Blue Bloods has featured many compelling characters over its fourteen-year history. The Tom Selleck-led police and family drama has a large cast, with eleven characters who appear regularly and more recurring characters. The Reagan family itself consists of three generations of people who appear at the iconic Blue Bloods family dinner every week. At least three or four of those characters have significant storylines in any given episode. Additionally, most of the characters have people they work with regularly, such as Erin’s lead investigator or Frank’s Dream Team.
While many long-running dramas experience cast turnover, Blue Bloods’ cast has remained remarkably stable. By season 4, Jamie and Danny had gotten new partners. Meanwhile, Amy Carlson chose not to continue playing Linda after season 7, but most of the main cast has been with the series since its first episode. Blue Bloods has only has a few episodes left, but all of the main cast members are expected to appear. As it nears the end, it’s time to look back on the show and determine who Blue Blood’s all-time best characters are.
Bugs
Derek Gaines
Danny has worked with a lot of civilians over the years, but Bugs is one of the most endearing. This minor character is a confidential informant of Danny’s who often works as a street vendor. Many of his scenes are more lighthearted, with him not understanding certain things or how criminal enterprises work. However, he was elevated above the typical minor character role when his brother died during a case that Bugs was helping Danny with.
Bugs’ confrontation with Danny was an extremely emotional scene that added depth to his character.
Bugs was hurt and angry about his brother’s death. He blamed Danny for it, claiming that the Raegan detective was just using him and his brother with no regard for their safety or lives. Bugs’ confrontation with Danny was an extremely emotional scene that added depth to his character. Scenes like this one make it easy to understand why he is a fan favorite despite how much of a thorn he tends to be on Danny’s side.
Erin Reagan
Bridget Moynahan
Frank’s only daughter is a tough-as-nails ADA who often butts heads with her father. As the only girl in a house full of boys, she has to learn to advocate for herself early and has no problem standing up to anybody. She clashes with Frank regularly over policy issues and is not afraid to tell her brothers where they can stick to their requests for special treatment. Danny especially needs to hear this a lot, as he is constantly on Erin’s case about prosecuting his suspects or not letting them out on bail.
Although Erin can come off as judgmental or stubborn, her heart is always in the right place. Justice is important to her, and she takes it hard if she learns she mistakenly prosecuted an innocent person or a defendant was treated unfairly in a case that she was in charge of. Erin’s dedication to her values is similar to Frank’s, which is why they fight so much. The two of them are equally stubborn and convinced they’re right about everything, which leads them into constant conflict with each other.
Anthony Abetemarco
Steve Schrippa
It’s hard not to like Anthony in Blue Bloods. Erin’s lead investigator is a proud Brooklynite who calls it like he sees it and is willing to do whatever it takes to get a case closed. Anthony and Erin have such a strong working relationship that they seem more like a married couple. At times his reactions, especially when Jack is in the picture, suggest that his feelings for Erin run deeper than he admits.
Anthony’s loyalty and willingness to stand up to Erin earns him an honorary spot on the Reagan family tree regardless of whether she ever returns his feelings. However, he dislikes how tight Blue Bloods’ lead family is because they can come off as self-aggrandizing. Anthony’s most entertaining episodes are ones where he’s forced to work with Danny, however. The two of them can’t stand each other and waste a lot of time bickering and throwing insults, but ultimately get the job done.
Danny Reagan
Donnie Wahlberg
Danny has been the heart of Blue Bloods for fourteen years. He’s a homicide detective who often gives Frank headaches because his impulsive, hotheaded behavior breaks police protocol. That said, he also closes more cases than anyone else and, more importantly, is a beloved member of the family. One of the most touching Blue Bloods moments was when the family helped set up Danny’s new house after Linda died. demonstrating their commitment to him during one of the most difficult times of his life.
Danny has been a widower for six years, and much speculation revolves around whether he will find new love before the end of the series. He initially wasn’t interested, highlighting his loyalty to Linda and his grief over her death. Recently, however, he has realized that he has been holding himself back because he is afraid of losing someone else he loves again. Because of this, he may admit to feelings for his partner, Maria Baez, before the series ends.
Not only is Danny one of the characters most associated with Blue Bloods, but actor Danny Wahlberg is extremely passionate about the show he loves. Wahlberg has been one of the most vocal voices in favor of the series continuing, even joining a fan-led movement to save Blue Bloods and recently suggesting that the Reagan family’s story is not over despite the series’ cancelation.
Linda Reagan
Amy Carlson
Linda’s off-screen death at the beginning of Blue Bloods season 8 rocked Danny’s world and demonstrated why she was such an important and beloved character. She balanced Danny perfectly, often calming him down when he was lashing out impulsively. She was a steady influence who made sure their boys were brought up correctly. She also had a ton of courage and didn’t let violence or threats deter her from having a happy life with Danny and her kids.
Outside of being a wife and mother in Blue Bloods, Linda was an ER nurse who was dedicated to patient care and refused to let anything get in the way of that. She died in a helicopter crash while working for the hospital, which was the only kind of death that would have been acceptable to her. Linda frequently had to stand up to unruly patients or deal with crime on the job. On various occasions, she was shot or mugged while at the hospital, but kept going back to work anyway, even though Danny thought it was too dangerous.