The Real Reason Linda Reagan [Amy Carlson] Left "Blue Bloods" After 7 Seasons [by Walter Carey]

Editor's note: Walter Carey writes: "David Huntley, my source for this story, is the pseudonym of an executive at CBS who asked that he or she not be named.  -- WC." For an update ("Did She Jump or Was She Pushed?) click here. And here for the latest on Erin's love life.

For seven seasons, Linda Reagan as portrayed by the actress Amy Carlson was a stalwart figure in the hit series Blue Bloods. She plays the wife of hot-headed Danny Reagan, mother to their two boys, daughter in law of police commish Frank Reagan, sister in-law of Erin, brother-in-law of Jamie, aunt of the Columbia undergrad who used to go to Catholic school, granddaughter-in-law of grandpa, and a normal human being, who works as a nurse, lives in Staten Island, demands to be respected by her husband, and concludes phone conversations with him with this exchange:

"Love you."

"Love you more."

"Love you most."

Several theories have been making the rounds regarding Linda's sudden departure from the program. In episode one of season eight it is explained that she died in a helicopter crash transporting a patient. To those who believe that this is what happened to Amy Carlson, my source is happy to report that she is very much alive. There is also no truth to the rumor that she got sick -- "totally" -- with husband Danny always going off the rails and blowing his stack. That was actually something that endeared him to her, Linda admitted tearfully after one of their quarrels., according to Megin Draper, a close friend. 

It was really very simple, the actress confided, nursing a glass of Jameson's on the rocks as she negotiated her farewell package. It was "time to move on."

The network executive who bears a resemblance to Ned Beatty gave her a skeptical look.

"It really is time to move on," repeated the Knox College-alumna, who graduated cum laude, made her TV debut as Josie Watts on Another World in 1993, and currently resides in Chinatown with her kids and her partner. But she winked and touched her nose like Robert de Niro in Good Fellas so her interlocutor knew there had to be more to it. The pro bono work she has done on Frenchkiss Records has never interfered with her work on Blue Bloods, and while her significant other plays bass guitar for the Seth Meyers show on another network, that has never raised any red flags let alone hackles in legal.

"Does the real reason have to do with Frank Reagan's political ambitions?" she was asked. "Warmer," she said. "But if you print it, Danny will kill you." Therefore my source has adopted a pseudonym and will employ the subjunctive to describe what the smart money is saying, which is this:

Frank Reagan, as played by Tom Selleck, has the distinction of wearing nearly the same tie on every episode of Blue Bloods. Each is a rep (or regimental) tie featuring a red field with diagonal stripes usually containing white, blue, or a combination of the two. I happen to own two such ties myself, purchased at Brooks Brothers, and from a study commissioned by the triumvirate of Rogers Peet, Hart Schaffner and Carlo Marx it has been ascertained that for a municipal leader, this is the tie of choice, inspiring trust and confidence in the populace.

The consistent use of ties of this order has long led Reaganites to suspect that Frank has political ambitions. The speculation, fueled by dissatisfaction with the de Blasio regime in New York coupled with the gag-me-with-a-spoon shenanigans in DC, has resulted in a "draft Frank" movement. Linda Reagan is said to have taken a position on the net-yet-official campaign. One of her pet ideas: a series of TV commercials featuring endorsements of Reagan by various Franks -- such as Frank Sinatra, Frank O'Hara, Frank Hogan, Frank Costello, Frankie Machine, Frank Malzone, Fenway Franks. Frank Bullitt in his 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback, Francis Ford Coppola, Pope Francis, St. Francis of Assisi, Benjamin Franklin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Francine York, and Connie Francis. 

But this is all speculation, and the rocky relationship between the police chief and the mayor is nothing new. Still, the fact that Frank Reagan polls higher than the mayor in all five boroughs, with an almost unheard of 90% favorable rating in Staten Island, may affect Frank's decision, and if Linda Reagan has anything to say about it, it's a go. -- WC

Comments

[Albert A. Martinez]

We really miss her on Blue Bloods. She was the perfect actress for that part. No one told us what happened and we really miss her on the show. The dinner table is not the same without her.

[The Best American Poetry]

Thank you for your comment. Walter Carey, who watches the show religiously, tells us that she supposedly died in a helicopter crash when she was accompanying a wounded patient to a hospital.

[Kay Hudnall]

The show is empty now. Can't understand why this would happen, CBS. Should have done something about this and put a stop to her leaving. Still watch the show but it is so sad and difficult to know that she won't be back. I hope that if they have Danny to meet someone new she will be as pretty as Linda. But I think that is going to be impossible.

[Sandra Hamberger]

Linda was a perfect wife for Danny, kept him stable. That empty dinner chair is as empty as the show without her. Why doesn't anyone at the table speak abut her? The boys are really not grieving their beloved mother. I still love the show but I am waiting for some more realism about her death. Will Danny meet another woman or even date?

[Paul Kessledr]

I never enjoyed Amy Carlson on the show. I will not explain further because there is no point to doing that.
what i like was the introduction of Miss Baker as a main character. She would do well at the family table each week

Paul Kessler

[G. A. Fontenot]

My husband and I really do miss her on the show. She was the missing link to Joe and Mary. Hopefully, her body was misidentified in the purported helicopter crash. There is no noticeable grieving spouse,children or any family Reagan members. Family dinners are blah since her departure.

[Carole Richard]

Yes, miss Linda on Blue Bloods. Such a great show and she was part of the team making it great- way too abrupt a departure-
Carole R.

[Susan Burrows]

This is a show about family. Very hard to watch now - I am reminded that they are just actors and this is just business. It was my one hour of fantasy a week. Heavy sigh. Poorly handled.

[Miss Marple]

Did she leave due to personal issues with Selleck? Open marriages, affairs, all go on behind the scenes everyday with the Hollywood crowd. It was all too abrupt. How she felt about Mr. S was very apparent on film. Body language never lies. But we shall never know...... until a tell all book gets published.

[Susheel Bibbs]

Linda should be restored to Bluebloods. As a producer I suggest the following: have her thrown from the helicopter and rescued with amnesia. Discover that the body thought to be Linda's was not Linda at all. This is an easy fix. She was the important link in Danny's humanity and in the family past and present. She was the common man in the group. She is needed for the balance in the show.

[Fran]

I don’t care how you do it bring Linda back.i do not want to see Danny with his partner.

[Grumpy]

It's a TV show people. Get a life. BLUE BLOODS will go on, as happens in real life. Carlson decided to leave for reasons unsaid.

[Kathy Stamm]

I doubt if we viewers will ever know the true reason she is off the show.

[Linda]

They should bring her back. Why is no one sad? I am. Bring her back.

[Veronica Mullen]

It looks as if there is no loyalty from the makers of this show.first they get rid of "Danny's" partner now his wife. Jennifer Espidito is coeliac and should have had more support

[bl]

it's all about money especially when they say it isn't. they didn't want to pay and she's not a Reagan technically

[Terry Smith]

My sister-in-law and I are die hard Blue Bloods fans. It has lost it's lustre. Please bring Linda back. Mistaken for indenty, she's really alive. Will patch up that huge hole that is ever gaping larger!!

[S Dillon]

BRING LINDA back!!!

[M A Walters]

Bring Linda Back! nuff said...

[Gerry McGraw]

So now that Linda is gone, none at the table have a live husband or wife. What a poor choice for the show writers to make. Butt to brring her back could result in a terrific series of episodes. I'll start watching again then. Gerry MGerry M

[Paul Feener]

Did you see the final episode of season 8 ? New Female at the dinner table ! I like it !

[Maraee]

What season and episode is it when Linda died ?

[The Best American Poetry]

According to Walter Carey, who monitors the show, Linda died last summer between the spring 2017 and fall 2017 seasons. It was in a helicopter crash while she was on duty transporting an injured person to the hospital. Danny is still broken up about it, but gains some small measure of reassurance when he is reminded that she died just the way he would prefer to go -- while on duty. -- Chas McGill, TV News Editor.

[[email protected]]

I agree. I truely miss Her,Linda, on the show. Blue Bloods is blah now. Linda kept Danny in line. loved her. Please bring her back to keep the show going, don't believe a new partner for Danny would close the hole.

[Donley Pelfrey]

Her decision. Period. I miss her presence too.