Once We Were Rookies with Melissa O'Neil | Once We Were Spacemen, Ep. 9

Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Guest: Melissa O’Neil

Episode Overview

This heartfelt, humorous episode of Once We Were Spacemen features Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk catching up with Melissa O’Neil, best known for her roles in Dark Matter and The Rookie. The conversation dives into Melissa's journey from Canadian Idol winner to working actress, her process both on and off camera, the dynamics of working in Hollywood as Canadians, and the unique energy she brings to her roles and sets. The episode is rich with stories of learning, humility, vulnerability, and industry insights—punctuated by laughter, camaraderie, and a few fart jokes.

Key Discussion Points

1. Canadian Roots and Industry Reputation

• Melissa’s Canadian Identity:

  • Born in Calgary, Alberta, Melissa discusses how being Canadian shapes how people perceive her in LA and how the set of The Rookie is "loaded with Canadians."
    • "I think generally people give Canadians the benefit of the doubt and assume that we are operating with best intent." (Melissa, 13:13)
  • The specific dynamic and reputation of Canadians in the entertainment industry is highlighted, comparing the "paths" Canadians and Americans take to get things done (13:46).

• Canadian Cultural Shorthands:

  • Plenty of good-natured teasing about pronunciations ("process or process?") and the perceived “kindness” Canadians bring to Hollywood (12:17).

2. Career Beginnings, Mentorship, and Character Building

• Early Influences & Setting the Tone on Set:

  • Nathan shares his approach: "I just decided I’m only going to make choices I could be proud of that I could make in front of my parents." (Nathan, 15:01)

• Transition from Singer to Actor:

  • Melissa recounts her Canadian Idol experience, emotional challenges as a teen, and the transition to theater and acting.
    • "It is an entirely different beast to be the front and center piece of product that’s getting thrust out into the world when you were just in school at rugby practice the other day." (Melissa, 16:01)

• Musical Theater as “School”:

  • Melissa credits musical theater and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival as her real conservatory experience (19:57).
  • She talks about the difference between theater and television in terms of rehearsal and "presence" (21:08–22:59).

• Learning On The Fly:

  • Shares stories of learning the ropes on TV, from missing technical marks to standing up for process and accuracy, highlighting her neurodivergence as an asset for high-stakes urgency (22:59–23:19, 27:30–28:48).

3. Experiences on Set & Professional Dynamics

• The Rookie Audition Story:

  • Melissa’s memorable audition included pausing to do squats to warm up—demonstrating confidence and self-care (33:13–34:37).
  • Nathan admired Melissa for "controlling the room unapologetically," something that took him years to master (36:44).

• Fast-Paced TV and Attention to Detail:

  • Melissa admits she is deeply concerned with details, sourcing that motivation from her mother’s meticulousness making Subway sandwiches (31:06).

• Collaboration and Conflict:

  • Both Nathan and Melissa talk about the challenge and necessity of speaking up about accuracy (e.g., not picking up their own police equipment) and how their creative input is valued and navigated (40:04–42:55).
  • "You are always right. There’s a–I think you should have a confidence in that much." (Nathan to Melissa, 42:38)

• Navigating Collaboration with Seniority:

  • Melissa discusses the evolving challenge of expressing a divergent opinion on set and balancing collaboration with a sense of “seniority” (55:45).

4. Process, Craft, & Chemistry

• Preparation Strategies:

  • Melissa prepares "contingencies" to compensate for the lack of rehearsal time in TV, readying several emotional options for her scenes (44:34–46:57):
    • "Those are the details that I get super nerdy about and try to get creative around. And that's my homework." (Melissa, 00:00 & 44:34)

• Teamwork & Problem-Solving:

  • Both speak to the teamwork ethos on The Rookie, the joy of working with an emotionally invested cast and crew, and the support they receive, especially during heavy emotional scenes (47:42–48:56).

• On-Screen Chemistry:

  • The elusive art of playing chemistry is likened to making “something turn on behind the eyeballs,” with Melissa reflecting that sincere warmth and presence create genuine connections (59:01–60:47).

5. Light-Hearted Moments & Social Media Follies

• TikTok & Social Media Banter:

  • Melissa is credited with getting Nathan on TikTok; they discuss the fun and anxiety of posting, their "good sides," facial insecurities, and the peril of spoilers (49:15–53:24).

• Fart Pranks on Set:

  • A running joke about Melissa’s love for fart noises, including playful stories about a fart machine disrupting tension and prompting wheezy laughter during a spoiler scare (52:42–54:22).

6. Personal Adventures and Looking Ahead

• IRL Friendship:

  • Nathan and Melissa reflect on their Disneyland and wolf sanctuary adventures, highlighting their real-life bond outside of work (61:10–62:49).

• Future on The Rookie:

  • Both muse openly about continuing on The Rookie as long as possible, with Nathan expressing hope Melissa will eventually take the lead role (62:54–64:01):
    • “My dream, my plan…is to do this as long as I’m able, and then…hand it off to you.” (Nathan, 63:11)

• On Show Culture:

  • They credit the showrunner Alexi and the “village” on set for the positive, collaborative culture (64:12–64:54).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Craft & Character

• “I just decided I’m only going to make choices I could be proud of that I could make in front of my parents.” — Nathan (15:01)
• "If my mom can be epic at making somebody's Subway sandwiches...pretty much nobody has an excuse not to do what they're given and do it well." — Melissa (31:19)

On Acting Process

• “Have five great ideas and be prepared to go with one that’s different and better.” — Nathan (47:06)
• “There are shorthands...that only come from time spent. If you don't get that time, we need to manufacture these things. That's my homework.” — Melissa (00:00, 44:34)

On Set Dynamics

• “You are always right. There’s a—I think you should have a confidence in that much.” — Nathan to Melissa (42:38)
• “If it’s in your control, control it. Take care of business.” — Nathan (36:59)

On Chemistry

• “There’s, like, a thing that turns on behind the eyeballs… It’s very intimate to gaze at another person with affection.” — Melissa (59:01)

On Fart Pranks and Playfulness

• “You think fart sounds are funny.” — Nathan
  “I think fart sounds are hilarious, yes.” — Melissa (49:01)

On the Future

• “I hope I turn 60 on this program. I can see that possibility…I do see the show continuing without me, and I see it continuing in your capable hands.” — Nathan (63:39–64:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |------------|------------------------------------| | 00:00–00:33 | Melissa on manufacturing on-screen history and shorthands | | 05:02–07:28 | Being 'the old guy' and working with younger actors | | 09:51–13:13 | Melissa’s Canadian identity in Hollywood & accents | | 14:24–15:14 | Nathan’s early career values & parental influence | | 16:01–17:19 | Melissa on being thrust into fame at 17 | | 19:57–22:08 | The value of musical theater as a training ground | | 27:30–28:48 | Learning TV acting on the fly & standing up for accuracy | | 33:13–34:37 | Melissa’s audition story—pausing to do squats | | 39:19–41:00 | Protecting police authenticity in The Rookie | | 44:34–46:57 | Melissa’s preparation and “contingency” strategy | | 48:56–50:13 | On the support of their cast and crew | | 52:42–54:22 | Fart machine story & social media spoilers | | 55:45–58:00 | The challenge of collaborating and voicing opinions as you gain seniority | | 59:01–60:47 | The mechanics of on-screen chemistry | | 61:10–62:49 | Real-life friendship & animal sanctuary adventures | | 62:54–64:01 | Nathan’s vision for passing the torch on The Rookie |

Tone & Takeaway

The episode perfectly balances playful banter, introspective industry insights, and genuine warmth. The trio’s rapport is infectious, and Melissa O’Neil’s openness about her process, insecurities, and joys brings both relatability and inspiration. Listeners will laugh, feel seen in their own anxieties, and come away with an appreciation for the hard but joyful work of being both a team player and a craftsman in television.

Must-listen for fans of process, character-driven acting, and anyone who loves seeing what real creative friendships look like behind the scenes.