The Rookie star Tru Valentino shares a heartfelt response to his exit from the hit ABC show ahead of season 7. It was recently reported that Valentino, who plays Aaron Thorsen, would be departing from The Rookie cast. Valentino made his first appearance as Aaron in season 4 before being upgraded to a series regular as of season 5. He has appeared consistently on the show since then, including throughout its strike-shortened season 6.

As reported by TV Insider, the now-former Rookie star reacted to leaving The Rookie via his Instagram Stories.

Valentino, a frequent voice actor also known for voicing Cuphead, reflected positively on his time with the series and seemed to suggest that Aaron could still appear in the future. He writes, in part, “You never know who may pop back up in the Mid-Wilshire Precinct.” Valentino’s posts are included above.

Why Tru Valentino’s Rookie Season 7 Exit May Be Organic

Perhaps Aaron Moved On From The Force

For those unfamiliar with Valentino’s character, Aaron is introduced to The Rookie as a bit of a social media celebrity who gets into some trouble. After being acquitted in a high-profile trial, he joins the force and works closely with John Nolan (played by lead actor Nathan Fillion). After a few seasons of exploring police work, it could just be the case that the wealthy character favors going back to a less stressful life.

Although nothing is confirmed just yet, The Rookie season 7 could bring back Aaron Thorsen as a guest character based on Valentino’s tease. There may be a situation where one of his former teammates visits him to ask for advice and, in the process, the show could reveal what Aaron has been up to. In any case, it’s probable that the first few episodes will address Aaron’s absence. It remains to be seen how exactly he will be written off.

The Rookie season 7, which does not currently have a premiere date on ABC, will welcome two new characters to address the gap created by Aaron’s departure. The first is Miles (played by All American’s Deric Augustine), who is described as a newbie despite having two years of experience. The second new character is Seth (played by Patrick Keleher in his TV debut), who is not ready for high-pressure situations. All in all, the long-running ABC staple is experimenting while still maintaining a consistent supporting set of actors.

The show’s supporting cast includes Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, Jenna Dewan, and Shawn Ashmore.