One of the longest running shows on CBS, Blue Bloods follows the finest of New York’s finest: the Reagan family. The expansive family is effectively the NYPD’s first family, with the pursuit of justice coursing through their blood. The long-running CBS crime drama is now in its 14th and final season, with the remaining episodes set to debut on October 18. With the series finale coming this December, now is a great time to look back at the Reagan family tree and explore the past, present, and new members of the Reagan family.
Whether a longtime fan or new viewer, there are plenty of reasons to be obsessed with the series, with its exceptional writing and intriguing storylines. But even amid all the crime drama in the States’ most bustling city, Blue Bloods, at its core, is a story about family. The Reagan family isn’t just connected through their similar professions but through their united camaraderie and loyalty to one another. The family has only grown larger over the years, making their weekly Sunday dinners a certifiable who’s-who of NYPD legends. Don’t fret about remembering everyone’s name and face, though, because here is a handy go-to guide for the Blue Bloods family tree from Season 1 to the present.
Who Does Tom Selleck Play in ‘Blue Bloods’?
The leading man of the series, Tom Selleck, plays Frank Reagan, the current New York City Police Commissioner and the backbone of his family. Frank leads both the NYC law enforcement and his own family with equal parts wisdom and care. A strong leader whom many look up to, Frank often deals with moral and ethical dilemmas in his profession, while also juggling similar family issues back at home. Though he isn’t always correct in his judgments, he handles delicate situations with grace and an earnestness to improve. A no-nonsense, natural leader in the field and a stalwart father figure back at home, Frank sets a high and aspirational standard for his community. Frank and his wife Mary had four children before she passed away, succumbing to cancer and leaving Frank a widower. But even in her absence, Frank remains a dedicated father, even hosting weekly Sunday dinners that his family regularly attends.
But all of Frank’s strong parenting skills came from his own upbringing, as his father, Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), remains a positive source of wisdom and comfort for the extended family. Before retirement, Henry was a New York City Police Commissioner, beginning the legacy of law enforcement in his family with his late wife, Betty Reagan. Henry and Betty had two children, and Peter, though Peter’s existence isn’t immediately mentioned in the series. Peter passed away due to leukemia when he was only several months old, leaving Frank as Henry and Betty’s only surviving son.
Frank’s Children All Pursued Criminal Justice In ‘Blue Bloods’
Frank and Mary Reagan’s four children all followed their family’s legacy and became involved in the criminal justice system, utilizing their different skill sets to serve justice in their profession. The eldest of Frank’s children, Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) served in Iraq as a US Marine before joining the NYPD to become one of their best detectives. His impulsive nature and short temper often cause him to cross the line in some of his cases, so he is prone to getting in trouble. Nonetheless, he is a skilled detective and a good father. Danny’s wife Linda (Amy Carlson) was an emergency room nurse dedicated to her job — and she often worried over Danny’s obsession with his own job. Danny and Linda had two sons, Jack (Tony Terraciano) and Sean (Andrew Terraciano), before Linda’s untimely death in a helicopter crash off-screen between Seasons 7 and 8.
Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) is the only daughter, and the second eldest, among Frank and Mary’s children. Unlike the rest of her siblings, she chose not to pursue a career in the police force, pursuing a career in law instead. Erin became a New York County Assistant District Attorney, continuing her family’s legacy in the criminal justice system, but forging her own path separate from the NYPD. She married defense attorney Jack Boyle (Peter Hermann) and gave birth to their daughter, Nicky Reagan-Boyle (Sami Gayle), though their marriage eventually ended. She raised Nicky as a single mother and career-focused woman, juggling both commitments with admirable support from her entire family.
Frank’s second son, Joe Reagan, is the only one of his children who doesn’t regularly appear in the series. Joe joined the police force like his older brother, becoming part of the NYPD Warrants Squad, but was tragically betrayed by his partner and killed in action. After learning of his partner’s involvement with a group of crooked cops called The Blue Templar, Joe was killed before the start of the series, with his death leaving a haunting memory for the rest of the Reagan family. Joe was only 31 years old when he was killed, and his absence left deep wounds in the family, who all grieved him deeply. Though Joe isn’t actively present with his family, his legacy and memory live on with the Reagans.
Jamie Reagan (Will Estes), the youngest of his siblings and a Harvard graduate, remained a patrol officer for the first several seasons of Blue Bloods. In the beginning stages of his career, he grew from being a young rookie officer to a bright and clever beat cop, though he always acted with a level of understanding and experience that exceeded his rank, due to his training and the knowledge he gained from the older members of his family. As the youngest of his siblings, Jamie often has to deal with expectations levied upon him based on the success of his family, but maintains his easy-going and relaxed disposition, even as he works tirelessly to live up to his family name. In Season 9, Jamie was promoted to Sergeant and married his former partner Eddie Janko (Vanessa Ray), a passionate and ambitious police officer who has become an integral part of the Reagan family. Eddie and Jamie worked together as partners for years, developing romantic feelings for one another that they weren’t able to act on due to their professional partnership. Equally as lively as Jamie, the two form a complementary match that pushes each other to be their best.
Who Are the ‘Blue Bloods’ Family Grandchildren?
The family legacy lives on in the third generation of Reagans, though less time is typically given to the grandchildren in the first few seasons due to their young ages. Regardless, the Reagan grandchildren are an irreplaceable presence, regular attendees of Sunday dinner, and a heartwarming measure of the family’s growth over the years. Danny and Linda’s two sons, Jack and Sean, play smaller parts in the series, and in recent seasons have started attending college to begin their own careers. While Sean often still appears for family dinners, Jack attends a college out of state and isn’t seen as often anymore.
Erin’s daughter Nicky has arguably the largest role compared to the rest of the grandchildren. She is curious and outspoken and is often unafraid to challenge the views of her older family members, even daring to challenge them in debates over dinner. As one of the most constant and prevalent grandchildren, Nicky’s growth is one of the most dynamic parts of the series; the show sees her grow from being a young teenager, to a college student, and later, an independent adult. Nicky remains loyal and devoted to the Reagan ethos, attending Columbia University after her mother and endeavoring to work in law enforcement as well. But though she was adamant about becoming the first Reagan woman to become a police officer in years, Nicky received an exceptional opportunity and later moved out of state to work for a tech company instead.
There is one more Reagan grandchild, though his existence was a truly shocking revelation for the rest of the family. Joe Hill (Will Hochman) was Joe Reagan’s son with his girlfriend, Paula Hill. Joe tragically passed away before he learned that Paula was pregnant, but she kept his memory alive by naming his son after him. Despite not being aware of his connection to the Reagans, Joe Hill also found himself keeping up his family’s legacy, as he became a police officer, swiftly rising in the ranks to become a detective and the youngest member of the Firearms Investigations Unit. After his connection to the Reagans is discovered, the family attempts to connect with their estranged relative, though it takes a bit of adjustment time. Ultimately, the family is more than happy to welcome Joe to Sunday dinners, accepting their newfound relative with love and acceptance.
The ‘Blue Bloods’ Family Extends Outside the Reagans
The Reagans form a big family, but not every important part of the family is related by blood. Frank’s trusted colleague, Garrett Moore (Gregory Jbara), the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, remained good friends with him throughout the years, serving as an all-important outside perspective and tempering voice. Danny’s partner, Detective Maria Biaz (Marisa Ramirez), is a long-time trusted colleague, someone who he trusts without fail. Erin has had several romantic interests over the years, but some of her most reliable companions have been the investigators working with the District Attorney’s office. For years, Erin has worked closely with Anthony Abetemarco (Steve Schirripa), a fiercely loyal investigator with whom she shares a deep level of trust and respect.
Though they are just one family, the Reagan household is so expansive and dynamic that they have captured audiences for years. With as many interesting characters with differing personalities, values, and familial relationships, it’s no wonder that Blue Bloods has been such a long-running and successful show. There are still plenty of storylines and directions to explore in the remainder of the show’s final season, from every side of the law. And yet, the Reagan family demonstrates that, despite the chaos of chasing criminals, treating patients, and dealing with the intricacies of the law, there is always time to sit down to a family dinner.
Blue Bloods is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
