Why Jackie Left Blue Bloods In 2012 & What Her Return Means For Season 14

Summary Jackie Curatola's appearance in season 13 sets up a potential return in season 14, especially in relation to the storyline involving Dr. Walker.

Jackie had last been seen in Blue Bloods season 3, in 2012, after which she was written off with an explanation that the character was suffering from stress.

Actress Jennifer Esposito, who plays Jackie, left Blue Bloods due to her diagnosis of Celiac disease, which affected her ability to work a full schedule.

Blue Bloods season 14 included the surprise return of Jackie Curatola (Jennifer Esposito) after her sudden exit from the show in 2012. Blue Bloods season 13 set up several engaging storylines and character returns throughout its 21 episodes, with one of the most notable including the reunion of Jackie Curatola and Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg). While Esposito’s original departure from the show was controversial, her return suggested that audiences would see more of her in Blue Bloods' season 14 story.

The series follows the Reagans, a family who is deeply involved in the criminal justice system in New York, with patriarch Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) serving as the New York City police commissioner, Danny Reagan working as a detective, Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) serving as a beat cop, and Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) working as an assistant district attorney. Jackie was Danny’s old partner and a series regular for seasons 1 and 2. In season 3, Jackie showed increasing signs of stress and potential burnout, until she decided to leave the department.

Related All 13 Seasons Of Blue Bloods, Ranked Worst To Best Blue Bloods has seen plenty of police drama, heartache, and family issues over its 13 seasons, but some seasons are ranked better than others.

Jackie Was Written Off Blue Bloods Following Jennifer Esposito's Celiac Disease Diagnosis

Jennifer Esposito Last Appeared In Season 3, Episode 7 "Nightmares"

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While Jackie departed Blue Bloods due to stress, Jennifer Esposito left the show for medical reasons as well. Esposito was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an immune disorder that causes those with the illness to become very sick if they eat gluten. In a 2016 interview with Fox News, Esposito shared how her years of stomach issues and hospitalizations were finally explained in 2012 with her diagnosis, which resulted in her doctor recommending a reduced work schedule to accommodate her illness.

However, CBS TV Studios allegedly could not adhere to this schedule, which Esposito said led to her collapsing on set twice. Following this incident on the set of Blue Bloods, Esposito said that the studio did not fully replace her, but instead put her on unpaid leave and blocked her from working for other networks.

Following a week of recovery time, Esposito claimed that the studio then treated her unfairly and did not take her illness seriously before she was written off the show. She alleged that the studio didn't believe that she was sick, but was instead simply trying to get a pay raise.

This, though, is something that is not about me. This is about a disease that people don't understand. What happened was ugliness. It makes me sick.

In response, CBS TV Studios said in a statement that because Esposito could not perform the demands of her role, Jackie would be on a leave of absence but would hopefully return in the future.

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A Cameo Set Up Jackie's Return

What Jennifer Esposito's Season 13 Cameo Set Up

After Jackie’s difficult departure from Blue Bloods in 2012, the character suddenly returned in season 13, a decade after she had left the show originally. Blue Bloods revealed Jackie has become a police chief in Suffolk County, leading to her and Danny working together to try and catch Dr. Walker (Mather Zickel). Since Walker escapes in the season 13 finale, fans knew it was likely Jackie could return in episodes that follow up on this storyline.

The fact that she returned as a Chief of Police showed that she didn't let it hold her down and she moved onward and upward.

It was also a triumphant return though Jackie's resignation seemed like a defeat for the character. The fact that she returned as a Chief of Police showed that she didn't let it hold her down and she moved onward and upward. She also received the authority that she always wanted and felt like she was denied. Instead of tearing the character down, as the show did when she left, it built her back up. Seeing Jackie and Danny teaming up in the Season 13 finale was a huge moment for the show and the character.

Related Why Blue Bloods Officially Being Canceled After Season 14 Is So Upsetting CBS officially announced that Blue Bloods will end in December 2024. The news about the long-running series' end is disappointing for a lot of reasons

What Happened When Jackie Returned To Blue Bloods

Jackie Was Back In "Dropping Bombs"

Jackie was back in Blue Bloods season 14 as expected. This starts when Danny receives a package that says it is from Jackie, but when he opens it, there is a woman's finger in it and a note from the serial killer who has been tormenting them for years, Dr. Leonard Walker (Mather Zickel). This makes Jackie's return a big deal and gives the serial killer a chance to poke at Danny about his failed chances at love with Jackie, and now with Baez. The episode brought Jackie back into Danny's life, for at least a short time.

Jackie helped Danny after a kidnapping, but this rubbed Baez the wrong way for not coming to her first. Clearly, the writers are hinting that Danny will soon find love again, whether it is with Jackie, Baez, or someone else. This was mostly the extent of her much-anticipated return to Blue Bloods season 14. Even if Esposito never returns as Jackie again, it remains a nice sendoff to see she earned her place of respect as the Chief of Police. It was also nice to see her and Danny together again, just to fully patch things up between them.