Actress Abigail Hawk made her mark on 'Blue Bloods' by portraying Detective Abigail Baker across all 14 seasons of the beloved series. But here's a fun fact: her character originally had an entirely different name when the show first premiered. It was none other than Tom Selleck, the legendary Frank Reagan, who decided the character's initial name just wasn't cutting it.
From Melissa to Abigail: The Name Change in Season 1
When 'Blue Bloods' kicked off its very first season, Tom Selleck’s character, Frank Reagan, referred to Abigail Hawk's character as Melissa. Interestingly, on IMDb, she was credited for playing Detective Melissa in the first two episodes, and then as Detective Melissa Baker for the rest of the season. However, when Season 2 rolled around, Abigail Hawk started being credited with her current character name — Detective Abigail Baker. This name stuck with her character for the remainder of the series.
Why Tom Selleck Changed Abigail Hawk’s Character’s Name
Abigail Hawk has been open about how her character was initially presented in the script, with very few defining traits. In a January 2021 interview with Starry Mag, she shared, “Originally, my character didn’t have a last name, an age, a gender, or even a race. She was either Detective Mel or Melissa — no first name, no personal identity at all.”
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She continued, “Once I landed the role, about two to three episodes in, Tom decided to change the name to Abigail because he felt Melissa was too common. I guess that’s a compliment, so I’ll take it. Then, with the help of the show's legal team, Tom chose the last name Baker. He really believed it was crucial for my character to have a full identity since I was a recurring presence on the show. That was all thanks to him.”
Abigail Hawk has never shied away from discussing this pivotal moment in her career. During an October 2024 interview with Hello! Magazine, she elaborated further on the process of changing her character’s name. “Tom was determined to create a more personal version of the police commissioner, and he sat down with the showrunners, Mitch and Robin Burgess at the time,” she recalled. “He said, ‘We’re keeping Abigail here as this special assistant to the commissioner. But I don’t like the name Melissa—it’s just too plain. We can do better than that.’”
Abigail expressed her appreciation for having her character share her real first name. “Once the legal team cleared Baker as a last name, Tom really embraced the name Abigail,” she said. “It was the first time I ever felt positive about my name. Growing up, I didn’t like it, but now it’s tied to this strong, capable woman. By the fifth or sixth episode of season one, Abigail Baker was born.”
Looking Back on 'Blue Bloods'
Unfortunately, the curtain fell on 'Blue Bloods' with its series finale in December 2024. But Abigail Hawk still cherishes her time on the show. “So much happened during my time there,” she reflected during a post-finale appearance on Spectrum News. “I literally became the woman I am today. It feels surreal, but at this point, I’m just embracing the gratitude. It happened, and it was amazing.”
In a later part of the interview, she reiterated how Tom Selleck was instrumental in shaping her character from the beginning. “There’s nothing wrong with the name Melissa,” she admitted. “But Tom just really loved the name Abigail, so I’m forever grateful to my parents for giving me such a meaningful name.”
