Blue Bloods may have wrapped up its final chapter, but the legacy of the show—and its stars—continues to resonate deeply with fans and cast members alike. In a heartfelt conversation, Abigail Hawk, who played Abigail Baker for 14 seasons, opened up about how Tom Selleck, the legendary Magnum, P.I. star, left a lasting mark on her life and career—even influencing her character’s very name.
Abigail, now 42, joined Spectrum News on New Year’s Eve in the bustling heart of Manhattan’s Times Square to reflect on her incredible journey with the CBS series. Alongside interviewer Shannan Ferry, she discussed the profound impact Blue Bloods had on her career, especially as the series finale aired on December 13.
Looking back on her time on the show, Abigail shared how much she grew during her tenure. “So much happened,” she said reflectively. “I literally became the woman that I am today. It still feels a little surreal, but at this point, I’m just leaning into the gratitude of it all. It happened, and it was amazing.”
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“This was such a beautiful chapter in the book of my life,” she added with enthusiasm. “And I’m so excited to see what comes next. Detective Baker was more than just a character to me—she became the foundation every woman wants to have. Honestly, she’s way cooler than me!”
A Name That Stuck
Shannan remarked on how cool Abigail was and brought up an interesting tidbit: Tom Selleck had changed the character’s name to match her real name. “Oh, he sure did,” Abigail confirmed with a laugh. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the name Melissa. I’ve gotten some flack over this, but Tom really liked the name Abigail. So, thanks, Mom and Dad, for naming me that!”
Over the years, eagle-eyed Blue Bloods fans noticed that Tom’s character, Frank Reagan, referred to Abigail as “Melissa” in early season 1 episodes. This observation sparked discussions on Reddit, and Abigail addressed the topic during a January 2021 interview with Starry Mag, confirming that Tom had officially changed the character’s name.
From Melissa to Abigail: A Personal Touch
When asked how her character was initially described to her, Abigail shared some fascinating details. “At first, she didn’t have a last name, an age, a gender, or even a race. She was just kind of a blank slate,” she explained. “She was either Detective Mel or Melissa, but no first name. Definitely not my first name.”
“Once I got the role, Tom decided to change the name to Abigail after the first couple of episodes because he thought Melissa was too ordinary. And hey, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she revealed with a smile. “Then he cleared it with the lawyers to give her the last name Baker. He thought it was important for me to have a full identity since I was a regular on the show. So yeah, it was all him.”
A Fitting Farewell
In the series finale, Abigail joined Frank Reagan to solve one last case involving a dangerous gang threatening New York City. True to form, the Reagan family managed to bring justice and closed the show with a heartwarming reunion at their iconic dinner table.
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