From Rookie to Regular: Deric Augustine Talks The Rookie, Stunts, and Finding His Purpose
Tuning into The Rookie this season brought two fresh faces to the Mid-Wilshire Division: Officer Miles Penn and Officer Seth Ridley, played by Deric Augustine and Patrick Keleher. While we’ve already gotten the inside scoop from Patrick, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Deric Augustine, who, unless you’ve been living under a rock, has been lighting up screens with standout roles in Godfather of Harlem, All American, The Vampire Diaries, Shameless, and more.
In our candid conversation, Deric reflected on how stepping into the shoes of Miles—a former college football player turned cop—was more than just another acting job. For him, it was personal. Sharing roots with his character (both hail from the South and have athletic pasts), Augustine found a deep connection with the role, one that’s now earned him a confirmed spot as a series regular when The Rookie returns for its eighth season.
RELATED: Patrick Keleher Exclusive: The Rookie Secrets, Landing the Role, and What’s Next for Seth Ridley
Not only has he embraced the physicality of the role—doing many of his own stunts—but he’s also navigated an emotional arc that’s won over fans. Though Miles may have ruffled a few feathers early on, he’s since found his footing in the squad and in viewers’ hearts.
We also dove into behind-the-scenes moments, from hilarious TikToks to the bond he shares with co-stars like Patrick Keleher, whom he considers a little brother, to Eric Winter who is nothing like Tim Bradford in real life. And yes, fans, Deric sees the Reddit theories. (No, Miles is not the serial killer. But he knows you thought he might be.)
In a more heartfelt turn, Deric opened up about one of the deepest inspirations behind his craft—his late mother. He shared that she’s the reason both he and his twin brother, Deven, found their way into acting. “She saw something in us before we even saw it in ourselves,” he said. And without a doubt, she’d be proud of how far they’ve come.
RELATED: Exclusive: Brent Huff Talks The Rookie, Modeling, Raccoons, Season 8 & Working With Jake Paul
Naturally, that led us to ask: could we see Deven on The Rookie sometime soon? Deric didn’t rule it out—and honestly, a “Mike and Miles” episode in the spirit of classic Rookie twins Dim and Tim would be an instant fan favorite, hello writers, did you see this?
One thing’s certain: The Rookie just wouldn’t be the same without Officer Miles Penn—and luckily, we don’t have to imagine it.
Deric’s fantasy novel ‘Nawlins’ will be available soon. Check for updates here.
