Viewers are curious to know why Jackson West played by Titus Makin left The Rookie, despite being one of the key characters. Introduced in Season 1, Jackson was portrayed as a smart rookie officer in the LAPD, with a thorough knowledge of procedures and penal codes. His intriguing personality and dedication to his job helped him advance in the LAPD, achieving the rank of Officer II by Season 3. However, during the same season, he abruptly disappeared, raising suspicions among fans regarding the reasons for his sudden departure. So, why did Titus Makin’s Jackson West leave The Rookie?
Here’s a detailed look at why Makin exited the series.
Here’s why Titus Makin’s Jackson West left The Rookie
There was no official reason stated for why Titus Makin’s Jackson West left The Rookie. However, the actor’s earlier comments suggest that the real reason stemmed from personal beliefs.
The fourth season began with a shocking revelation: not only was Angela Lopez kidnapped from her wedding venue, but Jackson West was also taken. The kidnappers were working for the drug trafficker La Fiera. Later, it was revealed that West had been shot and killed by his kidnappers. His death was not shown on-screen; instead, he was killed off-screen. The sudden departure of Titus Makin left many fans in shock.
Later, in a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Makin addressed his abrupt exit during the Season 3 run due to the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor killings. He revealed that amid the “Black Lives Matter” moment, he saw many black individuals speaking up, inspiring him to find his voice as well.
“A lot of people are finding a voice, and I found that for myself, where I was like, ‘Oh wow, I’ve been complacent. I woke up one morning and I was watching the news, and I was like, ‘I can’t do this,” he said. After learning about the brutal killings, he gave up on the black cop role, given his character’s contradictory representation in the series as compared to reality.
“I can’t go play a cop on a show and not talk about the fact that I’m a Black cop. My character hadn’t addressed any of that,” he continues. He then spoke to showrunner Alexi Hawley and put forward his concerns. He also allowed them to write off his character but he had no intention of portraying a character, whose representation ignores reality. Hawley understood his concerns and points, ultimately addressing his character’s exit in the next season.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon.net.
