10 Times TV Shows Got Too Real

9. Blue Bloods - Jennifer Esposito Is 'Retired' Due To Her Real Life Illness

Real life illness can strike at any time. It doesn't matter if you're working as a cashier in a local supermarket or starring in a well-known television series, when your body starts waving some red flags it's important to listen to it.

Jennifer Esposito's red flags began to wave when the star suddenly dropped to the floor on the set of Blue Bloods in 2012. This unexpected incident was the result of the actor's constant battle with Celiac disease (a severe allergy to gluten which can lead to people passing out from time to time), something she'd been dealing with for years. Then, after consulting a doctor in the wake of this fall, the actor was told to take some time off to recover.

However, the actor claimed that CBS felt this was simply a ploy to earn herself a raise and that she wasn't in fact ill at all. The actor also noted that she only initially agreed to join the show as she thought her character was only going to be used sparingly. Then, after asking for a medically-advised reduced schedule, the actor was soon fired from the role. The network later confirmed her departure in a statement, saying:

"Jennifer has informed us that she is only available to work on a very limited part-time schedule. As a result, she's unable to perform the demands of her role."

This then eventually led to her character on the show, Det. Jackie Curatola, choosing to take a leave of absence due to the stresses of the job and never returning to Blue Bloods again.

Thankfully, her disease hasn't stopped her working altogether in the years since, as the actor has recently appeared in Amazon Prime's The Boys as Susan Reynor.

Contributor
Contributor

Lifts rubber and metal. Watches people flip in spandex and pretends to be other individuals from time to time...