The legacy of the Reagan family is set to continue. As the long-running procedural Blue Bloods concluded its impressive run, the anticipation for its highly-touted spinoff, Boston Blue, reached a fever pitch. With Donnie Wahlberg reprising his role as Detective Danny Reagan, the new series promises to explore fresh territory while staying true to the themes of family and justice that made the original show a hit. The show’s official cast announcements have revealed a host of new characters from Boston’s own prominent Silver family. But the most intriguing news has been the return of a familiar Reagan family member—and fans are already debating whether the show is bringing back the wrong one.
With the pilot set to premiere, it has been confirmed that Danny’s youngest son, Sean Reagan, will be a main character in the new series. While this is a heartwarming move meant to explore the father-son dynamic, it feels like a missed opportunity. The more compelling and dramatically ripe choice would have been the return of his brother, Joe Hill. The decision to bring back a character with a completed arc instead of one with a complex and unresolved history with Danny signals that Boston Blue may be playing it safe when it could have been playing it bold.
The Return of Sean Reagan: A Safe, But Uninspired Choice 👨👦
The official plot synopsis for Boston Blue confirms that Danny has relocated to Boston to be closer to his son Sean, who is now a patrolman with the Boston Police Department. The show has even recast the role, with actor Mika Amonsen stepping in to play the grown-up version of Sean. While the premise of a father and son upholding the family legacy together is a powerful one, it doesn’t introduce any new conflict or challenge for Danny. Sean has always been the dutiful son, the academic. His arc was one of simple growth and maturing into a young man.
His return is a safe, predictable choice. The emotional well has already been tapped. Fans have watched Danny navigate fatherhood for years, and while it’s a touching premise, it’s not one that sparks a high-stakes, dramatic fire. The show has an opportunity to start with a bang, but by focusing on the father-son dynamic with Sean, it risks rehashing familiar territory. It’s a comfortable, but ultimately uninspired, choice for a series trying to carve its own identity.
The Right Choice: Why Joe Hill Was the Character to Bring Back 🕵️♂️
The character that Boston Blue should have brought back is Danny’s younger brother, Joe Hill (played by Will Hochman). Joe Hill is a complex and fascinating character whose story is still largely untold. As the son of the late Joe Reagan, the brother Danny never knew, Joe Hill is a living link to the family’s greatest tragedy. His relationship with the Reagan family, particularly with his uncles Danny and Jamie, has been fraught with tension, love, and a desire to prove himself on his own terms.
A spinoff featuring Joe Hill would have been a masterstroke. It would have provided a much-needed outlet to explore the unresolved trauma of losing his father and how that affects his approach to police work. A partnership between Danny and Joe would be nothing short of explosive. They are both hot-headed, unconventional detectives who aren’t afraid to bend the rules. But their shared grief and deep-seated family bonds would create a fascinating dynamic, full of both heated arguments and powerful moments of understanding. Bringing back Joe Hill would not only have been a bold creative choice, but it would have given the show a built-in emotional weight that Sean’s return simply can’t provide.
A Tale of Two Brothers: What a Danny & Joe Spinoff Could Have Explored 💥
A Danny and Joe Hill spinoff could have explored some of the most compelling themes in the One Chicago and Law & Order universes. It could have been a buddy cop show that was also a deep dive into the nature of family trauma and legacy. Imagine a storyline where a case forces them to work together, their vastly different personalities clashing at every turn. Danny, the veteran detective who relies on street smarts, and Joe, the brilliant but conflicted young cop who is haunted by the past.
The show could have explored their shared grief over losing the elder Joe Reagan and the different ways they’ve coped with it. Danny lost a brother; Joe lost a father he never knew. Their partnership could have been a powerful journey of healing and mutual respect. The tension from the first few episodes would have been organic and earned, not forced. It would have been a show about two men who, while both Reagans, have to learn to trust each other and become the family they never had the chance to be.
A Missed Opportunity? The Future of “Boston Blue” 📉
While the show has the potential to be a success, the decision to feature Sean Reagan’s return instead of Joe Hill’s feels like a missed opportunity. It’s a safe, fan-service move rather than a bold, dramatic one. The return of Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) in the premiere is a welcome cameo, but it only reinforces the feeling that the show is trying to replicate the Blue Bloods formula rather than innovate. The show’s creators have stated they are expanding the Blue Bloods universe, but a true expansion requires bold new characters and complex relationships. Joe Hill’s unresolved history with his family, particularly with Danny, was a blank canvas just waiting to be filled. Instead, the show has chosen a more predictable path.
This doesn’t mean the show will fail, but it does mean it may struggle to find its unique voice. The father-son dynamic has been a staple of television for decades, but the brotherly bond between two men haunted by the same ghost is a far more compelling narrative. There is still hope that Joe Hill will make a guest appearance in a future season, but by not making him a central part of the new series, Boston Blue may have missed its chance to truly stand out.
Conclusion
The new Blue Bloods spinoff, Boston Blue, has made a bold choice in bringing back a familiar Reagan family member. While the return of Danny’s son, Sean, is a heartwarming nod to the past, it’s a decision that lacks the dramatic potential of a storyline featuring his brother, Joe Hill. The complex, unresolved relationship between Danny and Joe Hill was a blank canvas waiting to be filled with high-stakes, emotional drama. By choosing a safer, more predictable route, the show has missed an opportunity to start its new chapter with a powerful and compelling story. Fans can only hope that the series will eventually bring Joe Hill back into the fold, providing the powerful family reunion that viewers truly want to see.
