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.
