‘Blue Bloods’: The Show Gives a Nod to Will Estes and His ‘Lassie’ Days
During Blue Bloods Season 10, Episode 16, the show acknowledges Will Estes (Jamie Reagan) and his starring role on The New Lassie in a clever way. Here’s how Blue Bloods quietly gave the actor a nod.
What happened during ‘Blue Bloods’ Season 10, Episode 16
During Blue Bloods Season 10, Episode 16, a stray dog comes running up to Eddie (Vanessa Ray) and her partner, Rachel (Lauren Patten). After the dog runs up to them, he leads to them down the block, prompting them to check out a crime in progress. As Eddie and Rachel follow the dog, Eddie calls out, “OK, Lassie!” Once they arrive at the location, the officers see a man and woman engaged in a domestic dispute.
Later, Eddie begs Jamie to let her keep the dog. At first, he declines. It didn’t help that the dog rummaged through his office and left a big mess. However, the dog redeemed himself after he led Eddie and Jamie to another crime in progress. Jamie decides to let the dog live at the precinct. The officers welcome their new partner with open arms, even buying him his own indoor doghouse. At the top of the doghouse is the name “Jamko,” which is a combination of Jamie and Eddie’s names.
Will Estes in ‘The New Lassie’
Will Estes starred in the television show The New Lassie from 1989 to 1992, in which he played Will McCullough for 36 episodes. At the time, he worked under the name Will Nipper.
The hosts of The Talk showed a picture of Estes from a scene on the set of The New Lassie when he was 10 years old. He told the hosts of The Talk he will never forget his time on the show. Estes joked that when his dog barks, he says “Lassie’s trapped in a well?” The original Lassie aired from 1954 to 1974. Estes made a point during his interview to emphasize he wasn’t part of the original Lassie cast.
How Will Estes got the role of Jamie Reagan on ‘Blue Bloods’
Estes was quite impressed by the Blue Bloods script when he first saw it. However, in order to get the part of Jamie Reagan, he would have to give it his all. He made sure his performance was so convincing the producers believed he was actually Jamie. Estes told CBS Watch he auditioned for the part four times before he was offered the role. Here’s what Estes said about the audition process for Blue Bloods:
I auditioned for what felt like 11 times, but it was actually just four. I remember the script was my favorite thing I’d read all year. I don’t think I ever told anyone this, but I was totally broke. After reading with [Leonard Goldberg, Blue Bloods’ executive producer], I remember he said, “I believed you.” That was an endearing vote of confidence.
Read more: ‘Blue Bloods’: Is Erin Reagan Right? Are Family Dinners Morbid?
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