Tom Selleck has maintained a consistent presence in Hollywood and had a significant impact on newer generations of actors over his almost six-decade career.
Working with the great Selleck in Blue Bloods, actor Abigail Hawk, who considers her co-star a “champion,” hails his talent on and off screen.
Continue reading to see why Hawk claims “it’s the best gig in the world!”
When Abigail Hawk was just 28, she earned the part of a lifetime in Blue Bloods, a new television series starring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, and Jennifer Esposito.
The program revolves around Frank Reagan, a fictitious New York City police commissioner and patriarch of a cop family.
Selleck, 78, portrays Detective Abigail Baker, the commissioner’s closest aide, played by Hawk, 41.
Baker, whose prior credits include the 1995 TV series Reality Check with Ryan Seacrest, one episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and minor film appearances, confesses she was “greener” than her co-stars.
However, by leveling the playing field, Selleck helped her feel more at ease. “I have a seat at the table with him, if that makes sense,” Hawk stated. “Despite my younger age, he never makes me feel inferior…””We communicate at the same level.”
In reality, the man with the trademark mustache gave her persona a distinct identity.
“Originally, [Abigail Baker] did not have a surname. She didn’t have an age. She didn’t have a gender. She didn’t have a race. She did not own anything. She was either Detective Mel or Melissa. So, no first name. “Definitely not my first name,” Hawk explained. “I got the role, and about two to three episodes later, Tom [Selleck] decided to change it to Abigail because he thought Melissa was too ordinary, which I guess is a compliment, so I’ll take it.”
She credits the Magnum P.I. actor for bringing her character to life, saying, “He obviously thought it was very important for me to have a last name since I was a person on the show.” “So they gave me a full-fledged persona, and it was all his.”
Hawk is now in her 13th season on the program, and she is more at ease working alongside some of Hollywood’s greatest personalities on one of television’s most popular series.
As her role on Blue Bloods evolved, Hawk had to adjust to the grueling filming schedule while still making time for her growing family.
Some performers, like Selleck, who lives on an avocado farm in Hidden Valley, California, find it difficult to film the police procedural drama, which needs them to go to New York.
The star of Three Men and a Baby, a veteran with 59 years of experience, understands how to balance personal and professional responsibilities.
“It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that.” Selleck, who has made a fortune from his classic performances, tells People, “I’m a relatively quiet person. And I’ve always valued the balance between work and time with my family. “It is always about them.”
Hawk, like her character on the program, adheres strictly to the commissioner’s work schedule.
In an interview with The Actor’s Audience on YouTube, Hawk discussed Selleck’s filming method, saying, “I really work on Tom’s schedule, which is great.” He sort of bookends his episodes together. He’ll film the final four days of one episode, then the first four days of the next, before returning to Los Angeles to spend time with his family. She goes on, “So the entire time, I can either work on another project or spend time with my children. I’m telling you, this is the finest employment in the world.”
While Hawk clearly admires Selleck for his brilliant time management, she also admires who he is off screen.
She gushes about the lead guy on Blue Bloods, saying, “I absolutely adore Tom and am exceedingly grateful for him.” He has been a tremendous supporter of mine. I appreciate that he saw that I had a lot to contribute in the business, and he’s a strong supporter of women.”
Hawk’s support for women was evident when she was away after giving birth to her son. The actor who plays Frank Reagan has enormous regard for and affection for his co-star. In a significant gesture, he stepped in to cover for the actress during her maternity leave.
“Tom Selleck literally rewrote a scene around the delivery of my son, which is a pretty awesome legacy,” she stated after her baby boy was born.
Hawk recently extended the same support she received from Selleck to cast member Jessica Pimentel, who played Detective Laura Acosta in one episode in 2023.
Hawk posts a series of images of the two on set to Instagram, accompanied by the caption, “My admiration for this guy right here.” She is brave, unapologetic, kind, forceful, balanced, subtle, skilled, and flexible, with endless depth and surprises. I pay close attention to her work ethic and determination, her thoughtful and detailed selections, and her independence and bravery on stage.” The statement adds, “She dazzles in everything she does!” “I am still in awe of you.”