Amy Carlson’s departure from “Blue Bloods” after seven seasons left fans in shock due to the off-screen death of her character, Linda Reagan, which occurred between seasons 7 and 8. The decision not to renew Carlson’s contract resulted in Linda’s sudden exit, with her death unveiled in the season 8 premiere.
However, the choice to not depict Linda’s demise on screen sparked criticism from both fans and Carlson herself. They believed it deprived viewers of closure and the opportunity to mourn alongside the characters. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with Linda’s fate, Carlson remained open to the idea of returning for flashback scenes. However, as of her interview in 2017, she had not been approached about it, leaving the possibility uncertain as the show progressed into its 14th season.