Eric Winter: The Rookie, Becoming a TikTok Icon & Palm Republic Rum
Elvis Duran and the Morning Show ON DEMAND
Elvis Duran Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
4.7 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 17 February 2026
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, Tommy is joined by actor Eric Winter, best known for his role as Tim Bradford on ABC’s long-running hit The Rookie. Now heading into season eight, Eric reflects on being part of such a successful show and how his role has evolved alongside him. He opens up about Tim’s journey from a tough, controversial training officer in season one to one half of one of the show’s most talked about slow burn relationships. Eric discusses how the writers listened to fans in developing Tim and Lucy’s romance, the pressure of delivering storylines audiences are deeply invested in, and if he and Lucy belong together. He also shares what it was like filming pivotal moments for his character. Also, he shares how portraying law enforcement has deepened his appreciation for the real-life officers who inspire the series.
Beyond the show, Eric talks about longevity…what keeps The Rookie feeling fresh after eight seasons, the chemistry of a cast that genuinely gets along, and how social media and TikTok have reshaped fan engagement. He reflects on how he wants Tim to be remembered one day when the series ends. This conversation also explores entrepreneurship and launching his rum brand (Palm Republic Rum) with intention, his perspective on acting as a job rather than his identity, and the importance of taking time for himself outside of work.
Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before. This episode is presented by Travel Guard.
Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny, Celia Romano
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is an I-Heart podcast. |
| 0:02.6 | Guaranteed Human. |
| 0:05.3 | Hey guys, welcome to I've never said this before with me, Tommy DeDario. |
| 0:11.7 | This guest, man, he has been one of the most requested people to come on my show. |
| 0:17.2 | And I get it. |
| 0:18.0 | I get it. |
| 0:19.0 | He is a brilliant actor. |
| 0:20.6 | He is a total badass of a human. And he came bearing cocktails. And I get it. I get it. He is a brilliant actor. He is a total badass of a human, |
| 0:22.5 | and he came bearing cocktails, and yes, they were delicious. Eric Winter stars in the ABC hit |
| 0:29.7 | series, The Rookie, playing the fan favorite role of Sergeant Tim Bradford. Now, the Rookie is one of |
| 0:35.5 | ABC's top scripted dramas and one of Hulu's most watch shows |
| 0:39.3 | with over 500 million hours streamed since 2018. |
| 0:42.8 | And this is all for good reason. |
| 0:44.3 | The storylines, the characters, his characters, slow burn relationship with Lucy and |
| 0:49.8 | so many more things make it the perfect binge-worthy show. |
| 0:53.7 | And before we dive into this conversation, a big shout out to Travel Guard, my personal |
| 0:58.3 | sponsor for today's episode. |
| 1:00.3 | So I don't know about you guys. |
| 1:02.1 | But I'm thinking all about spring and summer vacation plans because New York City is cold. |
| 1:06.7 | And Travel Guard's mission is to make sure we safely and peacefully say hello to our next travel |
| 1:11.6 | destination. So a vacation insurance plan from Travel Guard. It helps to protect your trip |
| 1:16.5 | investment with coverages like trip cancellation and interruption, medical expense and evacuation, |
... |
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