Jackie Curatola was one of the most important Blue Bloods characters during the show’s early seaons. She was introduced as the partner of Danny Reagan (Mark Wahlberg), and their bond, as well their banter, made them one of the most entertaining pairings in the entire ensemble. When Jackie resigned from the force in season 3, it felt like a premature ending to an essential character.
Fortunately, Jackie returned for the season 13 finale. A little later than fans might have wanted, but as the saying goes: better late than never. Jackie revealed that she had not only resumed her job as a police officer, but had been promoted in the interim, and she helped Danny solve a case during the aforementioned finale.
Is Jackie returning to Blue Bloods?
It was a great cameo, but it’s unlikely that the character, and the actress who plays her, Jennifer Espositio, will be returning to Blue Bloods for season 14. Everything we wanted to know about the character, including the state of her career and her dynamic with Danny, was answered in her role, and bringing her back a second or even third time would risk cheapening the impact of the season 13 finale.
Espositio was thrilled to be able to come back and give Jackie a proper send-off, as evidenced by her Twitter message to fans: “A huge thank you to all the Blue Bloods fans for all the love. You all rock. Xoox,” but the fact remains that her relationship with the show was less than ideal when she initially left the show.
“Look, they have a job that they need done. I get it,” Esposito told FOX Files. “You don’t think I can do it in the two or three days that I am offering in that… work space of eight days? Then I get it, you have to replace me. But that’s not what happened. What happened was ugliness.”
While fences appear to be mended, it does seem logical to assume that the past drama between the actress and the showrunners would prevent a lengthier return to the show. We’re glad it came together at all, frankly.
