Amy Carlson’s exit from Blue Bloods remains emotional for both fans and the actress herself.
Speaking to Us Weekly at Equality Now’s 25th anniversary gala, Carlson reflected fondly on her seven seasons as Linda Reagan. She said she was grateful for the opportunity and cherished playing Donnie Wahlberg’s on-screen wife, describing the cast as a “second family.”
Carlson added that leaving a long-running series is never easy, but her contract had ended and she felt it was time to move on.
Linda’s death was revealed in the season 8 premiere, when the character was k1lled in a helicopter crash off-screen-a storyline that shocked viewers. Despite her departure, Carlson said she has remained close with Wahlberg, sharing that they still text often and that he has always been supportive and generous in speaking about her publicly.
However, Carlson later expressed disappointment over comments made about Linda’s death during a Blue Bloods panel at the Paley Center, calling some remarks inaccurate in a social media post. This sparked speculation that she was responding to comments by Bridget Moynahan, who had said the cast was disappointed by Carlson’s decision to leave but supported her choice to pursue new opportunities.
While the circumstances surrounding Linda Reagan’s exit remain a sensitive topic, Carlson has made it clear that she values her time on Blue Bloods and the relationships she built along the way.
