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

[DoctorRose]

You don't watch the show. Erin's husband is alive. He lives somewhere else in the city. He's a lawyer. Jack Boyle.

[DoctorRose]

What will Baker's husband say if his wife, mother of his two kids had dinner every week with the Reagan's? Hmmm. You don't watch the show.

[Kathy Simmons]

First I never really cared for Linda’s character on the show so I don’t miss her at all. Then I I’m very happy Jamie and Eddie are engaged and can’t wait for more family dinner table talk and I would love it if Frank and Elizabeth (from London) would come back and they could start dating... I think everyone should have some kind of relationship because that makes good along with real heavy police and court room drama... my husband and I have been watching this since season 1 and never miss an episode because I record the series and we rewatch some episodes over and over and over... also most exciting and edge of your seat action and drama is when a close family or friend is hurt and the whole Reagan family rally to catch the person or persons responsible!!! Please keep up the great writing, acting, directing and and let us all feel captivated for that 1 hour like we were in the show!!!!

[b]

Linda is dead. You don’t bring the dead back to life. Deal with it.

[Laura]

Bring Jackie & Linda Back ! Great show not as violent as many!

[Lisa]

He said none alive AT THE TABLE

[Andrea S.]

Might have bought some time by sending Linda on a religious medical mission to Haiti or Puerto Rico or someplace remote, and taken some time to work something out... or not.

[Billio]

I guess you'e not a fan of soap operas, people are always coming back from the dead !

[Jackie]

Agreed! Bring Linda back, you guys really mis handled this, y’all mad at her?! She was an important character, and no one is grieving, COME ON now you are making all the male characters appear to be heartless robots, very disappointed in whoever came up with this plot twist, it’s just plain stupid and not based in reality...this is not how GRIEF WORKS for spouses, children and your fans.....

[Sherrin]

Thanks for your comment Jackie ...we had a blackout of CBS for about 6 months($ arguments between Optimum and whoever)and I thought I had just missed the ridiculous episodes not dealing with her death ...The question and her absence has troubled me since I finally started to watch the show again...Was months before I felt at home with the entire cast and show...just gave it up till recently. Very disappointed though in the producers, etc. to let this go ...it just isn't palatable. It is especially disappointing as a show because I feel the loss of another great show CODE BLACK with Marcia Gay Harden and cast ...so much trash is on and then they pull Code Black! I have turned to streaming and I have to say it's mostly shows from the British Isles. They know how to write and produce to an intelligent audience ...sad to say we are treated as morons by the Prime Time show producers!!!

[Tricia]

Linda was family she wore the Reagan name and she was part of the family busy too. Although she was never included in it they just didn’t see it. St Victors is where the injured went to whether it was family, victims or criminals. She also helped the NYPD with Information if need, I recall several times Danny going to her for help and Jamie too.

The cast might play these individual characters but we the fans Iive with them 1hr each week and we remember just as much as Frank-PC

[MARTE WARREN]

PLEASE BRING LINDA BACK. WE NEED MORE "WHOLE" FAMILIES...AND MORE STRONG ACTRESSES.. TO REMOVE A CRUCIAL PERSON AND ROLE MODEL TO MANY WOMEN WHO ARE MOTHERS, CAREER WOMEN, AND MARRIED TO WORKING MEN, LINDA WAS RESPECTED AS AN ARTIST AND "GOOD ROLE MODEL" IN HER PARTNERSHIP. PLEASE RESTORE HER TO BALANCE OUT THE REAGAN FAMILY. ALSO, EACH WEEK'S EPISODE SHOULD INCLUDE STRONG WOMEN SUPPORTING STRONG MEN. WHEN WILL THE MARRIAGE OF EDDIE AND JAMIE TAKE PLACE, WHICH DATE IS THIS EPISODE COMING.' PLEASE ADVERTISE THE DATE FOR ALL OF US TO LOOK FORWARD DURING THIS PANDEMIC WHICH IS DEPRESSING MANY, ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK AND THE EAST COAST. FUTURE EPISODES COULD INCLUDE THE STRUGGLES OF TODAY'S PANDEMIC, PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS TYPE OF SCRIPT. ALSO, INCLUDE MORE HEROES OF ALL DAILY CRISES THAT HAS AFFECTED NEW YORK AND THE REST OF USA,. BESIDES 9/11 AND ITS AFTER EFFECTS. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING THIS GREAT SERIES AND ALL OF ITS CHARACTERS. KUDOS AGAIN FOR GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AND BRING ON MORE GREAT CHARACTERS.

A VIEWER FROM PA WHO HAS SPENT MANY DAYS AND HOURS IN NEW YORK DUE TO WORK AND ALSO NOW MEDICAL REASONS, I FEEL THAT I AM A RESIDENT OF MANY STATES BESIDES PA. I APPRECIATE THIS SHOW WHICH IS REPRESENTATIVE OF A GOOD FAMILY WHICH ALL VIEWERS CAN APPRECIATE
AND WE NEED MORE TV SHOWS WHICH VIEWERS CAN ENJOY AND COME AWAY WITH APPRECIATION AND A POSITIVE FEELING OF GOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

[Donna DiCroce]

Please, please, please bring Linda back to Blue Bloods. She is definitely missed. I feel she was a very important part of the show. She had great chemistry with Danny. It worked! Offer her more money and get her back!