Blue Bloods, the popular police drama series that follows the lives of the Reagan family, has been on the air for 12 seasons and counting. The show has a loyal fan base that loves watching the weekly cases, the family dinners, and the personal struggles of the characters. However, some fans may be wondering if their favorite cast members will be returning for season 13, which is set to premiere on October 7, 2022. Here is everything we know about who is leaving Blue Bloods in 2022 and why.
Sami Gayle as Nicky Reagan-Boyle
One of the most noticeable absences in season 12 was Sami Gayle, who plays Erin’s daughter and Frank’s granddaughter, Nicky Reagan-Boyle. Nicky, who had been a regular on the show since season 1, moved to San Francisco in season 10 to pursue a career in social work. She only appeared in two episodes of season 12 via video calls, and it seems that she will not be back for season 13 either.
According to Parade, Gayle decided to leave the show to focus on her education and other projects. She graduated from Columbia University in 2018 with a degree in political science and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at Oxford University. She also starred in a Netflix movie called Candy Jar in 2018 and has several other films in the works.
Gayle’s departure was not a surprise for the showrunners, who had planned for her character’s exit since season 10. Executive producer Kevin Wade told TV Insider that they wanted to give Nicky a realistic storyline that reflected Gayle’s own ambitions. He also said that they left the door open for her to return as a guest star in the future.
Will Hochman as Joe Hill
Another cast member who may not be seen much in season 13 is Will Hochman, who plays Joe Hill, the son of Frank’s late son Joe Reagan and Paula Hill (Bonnie Somerville). Joe Hill was introduced in season 10 as a rookie detective who did not know he was part of the Reagan clan until a DNA test revealed his true identity. He quickly bonded with his newfound relatives and joined them for family dinners.
However, in season 12, Joe Hill decided to go undercover for a long-term assignment that put him in danger and away from his family. He only appeared in three episodes of season 12, including the finale, where he helped Danny and Baez with a case and showed up for dinner.
According to Wade, Hochman is not a series regular and will only appear occasionally in season 13. He told TV Insider that Joe Hill’s undercover status gives them flexibility to use him when they need him. He also said that they wanted to explore Joe Hill’s relationship with his mother, who is still alive but estranged from him.
Jennifer Esposito as Jackie Curatola
One cast member who is definitely leaving Blue Bloods in 2022 is Jennifer Esposito, who played Jackie Curatola, Danny’s former partner and love interest. Esposito was a series regular from season 1 to season 4, but left the show due to health issues. She returned as a guest star in season 11 and season 12, where she became the chief of police and helped Danny with some cases.
However, in the season 12 finale, Jackie announced that she was retiring from the NYPD and moving to Florida with her fiancé. She also revealed that she was pregnant with his child. She said goodbye to Danny and thanked him for being her partner and friend.
Esposito’s exit was not a shock for fans, who had speculated that she was leaving the show after she posted a farewell message on Instagram3. She wrote that she was grateful for her time on Blue Bloods and praised her co-stars and crew. She also hinted that she had other projects lined up, including a book and a podcast.
Conclusion
Blue Bloods is known for its stable cast and consistent quality, but it also has to deal with some changes and challenges along the way. While some cast members may be leaving or reducing their roles in season 13, there are still plenty of familiar faces and stories to look forward to. Fans can catch up with the Reagans when Blue Bloods returns on October 7 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7JfrLWwecisZKWdkau2r7OMm6OunV2XubC7w6xkoqZdZ31zfoytn55lo528pLfIp55mrKKqwal5wZ6foqaUYsGpsYycmKysXZi1orrGnqpo