Blue Bloods: How Is Joe Hill Related To Frank Reagan?

In nearly a decade and a half of “Blue Bloods” episodes, fans have been treated to one of the most extraordinary families in television memory with the Reagans. Of course, there are the mainstays: Henry (Len Cariou), his son Frank (Tom Selleck), and the children who sit around the table. Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) works the detective desk, Erin Reagan (Bridgette Moynahan) works in the DA’s Office, and Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) patrols the street. But in later episodes, another connection to the Reagan family appeared.
Joe Hill (Will Hochman) showed up as a driven and capable officer, showing that he had the ability to rise in the ranks of the department in ways that others couldn’t. From the moment the viewers meet Hill, it is clear that there is more to him than meets the eye. Eventually, it is revealed that he is related to Commissioner Frank Reagan.

But how is he related to the Commish? He brings back both pain and pride when Frank discovers that his son, who died in the line of duty before the premier of the series, had a son of his own. Joe Hill, who went by his mother’s maiden name, was unaware of the connection. When he discovers his grandfather is the one and only Frank Reagan, he mirrors the feelings of the viewers by being shaken and unsure of what to think.

Joe Hill has helped complete the Reagan family tree
The revelation that Joe Hill is Joe Reagan’s son brings up many feelings for both the fans and the Reagans. The first season of the series saw the Reagan family searching for their son and brother’s killer, discovering finally that it was a group of corrupt police officers called The Blue Templars. Since finding the killers, Joe Reagan has all but disappeared from the series, having been relegated to passing mentions at family dinners.
Hill has shown up 14 times since his initial appearance and has become a fan favorite. While he isn’t a regular yet, he has forced Frank to make difficult decisions — something showrunner Kevin Wade says was intentional. In speaking with TVLine, Wade said, “It was almost like, ‘Forget the police commissioner stuff. What does a grandfather do with his grandson when in his life and under his command, the boy’s father — and his own son — was lost in the line of duty?’ What we tried to write, and certainly what Tom [Selleck] played, was 99% a family man faced with his worst nightmare… It’s a very deep-seated fear of what life can hand you because he was handed [it] once already.”

Joe Hill’s presence has a way of completing the Reagan family tree, and it seems that it’s only a matter of time before the actor is back for a regular role.
Through ten seasons, Blue Bloods has become one of the most popular dramas on CBS. This police procedural features the Reagans, a family in New York City with a history in law enforcement. Typically, Frank (Tom Selleck), Henry (Len Cariou), Jamie (Will Estes), Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), and Erin (Bridget Moynahan) are the show’s main characters — but sometimes, it can be difficult to keep track of the rest of the family. Casual viewers might forget the order of the family tree, for instance, because some of the grandchildren aren’t always as crucial to the show. Plus, the Reagan family’s history with tragedy makes this situation even more complicated. The deaths of Frank’s mother, his wife and his son, Joe, add more layers of complexity to the whole thing.

After the season 10 finale introduced a new member of the family, further complicating the situation, it’s time to sort through the Reagan’s relationships, and remind fans exactly how these beloved characters are related to each other.

Grandpa set the stage for the rest of the family
CBS Television Distribution
Starting at the top, Henry Reagan leads the family tree. As Frank Reagan’s father, the whole family stems from “Grandpa” Henry. His career as a police commissioner set the stage for the family, as each one of them followed in his footsteps and forged their own path in law enforcement. More than anyone, Frank carried on his father’s legacy when he became the police commissioner. Henry’s old-fashioned views on policing are often a source of conflict in the show. Most of the family usually agrees with Henry and Frank, but some members tend to challenge th