Why Did the Wife on Blue Bloods Leave the Show

Jennifer Esposito was on Blue Bloods for two years.
Her sudden exit confused fans, who still wish she hadn't left the show.
Here's what really happened with Jennifer.

Jennifer Esposito only played Donnie Wahlberg's partner on the CBS cop drama Blue Bloods for two years, from 2010 to 2012. But to this day, fans are still begging for her character, Detective Jackie Curatola, to return to the show.

Jennifer left Blue Bloods suddenly in 2012 after she collapsed on set due to complications from Celiac disease, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

CBS announced Jennifer's departure in a statement to Deadline at the time, saying, "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."

blue bloods jennifer esposito donnie wahlberg

CBS Photo Archive Getty Images

But Jennifer soon took to Twitter to dispute CBS's account of the situation, alleging that the network put her on unpaid medical leave after her doctor said she had to work a reduced schedule due to her condition.

The circumstances surrounding her exit continued to confuse and frustrate fans. Keep reading for a breakdown of Jennifer's explanation, Jackie's goodbye, and the latest news on the actress.

Why did Jennifer really leave " Blue Bloods" ?

After CBS's announcement, Jennifer wrote a series of tweets accusing the network of "absolutely shameful behavior."

"CBS knows PUT me on unpaid leave an has blocked me from working anywhere else after my doc said u needed a reduced schedule due to celiac …CBS didn't listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw!" Jennifer wrote, according to Entertainment Weekly. "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 brining me back to work + keeping… Me from working anywhere else! So no that article is not telling you the truth. Absolutely shameful behavior … If you feel this is unjust use your voice. That's all we have sometimes … I love you all for the support need to rest now the whole situation brakes my heart. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo"

Asked for comment, CBS gave EW a longer version of the statement reported by Deadline, adding that Jennifer "is a wonderfully talented actress, and we hope that she will be able to return at some point in the future." The network declined to comment on the tweets.

In an interview with Fox News shortly after she was laid off from the show, Jennifer said that what happened to her was "ugliness" and explained why she couldn't fight CBS's actions.

"Last week I was told I was on suspension, which meant I am still in contract, not being paid. It's completely illegal, but they also knew that I didn't have the money or the means to sue them," she said.

What happened to her character on the show?

why did jennifer esposito leave blue bloods

CBS Photo Archive

Jennifer was last seen in the Blue Bloods season three episode "Nightmares," in which her character, Jackie, explained that she was taking a leave of absence from law enforcement because of stress. Although CBS hinted that Jennifer's character might come back in the future, so far she hasn't returned to the still-running show.

Where is Jennifer now?

Since leaving Blue Bloods, Jennifer has had roles on The Affair, The Boys, and the CBS series NCIS. According to Deadline, Jennifer is set to star in the upcoming Netflix limited series Inventing Anna. Jennifer will play Talia Mallay, "the famous owner of a lavish lifestyle brand who excels at the social game."