Amy Carlson Speaks Out About ‘Blue Bloods’ Departure
When CBS’s Blue Bloods returned for Season 8 in September, fans were shocked to learn Linda Reagan (Amy Carlson) was killed in a helicopter crash off-camera.
Why did Carlson, who played Danny’s (Donnie Wahlberg) wife on the hit series for seven seasons, decide to leave the show without giving fans one final goodbye? Executive producer Kevin Wade told TV Guide Magazine last month, “Amy decided to move on.”
But in a new interview with Deadline, Carlson reveals she disagrees with how Blue Bloods writers decided to handle her character’s exit. “I feel badly that she dies the way she dies. I did not know they would do that, I was surprised. I wouldn’t have done that.”
The actress also admits she would be up to returning to the series to give fans closure. “I never wanted it to end that way, so I feel sad for the fans because everyone wants closure, and I hear that a lot from the fans. So of course I’d be open to that. Sure.”
Carlson reveals she is still close with former costar Wahlberg, with whom she speaks and texts regularly. “What I miss most is working with Donnie, and Donnie has been a dream since I left,” Carlson says. “He said something really sweet about me on the Andy Cohen Live show the other day, and even the very first night that the series aired this season, he said something about his tears were for missing me and for loss of working with me as an acting partner. He’s just been so generous and sweet.”
Also on Carlson’s mind? Her Blue Bloods fans.
“I hear them, and I appreciate them so much, and I’m so grateful that they love this character that I created. I’m honored to have had the chance to portray her for as long as I did,” Carlson gushes.
Blue Bloods, Fridays, 10/9c, CBS
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P
I like her, but I don't think she's being reasonable here. She chose to leave, so the writers had to work a credible reason for why she was no longer there. Would it have been either realistic or good to her character to have had her abandon the family? Had they put her in a coma, it likely would've been necessary to occasionally show her in a hospital/convalescent setting. No, I don't think her choice to leave left the show many options except to write in her death. I guess I'm surprised she has complaints about this.
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R
I agree. What else could the writers do but have her die "a few months ago," that is, between seasons?? Rock, meet Hard Place.
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P
I agree too. If she wanted a better way she should have let them know in time to do something different.
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R
I quit watching after the episode where they revealed she died. It won't be the same 🙁
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R
Why quit watching? Yeah, her departure was clumsy, but it's not like she was a primary character. She was usually in one scene per week for about five minutes each time.
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C
Actually starting in season 5 Amy Carlson chacter Linda Reagan was in fact a main character but like you pointed out.She wasn't getting much screen time and very few storylines so that might be a good reason for her to leave.
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G
I personally didn't care for her, at this point in the show she was just a nag.
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G
Exactly! She was in one scene per episode, if that. She was not in every episode. I don't understand what is the big deal.
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O
I agree. Did they give her good storylines after a while? No. Did she have a good reason to leave, even if the timing wasn't quite right? Yes. Would they have done something similar to a male character? Probably not. Notice the # of males versus females at the Reagan Sunday dinner table each week. Hollywood is tough for female actors.
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R
I thought she was a good actress, but she rarely had an interesting story line. I actually think the show has been better since she left, because it has forced Danny to be more vulnerable.I think her complaints are silly, she chose to leave.
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If she wanted a better ending, she should have told them sooner so they could write it in in the finale. No sympathy from me and a total disregard of her fans.