Interview by Roman Portnoy
Photography by Ryan West
Grooming by Paul Anthony Garcia
Eric Winter has built a career on range, longevity, and quiet consistency. From early breakout roles in film and television to his current turn as fan-favorite Tim Bradford on The Rookie, Winter has proven himself as an actor who evolves with the industry rather than chasing it. Off-screen, he’s a devoted husband and father, a producer, and a growing entrepreneur with the recent launch of his premium rum brand, Palm Republic. In this conversation with Session, Winter opens up about balancing family and fame, staying grounded in a high-pressure business, and what’s next in a career that shows no signs of slowing down.
The Rookie has remained strong season after season. What do you think has allowed the show—and your character—to continue connecting with audiences?
The growth and support year after year has been incredible. It speaks to our universal storytelling and character development that really resonates with such a broad demographic. We aren’t just a procedural with cases of the week. People watch because they want to know how each one of us will respond to the situation at hand. How things genuinely affect our characters at work and at home. I also know for a fact that a huge part of our growth, especially with young people, has to do with our Tik Tok clips. Not to mention our cast posting. We are a fun group and when people stumble across our posts it gets them wanting to learn more about the show.
What aspects of your character Tim Bradford do you relate to most now compared to when the show first began?
I think I relate most to Tim’s loyalty with his friends and his family. He cares so much but is also firm and wants to teach real lessons. Im very much like that in real life. I can also relate to his sarcasm. I think when we started, I definitely couldn’t relate to his teaching style or attitude. Very hard and unforgiving.
After eight seasons, how do you keep the character feeling fresh and challenging for yourself?
Thankfully I do not have to work too hard at that because we have such great writers. Each season they take me on a journey with Tim that keeps me guessing and figuring out how to navigate what’s put in front of him. That’s what’s made it so much fun each year.
When you first started this role, did you have to go through specific firearms training, or did you already have experience that translated on screen? What surprised you most about that process?
Ya we’ve gone through a lot of LAPD tracing and firearms. Not just how to properly handle weapons but how to handle real life scenarios like a cop would. How to clear a room and even approach a police related incident. I’ve also done a bunch of ride alongs. I think what surprised me the most is truly how difficult the job is when put in extreme situations. We were able to do that with a VR course at the academy and it was fascinating.
Are there any cast traditions or behind-the-scenes moments fans would be surprised to hear about?
We don’t have any cast traditions but behind the scenes we are all a bunch of clowns. We laugh a lot, tease each other a lot, and I love pranks
Has your approach to acting changed as your career has matured?
It has definitely changed as my experience has grown. So much with acting is evolving and learning. It’s the part I enjoy the most. I learn things by watching other actors all of the time. I’ve also learned a lot regarding how to deal with the highs and lows of this business.
What advice would you give to actors hoping to land a recurring role on a major network series?
Never give up. I did at one point in my career and i very much wish I hadn’t. I don’t regret it because I learned a lot and I’m where I’m supposed to be, but you need patience, hard work and timing.
What have you learned about yourself through acting that you didn’t expect?
I have definitely learned resilience and to trust in the process. I’ve also learned how to be more creative in business overall. How to evolve as an actor and business man within this industry.
What’s something about you that would surprise people?
I’m a person that loves to joke around and I don’t take myself too seriously.
You’re married to actress Roselyn Sanchez, and would both understand the irregular hours, emotional prep, and constant uncertainty of acting. What boundaries or rituals have actually worked for you two in maintaining balance—especially during overlapping projects?
We have a lot of trust and support for each other. We always put our kids and family first when looking at projects as well. We also don’t get competitive with each other. My wins are her wins and vice versa. I see so many couples in this industry compete with each other and it’s a disaster.
You recently launched a premium Rum. Tell us, how does building a brand like Palm Republic satisfy a different creative muscle than acting—and has it changed how you think about ownership versus opportunity in Hollywood?
I launched Palm Republic rum about a year and a half ago and it’s been such an incredible experience personally and professionally. Seeing something you’re passionate about come to life that you helped build from the ground up is extremely rewarding. Building a company while also being in the industry has sparked a lot of untapped creativity that not only translates in business but also within my career. The way I approach projects and the way we develop projects at our production company. In our industry, ownership is everything. You don’t have a lot of strength in just being a work for hire. I’m so excited for all that we have in store for Palm Republic in 2026!
A lot of celebrity spirits feel like licensing deals. Palm Republic doesn’t come off that way. What was the personal itch you were trying to scratch when you decided to build this brand?
Ya, a lot of the celebrity spirits are structured like that. For me rum was something I became passionate about almost 20 years ago when I met my now father in law for the first time in Puerto Rico. I was never a rum drinker and I loved the way this one interaction with him changed my perspective about rum while also bringing us together. When I thought about rum it always brought me back to a great place where I shared a new experience with family and friends. So for me I wanted to bring that experience to the front. I wanted people to enjoy something new and change their mind the way it happened to me. That’s why I chose to bring a premium rum to the market that was different, not just with the liquid, but also with the message.
Finally, is there anything you’re thinking about lately that we didn’t cover but feels worth sharing?
I think we covered it all.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
