Why Nathan Fillion’s First Meeting With The Rookie’s Pete Davidson Left Him ‘Ashamed’

Turning up to show his face is one thing, but being able to deliver something of substance was a great surprise for Nathan Fillion when Pete Davidson appeared as Pete Nolan, John’s half-brother. Initially appearing in Season 2, Episode 13, «Follow-Up Day,» his character delivered enough that he returned in Season 4, Episodes 5, «A.C.H.,» and 22, «Day in the Hole.» Fillion has nothing but praise for his co-star, who — besides being who we have to thank for Joe Pesci’s return to comedy in «Bupkis» — makes for a great on-screen sibling.

«He’s wildly talented and always brings a flavor to the character that’s realistic,» said Fillion. «It’s been a pleasure seeing what this unlikely friend of mine can do with being an unlikely half-brother and friend to my character.»

Unfortunately, even with the big celebrations during Season 6, Episode 2, «The Hammer,» the show’s 100th installment, Pete Nolan is nowhere to be found. Instead, it is revealed by Skip Tracer Randy (Flula Borg, another of Fillion’s co-stars from «The Suicide Squad») that he had to turn him in for unpaid parking tickets, which certainly fits the bill for John Nolan’s half-brother. Fingers crossed that Pete gets his fines cleared up and returns to «The Rookie» somewhere down the line.