{"id":53920,"date":"2024-06-27T13:25:08","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T11:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2063625"},"modified":"2024-06-27T14:50:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T12:50:48","slug":"the-rookie-star-says-chenford-romance-only-happened-because-of-fans","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/the-rookie-star-says-chenford-romance-only-happened-because-of-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rookie star says \u2018Chenford\u2019 romance only happened because of fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eric Winter, who plays Tim Bradford, explains how a fan “movement” impacted the show’s storylines. <\/p>

By Morgan Jeffery\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 27 June 2024 at 11:25 AM<\/p>

\n\n

The Rookie star Eric Winter has admitted he \u201cnever\u201d anticipated an on-screen romance between his character Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen (Melissa O\u2019Neil).<\/p>\n

The characters\u2019 dynamic on the cop drama started out with Bradford as Chen\u2019s no-nonsense training officer, but their relationship softened over time, developing into friendship and eventually something more.<\/p>\n

Speaking to\u00a0RadioTimes.com<\/a>, Winter insisted that it was a positive response to the pairing from viewers that inspired its writers to put Chen and Bradford \u2013 dubbed \u201cChenford\u201d by fans \u2013 together as a couple.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never saw it going in this direction,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve said it before, this was a relationship created by the fans for the fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, the fans really dictated this. I knew we\u2019d be a partnership and we joked about a little ship name as partners, but never thinking it would really go to where it went.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fans built this up and created it, the writers listened and the actors did their job to bring it on its feet. So I never saw it [coming]. But kudos to the fans because they created the movement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Three\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The Rookie.<\/span><\/figcaption> ABC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The sixth season of The Rookie<\/a> launches on Sky and NOW today (27th June) and there is plenty more drama in store for \u201cChenford\u201d, with Winter revealing that he stays plugged in to fan reactions on social media as the latest twists and turns for the couple unfold.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the best fandom I\u2019ve ever been a part of,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen or been a part of something that was this massive, especially on social media, where the fans just live and breathe this relationship and the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI keep tabs on it, I see what people are talking about. I just love the support. I love the passion our fans have, and the commitment \u2013 they give it their all and they do so much extra side work just to promote [the show].<\/p>\n

\u201cI also love the relationships that have been formed on social media with so many fans where they meet and they become friends and take trips to see each other \u2013 it\u2019s a community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following a 10-part sixth season, The Rookie will return for a seventh run of episodes, which was green-lit by ABC in April 2024 and is now filming.<\/p>\n

[squirrel-affiliate-playlist squirrel_playlist_id=\u201d610\u2033 \/]<\/p>\n

The Rookie season 6 is available on Sky and NOW from 27th June.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of our\u00a0Drama<\/a>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Streaming Guide<\/a>\u00a0to find out what\u2019s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to\u00a0The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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