Why did Titus Makin Jr leave his role as Jackson West on The Rookie?

There detective drama series “The Rookie” of ABC was marked by the unexpected exit of Titus Makin Jr., who played Officer Jackson West. His departure after the third season was particularly shocking to fans, leaving a notable void in the cast.

Personal Reasons Behind the Decision

The actor made this decision following a complex social and personal context. He explained that the tragic events of 2020, including the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, were times of deep reflection for him.

As a black actor playing a police officer, he found himself conflicted with the role of Jackson West, which did not address issues of systemic racism and police violence.

Titus Makin Jr. opened a meaningful dialogue with Alexi Hawley, the showrunner of the series. He expressed his discomfort with continuing to play a police officer without addressing the real issues facing black communities in the United States. His need for consistency and artistic integrity ultimately led him to request his removal from the show, a decision that Hawley respected and supported.

THE Makin Jr.’s departure was dramatically staged : his character was killed during a confrontation.

This created a poignant moment in the series, highlighted by a touching tribute when Angela Lopez’s character, played by Alyssa Diaz, named her newborn son after Jackson West.