Amy Carlson’s departure from “Blue Bloods” after seven seasons left fans shocked when her character, Linda Reagan, was unexpectedly killed off between seasons. In the season 8 opener, viewers learned of Linda’s tragic death in a helicopter crash, a decision that perplexed many due to the lack of on-screen closure. The reason behind Linda’s exit was rooted in Carlson’s decision not to renew her contract after season 7, a choice made clear to the production team well in advance.

While Carlson didn’t have a specific vision for Linda’s exit, she believed it should have been portrayed on screen to allow fans closure and participation in the storyline. Expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of Linda’s demise, Carlson voiced her willingness to return for flashback scenes, though no such opportunity had arisen at the time of her interview. As time passed, the likelihood of her character’s return dwindled, but Carlson remained open to the possibility, acknowledging the importance of properly concluding Linda’s story for both fans and herself.