Jennifer Esposito Forced Out of Blue Bloods, Goes Off on "Shameful" CBS Behavior
An ugly situation is developing on the set of Blue Bloods.
Jennifer Esposito, who has portrayed Detective Jackie Curatola since the show's first season, has been placed on temporary leave due to medical reasons based around the actress' battle with Celiac Disease.
Said CBS Studios in announcing the move:
“Jennifer has informed us that she is only available to work on a very limited part-time schedule. As a result, she’s unable to perform the demands of her role and we regretfully had to put her character on a leave of absence.”
Esposito has already filmed her final episode, which will air on November 2, and the series has reportedly lined up a set of replacements, beginning with Megan Ketch, who will debut on that same installment.
HOWEVER, Esposito has taken to Twitter and voiced her extreme displeasure with the way things have gone down.
“CBS put me on unpaid leave and has blocked me from working anywhere else after my doctor said you needed a reduced schedule due to Celiac,” she wrote. “CBS didn’t listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS implied that I was NOT truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise! It’s been almost two months without bringing me back to work + keeping Me from working anywhere else!… Absolutely shameful behavior.”
We'll keep readers apprised of this development as Blue Bloods Season 3 progresses.
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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May 6th, 2013 8:52 PM
It's not nearly as good without Jennifer
April 24th, 2013 9:01 PM
As long as it has been I am still waiting for Donnie's partner
Jackie. It does not seem the same.......
February 24th, 2013 10:11 AM
Blue Bloods is not the same without Jennifer Esposito. Danny (Donnie) does not gel with the milk toast replacements. Bring her back so we can start enjoying the show again.
February 24th, 2013 10:07 AM
Blue Bloods is not the same without Jennifer Esposito. Danny doesn't gel with the milk toast replacement partners. Bring her back and let us start rea;;y enjoyin
February 14th, 2013 11:07 PM
Monitoring is best done when you have a couple of data to compare. A lot of blood pressure monitors have huge memory banks storing about 80 or more readings. If you're going to buy a blood pressure monitor that's so hard to use then might as well stick with sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. automatic arm blood pressure monitor http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BF8FS44
January 5th, 2013 10:39 PM
Bring back Jack. This Kate character is annoying. There is no chemistry between Kate and Danny. You can see Danny working and the Kate character is lifeless. She's not the actress that's needed for the role.
January 5th, 2013 12:00 PM
Jennifer Esposito was my favorite actress on the show .. I agree with many of the commenters in that .. I can't help but wonder if there is more to her removal than her illness .. perhaps a network big wig has decided to insert a "favorite" into a successful show .. I'm sure quite a few people will say "oh well" and continue watching .. but I've decided to boycott the show .. too bad that I can't really make a difference.
December 31st, 2012 7:30 PM
Blue Bloods is one of my favorite shows, but changing an integral cast member such as Danny's partner was a mistake. Sure hope they bring her back as she contributed a tremendous amount to the story lines.
December 9th, 2012 2:23 AM
If what has been said is true then Jennifer needs to talk to some lawyers! I am sure she can find someone pro bono, it is illegal to keep a person from work due to a medical issue! It is a shame CBS is doing this. I really liked the interaction and chemistry between Jackie and Danny. I do not see the same thing with the new girl......please bring Jennifer back!!
December 5th, 2012 4:04 PM
HELP TOM!!! Your CBS series is making a big mistake by taking Jennifer out of the "family". When you follow a series you get to know the characters and expect to see them develop and grow. The mix on this series was amazing. The Reagan "family" and the cop "family" was what made the series different. Don't let them mess this up--FIX IT QUICK-GET JENNIFER BACK TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!