“Why Tom Selleck Renamed Abigail Hawk’s ‘Blue Bloods’ Character: Inside His Decision”
Abigail Hawk portrayed Detective Abigail Baker on Blue Bloods for all 14 seasons, but did you know her character originally had a different name? It was Tom Selleck, her costar, who played a key role in changing it.
What Was Abigail Hawk’s Original ‘Blue Bloods’ Character Name in Season 1?
In season 1, Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan initially referred to Abigail’s character as Melissa. In fact, she was credited as Detective Melissa in the first two episodes, and as Detective Melissa Baker for the remainder of season 1 on IMDb. By season 2, the character’s name was changed to Detective Abigail Baker, which stayed consistent throughout the rest of the series.
Why Was Abigail Hawk’s ‘Blue Bloods’ Character’s Name Changed?
Abigail recalled how little information about her character was provided when she first received the role. “Originally, she didn’t have a last name, age, gender, or even race,” she shared in a January 2021 interview with Starry Mag. “She was simply either Detective Mel or Melissa—no first name. Definitely not mine.”
After a few episodes, Tom Selleck decided to make a change. “Tom thought Melissa was too ordinary, so he pushed for the name Abigail,” Abigail explained. “I guess that’s a compliment—I’ll take it!”
Selleck also ensured her character received a full identity, including the last name “Baker.” “He thought it was important for my character to have a proper last name since I was a permanent part of the show,” she said. The name change was not only about personalizing the character but also about giving her a more distinct identity within the show.
Once Tom got his way, he worked with the showrunners at the time, Mitch and Robin Burgess, to solidify the change. “Tom said, ‘We’re going to keep Abigail as the special assistant to the Commissioner, but I don’t like Melissa—it’s just too ordinary. We can do better than that.’”
