couple together.

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Also read: The Rookie Season 7 Episode 8: Lucy doesn't get back with Tim, and here's the reason why

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