Blue Bloods star Will Hochman portrays Frank Reagan’s formerly estranged grandson Joe Hill in the hit cop drama.

Will Hochman won’t be reprising his fan-favourite role as Joe Hill for the rest of Blue Bloods’ 13th season.

The grandson of New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (played by Tom Selleck), Joe wasn’t introduced to the family until season 10 when he discovered they were related.

He has since become one of the most beloved new additions to the cast despite appearing in just a handful of episodes this season.

However, TV Line has now reported Hochman’s most recent episode, Past History, will be his last for the time being.

In his latest round of scoops, Matt Webb Mitovich confirmed: “Joe, who appeared four times this season (ie same as last), is not due to appear in any of this season’s final three episodes.”

Thankfully, Blue Bloods was recently renewed for a 14th season, so there’s every chance Joe will pop up in future episodes.

Even so, Joe’s absence from the remainder of the season will come as a disappointment to fans who have fallen in love with the character over the years.

Many viewers have even called for producers to make Hochman a series regular after being hooked by the NYPD detective’s introduction to the family.

Reddit user u/kayky97 said recently: “I love him too. He only gets 4-5 episodes per season, which stinks. What’s wrong with these producers?”

“The entire cast has been on forever and are all over 40. They need young blood, and he’s not only in the family, but he’s in the family business.

“I don’t get it, and I wish someone would explain it to me.”

And on Twitter, @BuckeyeCuti wrote: “I miss Joe Hill… they need to bring him on as a full-time cast member.”

Unfortunately, nothing about his involvement in Blue Bloods’ next season has been confirmed just yet.

Selleck and his main co-stars Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan and Will Estes are all returning, though details about the supporting cast are being kept under wraps.

It’s also unknown what sort of challenges the Reagans will face in the year ahead.

Throughout season 13, Frank’s clash with Mayor Peter Chase (Dylan Walsh) has been front and centre.

Plus, his daughter Erin (Moynahan) has been facing opposition in her run to become New York’s district attorney while Danny (Wahlberg) and Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) continue to take on the city’s toughest cases.

Blue Bloods season 13 continues Fridays on CBS in the USA and the following Mondays on Sky Witness in the UK.