Jack Boyle is a polarizing character in Blue Bloods. As the ex-husband of Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan), he was always going to have a target on his back when it came to dealing with the rest of the family. His wildly unpredictable behavior doesn’t help. One minute he’s empathetic and even likable, and the next he’s creating distance between him, Erin, and their daughter.
Regardless of how one feels about Jack, one has to admit that he’s intriguing. He’s also used in moderation. Despite being around since season 3, he’s only been in a dozen episodes over the last decade. This, of course, begs the question: Is Jack going to be making an appearance in season 14?
What happened to Jack Boyle on Blue Bloods?
Jack certainly made an impression when he returned to the fold in season 13. He got in touch with Erin after she was accused of causing the suicide of a former colleague, and Daily Mail reported that fans were none too happy to see him. He was gone just as quickly as he appeared, though, in keeping with his character’s unpredictable nature.
This unpredictably is what basically ensures that he will be in season 14. Jack, played by Peter Hermann, is an agent of chaos, and the fact that he’s an ancillary character in the world of Blue Bloods actually plays to his benefit. His longevity is tied to the fact that he’s never the focus of the story, and is therefore never at risk of dying, going to jail, or causing an event so drastic that he’d be banished from the lives of the Reagans.
Similarly crucial is the fact that the show hasn’t forced Jack and Erin to get back together. Bridget Moynahan talked this during a 2021 interview with Glamour. “I didn’t see the need for it”, she noted. “But I don’t know if it was ever a specific conversation of, ‘Let’s just leave Erin single, as a single mother.’ She was introduced on the show as a single, newly divorced, single parent. And I felt like there’s some strength and relatability in that for a lot of people.”
Expect to see Jack Boyle back in the mix for season 14, but as always, don’t expect him to do much.