Tom Selleck Changed ‘Blue Bloods’ Character Name to Match Actress’s Real Name

Abigail Hawk, who played Detective Abigail Baker on CBS‘s long-running series Blue Bloods, revealed that her character’s name was changed to match her real name thanks to co-star Tom Selleck. The actress, who portrayed the role for all 14 seasons of the show, shared the story during a recent interview on Spectrum News in Manhattan‘s Times Square.

Hawk explained that her character was initially named Detective Melissa Baker in the show’s first season. However, Selleck, who plays Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, pushed to change the name to Abigail. “Tom decided to change it to Abigail because he thought Melissa was too ordinary,” Hawk said. “Then he cleared with the lawyers the last name Baker. He obviously thought it was very important for me to have a last name since I was a person on the show.”

In early episodes of Blue Bloods, Selleck’s character referred to Hawk’s role as Melissa, and she was credited as Detective Melissa Baker on IMDb. By Season 2, the character’s name was officially changed to Detective Abigail Baker, a name she retained for the remainder of the series.

Hawk, a Chicago native, reflected on how the show shaped her life and career during the interview. “So much happened,” she said. “I literally became the woman that I am. It still feels a little bit surreal, but I think at this point, I’m just leaning into the gratitude aspect of it. It happened. It was amazing.”

The actress also shared that her character initially lacked a defined identity. “Originally, she did not have a last name. She did not have an age. She did not even have a gender,” Hawk recalled. “She did not have a race. She did not have an anything. She was either Detective Mel or Melissa.”

Blue Bloods aired its series finale on December 13, 2024, after 14 seasons. Hawk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play a character that resonated with audiences. “It’s such a beautiful chapter in the book of my life,” she said. “I’m so excited to see what happens next, especially because I feel like Detective Baker is the foundation that every woman wants to have.”