Has Jenna Dewan Left The Rookie? All About Bailey Nune's Future

Prof. Trace Emmerich 28 Jul 2025

Have you been watching The Rookie lately and wondering where a familiar face has gone? Many fans, myself included, have certainly noticed a significant absence. That's right, we're talking about Jenna Dewan, who plays the much-loved character Bailey Nune on the popular ABC drama. Her disappearance from recent episodes has sparked quite a bit of chatter, and it's something that really gets people asking questions about what's happening with the show.

It's perfectly normal to feel a bit confused when a major character, especially one who's become such a central part of the story, suddenly isn't around. Jenna Dewan's character, Bailey Nune, has been a key figure since joining in season 3. She quickly became a love interest for John Nolan, and then, of course, his wife. So, when she wasn't there for the start of season 7, it definitely left a noticeable gap, particularly in Nolan’s storyline, and that's just a fact.

This article aims to clear up all the mystery surrounding Jenna Dewan's presence on The Rookie. We'll explore why she's been missing, when you can expect to see her back, and what the showrunners have said about her character's ongoing story. You'll get all the details you need to understand Bailey Nune's journey and her place in the show's future, so you know, it's pretty comprehensive.

Jenna Dewan: A Brief Look
The Question on Everyone's Mind: Has She Left?
Why Bailey Was Missing from Season 7
Her Return to The Rookie: When and How
Bailey Nune's Role and Fan Reactions
Looking Ahead: Bailey in Season 8 and Beyond
Frequently Asked Questions About Jenna Dewan on The Rookie
Wrapping Things Up on Bailey Nune's Future

Jenna Dewan: A Brief Look

Before we get into the specifics of her time on The Rookie, it's good to know a bit about the person behind the character. Jenna Dewan is an actress, a former model, and also a dancer. She was born on December 3, 1980, in Hartford, Connecticut. Her parents are Nancy Bursch and Darryll Dewan, and her father has a background that is half Syrian Lebanese and half Polish, which is pretty interesting, if you ask me.

Jenna's career has seen her in various roles, but many remember her from the movie "Step Up." She joined The Rookie in season 3 as Bailey Nune, a firefighter who quickly became a significant person in John Nolan's life. Initially, some fans, you know, sort of assumed she might just be a temporary love interest. But, as a matter of fact, her character grew to be much more than that, eventually becoming Nolan's wife. She has certainly made a mark on the show, and that's something we can all agree on.

Personal Details & Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Jenna Lee Dewan
Date of Birth	December 3, 1980
Age (as of late 2024)	44 years old
Birthplace	Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Occupation	Actress, Dancer, Former Model
Spouse	Steve Kazee (Fiancé)
Children	Daughter Rhiannon (with Steve Kazee), Daughter Everly (with Channing Tatum)
Role on The Rookie	Bailey Nune
First Appearance on The Rookie	Season 3

The Question on Everyone's Mind: Has She Left?

The big question, the one everyone's been asking, is "Has Jenna Dewan left The Rookie?" It's a very common query, especially since her character, Bailey Nune, was missing from the first two episodes of season 7. This absence, you know, naturally led to a lot of speculation among viewers. People were wondering if this was a permanent departure, or if Bailey was perhaps in some kind of danger again, similar to what happened in the season 5 episode "Death Sentence," which arguably put her in a tricky spot.

Good news for fans, though! The short answer to whether Jenna Dewan has left The Rookie is a clear and resounding "No." Showrunner Alexi Hawley, who really runs the show, confirmed to TVLine after the season 6 finale that while Jenna Dewan would not be in the very first part of season 7, she was definitely not leaving for good. This confirmation, in a way, helped put many worried minds at ease. So, basically, her absence was just temporary, which is a relief for many viewers.

Her absence, it's worth noting, had been somewhat expected, especially once the series got the green light for season 7. With the show not coming back until at least January, that could, you know, help with scheduling. But the main thing to remember is that Bailey is not leaving The Rookie in season 7. Alexi Hawley confirmed she would return in episode 3 and remain part of the show’s ongoing narrative, which is pretty important for Nolan's story and the overall feel of the series. So, you know, fans can breathe easy about that.

Why Bailey Was Missing from Season 7

So, if she hasn't left, why was Jenna Dewan missing from the start of The Rookie season 7? The primary reason, as it turns out, was maternity leave. Jenna Dewan gave birth to her daughter Rhiannon, her second baby with fiancé Steve Kazee, in June 2024. This timing, as a matter of fact, coincided with when production began on The Rookie season 7. It makes perfect sense, you know, that she would need some time off for such a significant life event.

Jenna Dewan herself finally addressed her absence from the show, taking to Instagram ahead of a new episode on Tuesday, January 21, to share a photo and explain things. She made it very clear that her time away was due to being on maternity leave. This explanation, basically, cleared up all the confusion that had been building among fans. It's really understandable that a new mother would need that time, and the show, you know, had to work around it.

While maternity leave was the main reason, there were also some scheduling conflicts mentioned as a cause for Jenna Dewan’s temporary departure from The Rookie. Production schedules can be pretty tight, and when you have a major life event like a baby, things just naturally need to shift. This meant that while she was definitely coming back, her return couldn't be right at the very beginning of the season. So, in some respects, it was a combination of personal and professional timing, which is pretty common in the entertainment world.

Her Return to The Rookie: When and How

The good news for everyone wondering is that Jenna Dewan has indeed returned to The Rookie! After being absent from the first two episodes of season 7, she started teasing her return, and showrunner Alexi Hawley also gave some hints. Fans can expect to see Bailey Nune back in action, with her character set to return in episode 3. This means her absence wasn't for too long, which is a relief for those who missed her on screen, you know, quite a bit.

Her return isn't just a brief appearance; she's set to remain part of the show’s ongoing narrative. Showrunner Alexi Hawley confirmed this, which is pretty reassuring. When Jenna Dewan first appeared as Bailey Nune in season 3, most fans, you know, sort of assumed her to be a simple love interest who might last for a few weeks at most. But she has truly become a foundational character, especially as John Nolan's wife, and her return is important for his storyline, actually.

Dewan has also given some insight into her character's storylines upon her return. She's broken down her own reaction to Bailey's big season 7 swings, finding empathy for the character and Bailey's marriage with Nolan. It seems she is set to return as Bailey Nune with significant storylines involving her character's adoption, which is a pretty interesting new direction for her. So, you know, it's not just a return; it's a return with purpose and new plot points to explore, which is exciting for fans, really.

Bailey Nune's Role and Fan Reactions

Bailey Nune, as played by Jenna Dewan, has held a very significant role in The Rookie since her introduction in season 3. She joined the show as a firefighter and quickly became John Nolan's love interest, eventually becoming his wife. Her character, you know, brings a lot to Nolan's personal life, providing a stable and supportive presence. She's often involved in storylines that show her strength and dedication, both as a firefighter and as a partner, which is pretty cool.

However, it's also true that fan reactions to Bailey have been, well, a bit mixed at times. While many viewers appreciate her character and her relationship with Nolan, some Rookie fans have, apparently, turned on Jenna Dewan’s Bailey. They've called her an "energy vampire" for, you know, seemingly stealing screen time and killing the show’s vibe. This kind of feedback is not uncommon for characters who become central to a show's main protagonist, and it's something the writers probably consider, actually.

Despite some of these reactions, Bailey's role is clearly important to the show's narrative, especially given her marriage to John Nolan. Her absence in season 7, for example, left a noticeable gap, particularly in Nolan’s storyline, which really highlighted her importance. The showrunner, Alexi Hawley, has also recently given some insight into the storylines fans will get to see from The Rookie season 8, and which they won't. Among those mentioned were storylines involving Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan's characters, suggesting her continued significance, which is good news for her fans.

Looking Ahead: Bailey in Season 8 and Beyond

The future for Bailey Nune on The Rookie looks pretty clear, and it involves her staying on the show. Showrunner Alexi Hawley confirmed that she will return in episode 3 of season 7 and remain part of the show’s ongoing narrative. This means viewers won't have to worry about her character being written out permanently. It's good to know that, you know, her story with John Nolan will continue to develop, which is something many fans look forward to, really.

Looking even further ahead, there's exciting news about season 8. The Rookie season 8 kicks off in Prague, with Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan leading the cast. This is a pretty big deal, as it suggests Bailey will be a central figure in the next season's adventures. To be honest, opening a season in a different country is a fresh approach for the show, and it highlights the importance of both Nolan and Bailey in these new storylines. You can learn more about the show's exciting future by exploring details about The Rookie's upcoming seasons on our site.

Alexi Hawley has also recently shared some insights into the storylines fans will get to see from The Rookie season 8. He touched upon which storylines will be featured and which won't. Among them were storylines involving Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan's characters, which, you know, pretty much confirms her continued presence and significance. It seems Bailey will have significant plot developments, possibly related to her adoption storyline, which could add a lot of depth to her character. This definitely keeps her character relevant and gives fans something to anticipate, actually.

So, basically, while Jenna Dewan was temporarily absent from the beginning of season 7 due to maternity leave and scheduling, she is back. Her character, Bailey Nune, is set to continue as a key part of The Rookie, with exciting storylines planned for both season 7 and the upcoming season 8. Fans can rest assured that Bailey is here to stay, and her journey with John Nolan will certainly continue to be a focus of the show, which is pretty great.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jenna Dewan on The Rookie

Many fans have questions about Jenna Dewan's role on The Rookie, especially after her recent absence. Here are some common questions people are asking, which might help clear things up for you, too.

Is Bailey Nune leaving The Rookie for good?

No, Bailey Nune is not leaving The Rookie permanently. Showrunner Alexi Hawley confirmed that while Jenna Dewan was absent from the first two episodes of season 7, she would return in episode 3 and remain a part of the show’s ongoing narrative. Her absence was temporary, so, you know, fans can expect to see her continue on the show.

Why was Jenna Dewan absent from the start of The Rookie Season 7?

Jenna Dewan's absence from the initial episodes of The Rookie season 7 was primarily due to maternity leave. She gave birth to her daughter Rhiannon in June 2024, which coincided with the start of the show's production. There were also some scheduling conflicts that played a role, but her personal life event was the main reason, as a matter of fact.

When will Jenna Dewan return to The Rookie?

Jenna Dewan returned to The Rookie in season 7, specifically in episode 3. She had been teasing her return after being absent from the first two episodes. Showrunner Alexi Hawley also confirmed this, so, basically, her character Bailey Nune is back on screen and will continue to be part of the series, which is pretty cool.

Wrapping Things Up on Bailey Nune's Future

So, to bring things to a close, the speculation around Jenna Dewan's departure from The Rookie can finally be put to rest. Her temporary absence from the beginning of season 7 was, as we've discussed, due to maternity leave and some scheduling adjustments. The good news is that she's back, and her character, Bailey Nune, is very much still a part of the show's fabric. Showrunner Alexi Hawley has been clear about her continued involvement, which is pretty reassuring for fans, you know.

Bailey's story with John Nolan will keep developing, and she's even set for significant storylines, including one about adoption, which could be quite compelling. Her presence is also confirmed for season 8, with exciting plans like the show kicking off in Prague. It's safe to say that Jenna Dewan's Bailey Nune is here to stay, and her journey on The Rookie is far from over. If you're curious about other cast updates or what's new with the show, you might want to check out this TV Insider page on The Rookie for more information, and you can always find more insights on The Rookie Season 7 cast changes right here on our site.

The Rookie Season 5 Episode 22, “Under Siege” | Tell-Tale TV

Jenna Dewan | The Rookie Wiki | Fandom

Photo: jenna dewan the rookie october 2021 05 | Photo 4651897 | Just

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