The final Reagan family dinner may be a distant memory, but the Blue Bloods universe is far from over. As fans eagerly await the new spinoff, Boston Blue, centered on Donnie Wahlberg’s Detective Danny Reagan, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is which of the original cast members will be making the jump from New York to Boston. With a new city, a new police department, and a new family at the center of the story, the cast of Boston Blue is set to be a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. While some beloved stars are making their return, others are pursuing new projects, marking a significant shift for the long-running franchise.
The decision to launch a spinoff following Danny Reagan was a smart move, as his character was a fan-favorite and his hot-headed yet deeply principled approach to justice provided a wealth of compelling storylines. However, for a show so deeply rooted in the concept of family, the absence of the other Reagans is a major point of discussion. Here’s a detailed breakdown of which Blue Bloods stars are, and are not, returning for the new series.
Returning to the Reaganverse: A Few Familiar Faces
First and foremost, the star of the show, Donnie Wahlberg, is back as Detective Danny Reagan. The premise of the spinoff sees Danny trading his NYPD badge for one with the Boston Police Department, a move that brings him back to his hometown. Wahlberg isn’t just a star; he’s also an executive producer, a role that ensures his deep understanding of the character and the franchise’s legacy will be a part of the new show’s DNA.
Joining him, and much to the excitement of fans, is Bridget Moynahan, reprising her role as Danny’s sister, Assistant District Attorney Erin Reagan. While her appearance is described as a special guest role in the pilot, it’s a critical bridge between the two series. Her presence in the inaugural episode not only provides a sense of continuity but also shows that the bond between the Reagan siblings remains a central theme, even as they navigate life in different cities. Furthermore, Moynahan is set to direct an episode of the new series, showcasing her expanded creative role within the franchise.
A Surprising Recasting: The Next Generation
Perhaps the most significant and talked-about casting news is the return of a key Reagan family member, but with a new actor. Danny’s youngest son, Sean Reagan, will be a series regular on Boston Blue, but the role will now be played by Mika Amonsen. This marks a recasting from the original actor, Andrew Terraciano, who portrayed Sean for all 14 seasons of Blue Bloods.
The new storyline for Sean explains the change and provides a compelling narrative for his character. He will be a rookie patrolman in Boston, a choice he made to follow his family’s law enforcement legacy but on his own terms and outside the powerful shadow of the New York Reagan dynasty. This plot point not only justifies the move to Boston but also allows the show to explore a deeper, more mature relationship between Danny and his son, now that they are colleagues as well as family.
New Bloods: The Silver Family
While the new series brings back a few familiar faces, its primary focus will be on an entirely new law enforcement dynasty: the Silver family. These new characters will form the core ensemble cast and provide a fresh dynamic for Danny Reagan to interact with.
- Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery, The Walking Dead) joins the cast as Detective Lena Silver, Danny’s new partner. Described as a rising star within the BPD, her character’s by-the-book approach is sure to create a compelling contrast with Danny’s more maverick style, much like his dynamic with his former partner, Baez.
- Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) will play Reverend Peters, the patriarch of the Silver family and a highly respected community leader. His presence is reminiscent of Len Cariou’s Henry Reagan, serving as a moral compass and a wise elder to the younger generation.
- Gloria Reuben (ER) has been cast as Mae Silver, the Boston District Attorney. Her character, the matriarch of the family, is expected to be a powerful figure in her own right, possibly filling the void left by Frank Reagan in the new series.
- Maggie Lawson (Psych) and Marcus Scribner (Black-ish) round out the Silver family as Police Superintendent Sarah Silver and rookie cop Jonah Silver, respectively. Their roles promise to introduce new interpersonal relationships and professional challenges for Danny as he acclimates to his new department.
The Stars Who Are Not Returning
As exciting as these new additions are, the move to Boston means that many of the original Blue Bloods cast members will not be returning in a regular capacity.
- Tom Selleck, who defined the series as Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, is not part of the Boston Blue cast. While fans hold out hope for a future guest appearance, Selleck has been focusing on other projects, including a potential return to his beloved Jesse Stone film series.
- Len Cariou, the wise and witty Henry Reagan, is also not returning. The veteran actor has already been cast in a new comedy series, American Classic, signaling his move to a different genre after a decade as the Reagan patriarch.
- Will Estes and Vanessa Ray, who portrayed the beloved couple Jamie Reagan and Eddie Janko-Reagan, are not on the cast list. Their story had a natural conclusion with their final appearance in Blue Bloods, leaving them to pursue other roles.
- Marisa Ramirez, who played Danny’s partner Detective Maria Baez, is also not currently slated to appear in Boston Blue. The absence of her character is particularly notable given the strong partnership she had with Danny and the hint of a possible romantic future in the Blue Bloods finale.
The shift in the cast reflects the show’s deliberate move to establish its own identity. By bringing in a new family and a new city, Boston Blue is attempting to be more than just a carbon copy of its predecessor. It is a new show with a fresh perspective, but with enough callbacks and familiar faces to honor the legacy of the original. The blend of returning stars and exciting new talent suggests a series that is ready to forge its own path while still respecting the family tradition that made Blue Bloods a television institution.
