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‘Blue Bloods’: Why Did Officer Rachel Witten Star Lauren Patten Leave the Show?

With the season 12 Blue Bloods premiere possibly setting the stage for Officer Rachel Witten leaving, it came to fruition. While Lauren Patten’s character had a good reason to leave the force, it was actually because Patten was leaving the show.

The Blue Bloods season premiere had Witten considering leaving the force. After saving a woman from being assaulted in the park, the victim spat in Witten’s face. Growing tired of the abuse she endured as an officer, she contemplates leaving. As it turns out, she did end up quitting. However, it’s a bit premature to say goodbye to her character forever. Frank told her after hearing her decision to come back to him in a year to say whether she’s happy with her decision or not.

While not technically a series mainstay, Lauren Patten had flexibility on playing her character on the show. So, what made her decide to officially leave, if only for a bit? Patten frequently performs on Broadway. In fact, she recently won a Tony Award for her role in Jagged Little Pill. We’ve only seen her so much on the show recently because Covid spurred many theaters to shut down.

Coincidentally, Jagged Little Pill reopened recently, meaning Patten will be focusing more on Broadway for now. She even posted about it on Instagram.

Speaking about her arrival to the stage, she’s humbled and excited to be back. Part of the post’s caption reads “it has been a journey, and it will continue to be. we made it here, and I’m grateful for every step of it. to our cast + crew – congratulations, and welcome back to the stage. I am deeply proud of you.”

Maria Baez Actor Marisa Ramirez Kicks Butt on ‘Blue Bloods’ and Off

Hearing what actors do as hobbies or side jobs is always interesting, regardless of the show. As stated, Lauren Patten enjoys Broadway, but did you know Marisa Ramirez has years of experience as a kickboxer?

Speaking to PopCulture this year, Ramirez disclosed her acting history, as well as her life before that. Along those lines, not only does she have years of kickboxing experience, she actually taught it for six years. “There’s always been this kind of bossy quality, strength, power, woman of power sort of thing. Maybe I just like to yell at people, and maybe I was good at that.”

It appears that wasn’t always the case though. Starring in shows like General Hospital, Miracles, Against the Wall, and The Young and the Restless, she previously played a different kind of role. “It’s kind of like my work was going in phases a little bit. There was a phase where I was the crying girlfriend. It was the sad girlfriend. It was like a bunch of guest star roles that was happening for a little while.”

Nevertheless, she seems to have come into her own. I don’t think anyone wants to mess with Maria Baez.