ollowing her recurring role as Danny’s sidekick, the actress was promoted to series regular — replacing Jennifer Esposito.
CBS’ Blue Bloods has found a permanent replacement for Jennifer Esposito.
After a repeat at the end of season three, Marisa Ramirez has been promoted to series regular, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned.
Ramirez will reprise her role as Detective Maria Baez, who was the full-time partner of Donnie Wahlberg’s Detective Danny Reagan.
“It still all feels a little strange,” Ramirez told THR. “From day one, everyone was very welcoming. Working with Donnie, the cast and crew of Blue Bloods can pamper a girl. Total pros, one by one, and all very supportive. I just enjoy every minute. Actually, I never dreamed I would return to normal. To say I am grateful is an understatement.”
The promotion comes after the CBS drama tried out three different female leads opposite Wahlberg last season. Megan Ketch had four pilot episodes and Megan Boone was in three. The void was created when series regular Esposito was placed on indefinite leave by producer CBS Television Studios.
Esposito, who has celiac disease, had to take medical leave and eventually had to part ways with the film. The actress opened her own gluten-free bakery in New York to meet the needs of people with the disease that attacks the autoimmune system.
Ramirez’s credits also include Body of Proof, Against the Wall, Spartacus and ABC’s recently canceled The Young and the Restless. She is represented by Kohner Agency, Harrison Stokes and Kraditor & Haber.
