Blue Bloods Cast: A Guide to the Actors and Characters from Seasons 1 to 13

From Tom Selleck to Donnie Wahlberg, here’s everything to know about the cast of Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods
The 'Blue Bloods' cast dressed up as their characters for season 1 of the CBS show. Photo:

Photo 12 / Alamy

It's time to gather around for dinner in the Reagan household with beloved Blue Bloods characters.

The CBS series, which premiered in 2010, is a police procedural following the Reagan family. Helmed by patriarch Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), New York City’s police commissioner, the entire family are involved with law enforcement.

Frank’s oldest son, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), is an NYPD detective; his younger son, Jamie (Will Estes), is an NYPD sergeant. His daughter, Erin (Bridget Moynahan), is the trial bureau chief of the New York County District Attorney’s office. Frank, his children and his father, retired commissioner Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), work tirelessly to keep N.Y.C. safe.

But in a city as large as the Big Apple, crime families, corrupt cops, drug cartels and more constantly hinder the NYPD and the family’s efforts, often forcing them to ask how far they’ll go to achieve justice. Over 13 seasons, Blue Bloods has aired 275 episodes (and counting), and on February 16, the show returns with season 14, which was green-lit after the entire cast and crew reportedly agreed to a 25% pay cut to enable production.

With the new season's arrival, here’s everything to know about the cast and characters of Blue Bloods.

Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan

Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'.
Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

CBS/Getty

Tom Selleck plays Frank Reagan, the N.Y.C. police commissioner. In addition to his three children involved in law enforcement, Frank had another son, Joe, who died in the line of duty.

Selleck doesn’t just play the patriarch of the series — the actor himself is considered a role model by the rest of the cast. In 2021, his costar, Will Estes, told Looper that Selleck was an exemplary co-worker.

“You come on set, and you know you're working with somebody who's very well studied and very professional and executes time and time again, every scene,” he said. “You need to be on your toes when you work with him, which makes it a lot of fun.”

Before joining Blue Bloods, Selleck was best known for his leading role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. The series ran for eight seasons between 1980 and 1988, and Selleck was awarded a Primetime Emmy in 1984 and a Golden Globe in 1985 for his performance.

Selleck has had major film roles as well, most notably in the hit comedy Three Men and a Baby (1987) and the rom-com In & Out (1997). The latter film was especially notable for portraying a same-sex relationship in a mainstream comedy.

In his personal life, Selleck married his first wife, model Jacqueline Ray, in 1971, after which he formally adopted Kevin Shepard, Ray’s son from a previous relationship. The couple divorced in 1982. Five years later, Selleck married Jillie Mack, an actress he met after seeing her in the musical Cats. 1988, they had their daughter, Hannah Selleck, who is now a professional equestrian.

Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan

Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'.
Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

CBS/Getty

Donnie Wahlberg portrays Danny Reagan, an NYPD detective and Iraq War veteran. Danny is often rigid and hellbent on delivering justice — and isn’t afraid to bend the rules to do so.

Before becoming an actor, Wahlberg was known as a part of the hit ‘80s boy band New Kids on the Block. The group released massive hits like “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and “Hangin’ Tough.” After the crew split in 1995, the band members explored different career paths before reuniting in 2008. NKOTB continue to perform today, including on cruises.

Wahlberg eventually broke into acting and appeared in movies like The Sixth Sense (1999) and the Saw series (2005–2007). From 2014 to 2019, the Wahlberg family — including Donnie and his brothers Mark, Bob and Paul — appeared on their reality show, Wahlburgers, which chronicled them running their burger chain of the same name.

In 2014, Wahlberg tied the knot with actress Jenny McCarthy. He has two children from his previous marriage to Kimberly Fey: sons Xavier and Elijah. McCarthy also has a son named Evan from a past relationship.

In February 2023, Wahlberg helped Evan release his first single, “It Doesn’t Matter,” which Evan wrote for his celebrity crush, Selena Gomez. Elijah helped make the song come to life, turning it into a family affair.

It was a joy to help Evan make his song a reality,” Wahlberg told PEOPLE. “He is such an incredibly sincere young man, who really has the heart of a saint and the spirit of an artist.”

Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan

Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'.
Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty 

Bridget Moynahan plays Erin Reagan, the bureau chief of the Trial Bureau in the District Attorney’s Office. She has a daughter from a marriage that ended before the start of the show. Erin is known for her "by the book" attitude, which sometimes causes conflict within her family.

In 2021, Moynahan told Glamour how thankful she was to be on Blue Bloods. “We know how lucky we are to be on this show — and such a long-running show at that,” she told the publication. “It doesn't come around that often, so when you're working with people who express gratitude, it just fuels the show. Everybody wants to show up and do their best work.”

Moynahan is also known for starring in movies like Coyote Ugly (2000) and Serendipity (2001). She also played Natasha Naginsky on Sex and the City from 1999 to 2000.

She landed the role of Helen Wick in the first John Wick film (2014) and returned for flashback scenes in its 2017 sequel. Most recently, she appeared on And Just Like That…, reprising her role as Natasha from Sex and the City.

From 2004 to 2006, Moynahan dated Tom Brady. Just months after their split, Moynahan announced that she was pregnant and Brady was the father. Their son, Jack Moynahan, was born on Aug. 22, 2007.

Moynahan married business mogul Andrew Frankel in October 2015. Frankel has three sons from a previous marriage; the couple remain very private about their home life.

Will Estes as Jamie Reagan

Will Estes as Jamie Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'.
Will Estes as Jamie Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

CBS/Getty

Will Estes portrays Jamie Reagan, Frank’s youngest child. Jamie is a sergeant in the NYPD and is married to Edit Marie “Eddie” Janko, another police officer and his former patrol partner.

In a 2021 interview with Glitter magazine, Estes said it was a “blessing” to be on a long-running show. “I’m very grateful to have called Blue Bloods home for the past decade,” he said.

Estes has had a notable career in television. Before starring in Blue Bloods, he had leading roles in The New Lassie (1989–1992) and American Dreams (2002–2005). He also played a recurring character in 7th Heaven seasons 4 and 5.

Len Cariou as Henry Reagan

Len Cariou as Henry Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'.
Len Cariou as Henry Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty

Len Cariou plays retired commissioner Henry Reagan, Frank’s father.

These days, he’s best known for Blue Bloods, but Cariou is an accomplished Tony Award-winning theater actor who has been performing on Broadway since the ‘70s. He’s been in productions of hits like Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Funny Girl and Proof, among many others.

On top of his theater credits, Cariou has also starred in hit movies like About Schmidt (2002), 1408 (2007) and Spotlight (2015). In 2009, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for portraying Franklin D. Roosevelt in the HBO film Into the Storm.

Since 1985, Cariou has been married to author and actress Heather Summerhayes, who is best known for writing Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir, which chronicled her sister’s cystic fibrosis. Before marrying Summerhayes, Cariou was in a relationship with actress Glenn Close.

Sami Gayle as Nicky Reagan-Boyle

Sami Gayle as Nicky Reagan-Boyle in 'Blue Bloods'.
Sami Gayle as Nicky Reagan-Boyle in 'Blue Bloods.'.

John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty

Sami Gayle portrays Nicole “Nicky” Reagan-Boyle, Erin’s daughter. Through the series, Nicky graduates high school, attends Columbia University and accepts a job in San Francisco.

Blue Bloods was Gayle’s first major project, having joined the show when she was just 14 years old. She’s also appeared in the films Vampire Academy (2014) and Candy Jar (2018). In 2023, she originated the role of Adele in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Bad Cinderella on Broadway.

Like her Blue Bloods character, Gayle attended Columbia University. In 2018, she spoke to CBS News about growing up on TV. “My whole life has been cataloged. Like, half of it,” Gayle said. “There's been a lot of changes. My hair has changed, my voice has changed. It's been a whirlwind to watch it unfold."

Marisa Ramirez as Maria Baez

Marisa Ramirez as Det. Maria Baez in 'Blue Bloods'.
Marisa Ramirez as Det. Maria Baez in 'Blue Bloods.'.

CBS/Getty

Marisa Ramirez plays Detective Maria Baez, Danny’s patrol partner. In the season 12 finale, Baez adopts a baby girl after the child’s mother is killed.

Prior to joining Blue Bloods in 2013, Ramirez starred in soap operas like Port Charles (2000–2002) and The Young and the Restless (2006–2007). She also appeared in the Starz miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011) and the Chicago police drama Against the Wall (2011).

In 2016, Ramirez gave birth to her daughter Violet Rae. “She’s here!!” the new mom wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) in a since-deleted post. “Little Miss Violet Rae born on Sunday May 29th!! She’s so happy and healthy and we are so in love!!!”

The entire Blue Bloods family celebrated Ramirez’s pregnancy. Her costars Moynahan and Abigail Hawk attended her baby shower, and, according to Ramirez, Wahlberg “did a little happy dance” when he heard the pregnancy news.

Abigail Hawk as Abigail Baker

Abigail Hawk as Abigail Baker in 'Blue Bloods'.
Abigail Hawk as Abigail Baker in 'Blue Bloods.'.

John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty

Abigail Hawk portrays Detective Abigail Baker, Commissioner Reagan’s primary aide. The detective is married to officer Brian Baker, and the couple have two children.

Hawk launched her career in high school when she starred alongside Ryan Seacrest in the 1995 series Reality Check. She’s best known for her role on Blue Bloods, though she has held guest spots on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2006 and 2018) and Body of Proof (2011).

In 2009, she married Bryan Spies, with whom she has two kids. She most recently starred in Daruma (2023) alongside Barry Bostwick. The indie film premiered in June 2023 at the Dances With Films Festival.

Vanessa Ray as Eddie Janko-Reagan

Vanessa Ray as Officer Eddie Janko in 'Blue Bloods'.
Vanessa Ray as Officer Eddie Janko in 'Blue Bloods.'.

John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty

Vanessa Ray plays Officer Edit Marie “Eddie” Janko-Reagan, Jamie Reagan’s wife known for using her heart and wit on the job.

Her TV career spans more than a decade, beginning with As the World Turns in 2009. She had a recurring role on Suits from 2012 to 2013, but she’s probably best remembered for starring as CeCe Drake in Pretty Little Liars (2012–2017). Her role as the blackmailer earned Ray a Teen Choice Award for choice TV villain in 2015.

Ray married actor Landon Beard in 2015, and over the years, she has shown glimpses of her relationship on social media. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ray shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She shared the personal news on Instagram with a clip of her appearance on The Pink Lemonade Stand podcast talking about her mental health.

Amy Carlson as Linda Reagan

Amy Carlson as Linda Reagan in 'Blue Bloods'
Amy Carlson as Linda Reagan in 'Blue Bloods.'.

Jojo Whilden/CBS/Getty

Amy Carlson portrays nurse Linda Reagan, Danny’s wife and the mother of their two sons. Between seasons 7 and 8, Linda dies in a helicopter crash while airlifting a patient to the hospital. Her character was written off the show after Carlson opted not to renew her contract in 2017.

Carlson told Deadline she didn’t know how the character was going to die. “I feel badly that she dies the way she dies,” she said. “I did not know they would do that, I was surprised. I wouldn’t have done that.”

In the interview, Carlson was also asked if she was open to returning to Blue Bloods in a flashback scene. “I never wanted it to end that way, so I feel sad for the fans because everyone wants closure,” she explained. “I hear that a lot from the fans. So of course I’d be open to that.”

Before her time on the show, she appeared in the soap opera Another World from 1993 to 1998 and had a starring role in the primetime series Third Watch from 2000 to 2003. Since leaving Blue Bloods, Carlson has had recurring roles on The Society (2019) and FBI: Most Wanted (2020–2021).

Since 2004, Carlson has been in a relationship with Syd Butler, the bassist of The 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Together they have two children.

Robert Clohessy as Sidney Gormley

Robert Clohessy as Lt. Gormley in 'Blue Bloods'.
Robert Clohessy as Lt. Gormley in 'Blue Bloods.'.

CBS/Getty

Robert Clohessy plays Lt. Sidney “Sid” Gormley, who was previously a special assistant to Commissioner Reagan.

Like many of his costars, Clohessy has a long television career, starring in series like Hill Street Blues (1986–1987), Oz (1999–2003) and Boardwalk Empire (2010–2011). He’s also appeared in the films The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and Last Call (2021).

In an interview with Main Street Magazine, Clohessy said he was only scheduled to appear in one episode of Blue Bloods, but he became a recurring character instead. “I was originally cast for one show to be Danny’s boss in the precinct,” he said. “We got along really well on set and, before long, I was part of the regular cast.”

Since 1987, he’s been married to actress Catherine Erhardt. They have two children, actors Byron and Myles Clohessy.

Robert and Myles worked together on The Redeemer, which premiered in October 2022 at the Soho International Film Festival. Written and directed by Myles, the movie stars Robert, Brandon Routh and Yellowstone’s Mo Brings Plenty. The film centers on a family fighting for survival after being kidnapped by a gang of outlaws. Robert most recently appeared in Myles’ horror movie Fire Island (2023).

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