For fourteen seasons, the Reagan family has been a bedrock of network television, embodying a complex blend of unwavering principle, professional dedication, and messy, heartfelt family ties. , centered on the multi-generational policing dynasty led by New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, has delivered over 280 episodes of crime-fighting and Sunday dinners. Now, as the final season approaches its conclusion, the cast members—who have become a real-life family—are sharing their emotional reflections on saying goodbye to the characters and the show that defined an era.
The decision to end the show, announced in late 2023, sent a collective pang through the dedicated fanbase. For the actors who have lived and breathed the Reagan lives for well over a decade, the farewell is far more profound. They are closing a major chapter, one defined by the intimate, almost theatrical, routine of the weekly family dinner and the gravity of the badge.
Tom Selleck: The Weight of the Badge
At the heart of the series is Tom Selleck, the legendary actor whose portrayal of Commissioner Frank Reagan grounds the show with quiet authority and deeply held moral convictions. Selleck’s reflections carry the weight of the patriarch, both on and off-screen.
For Selleck, the ending is bittersweet, tinged with a degree of disappointment about the finality. He has often spoken about the show’s quality and continued relevance, hinting that the story still had life left in it. His emotional connection, however, is most tethered to the character’s integrity.
“I will miss the work, but more than anything, I will miss the show’s integrity,” Selleck has often stated, referring to the show’s consistent refusal to simplify complex ethical dilemmas. Frank Reagan’s office is a place of heavy choices, and Selleck cherished the responsibility of playing a character who always strives to do the right thing, even when the path is unpopular.
His reflections focus less on nostalgia and more on the responsibility of representing law enforcement with nuance. The badge Frank wears represents not just the NYPD, but the moral compass of the series, and for Selleck, stepping away from that role is akin to relinquishing an important public trust. The final scenes, especially those involving Frank’s private moments of contemplation, are expected to be the most emotionally resonant for the actor.
Donnie Wahlberg: The Brotherhood and The Beat
Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Detective Danny Reagan, often serves as the show’s volatile emotional center. His character’s grit and passion are complemented by a fierce loyalty to his family and his job. For Wahlberg, the emotional reflection on the ending is deeply personal and intertwined with the bond he formed with his co-stars.
Wahlberg has consistently referred to the cast as his “second family.” The long hours, the intense scenes, and the shared routine of filming created a unique, familial closeness. His reflections emphasize the end of the routine as much as the end of the show itself.
“It’s going to be a giant void, not being with this group of people,” Wahlberg shared in a recent interview. He highlighted the unique blend of seriousness and humor they shared on set, particularly with his on-screen brother, Will Estes (Jamie Reagan), and his early partner, Jennifer Esposito (Jackie Curatola).
Wahlberg’s emotional reflections often circle back to the brotherhood Danny Reagan shares with the viewers and the real-life police force. He consistently championed the show as a tribute to the men and women in uniform, and saying goodbye means stepping away from that dedicated, weekly spotlight on their sacrifices.
Bridget Moynahan: The Center of the Storm
Bridget Moynahan, who portrays Erin Reagan, the family’s Assistant District Attorney, is the moral and legal center of the storm. Her character often clashes with her family over procedure and the rule of law, making her the perfect voice for the show’s ethical debates.
Moynahan’s reflections are centered on the unique female strength of Erin and the power of the Reagan family dynamic. She noted how rare it is for a show to maintain such a strong focus on a family’s internal dynamics for so long.
“It’s a beautiful way to close the story,” Moynahan said, emphasizing her pride in the show’s commitment to the Sunday family dinner. This iconic scene, often filmed in a single day of intense, tight-knit work, became the heart of their real-life relationships. For Moynahan, the dinner table is the true legacy of the show—the place where conflict is resolved, love is reinforced, and the Reagan identity is forged.
She also expressed deep emotion over leaving the role of Erin, a powerful, complicated woman who successfully juggled a demanding career with the demands of a large, opinionated family. It’s a role she believes resonated deeply with professional women.
Will Estes and Vanessa Ray: The Next Generation’s Legacy
Will Estes (Jamie Reagan) and Vanessa Ray (Eddie Janko-Reagan) represent the next generation of the Reagan legacy. Their characters’ on-screen romance and eventual marriage provided a fresh perspective on balancing marriage with the police force.
Estes’ reflection focuses on growth and gratitude. He literally grew up on the show, transitioning from a Harvard Law graduate to a patrol officer and eventually a sergeant. He expressed immense gratitude for the show’s consistency and the mentorship he received from veterans like Selleck.
“It’s hard to imagine not being Jamie,” Estes stated, acknowledging that the character has become intrinsically linked to his own identity. The final scenes for him are about passing the torch and finding a meaningful, final chapter for the idealistic, often conflicted Jamie.
Vanessa Ray, whose character married into the family, shared the emotion of the newcomer who became a permanent fixture. She talked about the palpable shift in atmosphere on set as they realized they were filming their last family dinners. For Ray, the emotional reflection is about the bittersweet privilege of being accepted into the iconic TV family.
The Family Dinner: A Final Toast
The most emotional reflection shared by all cast members is tied to the Sunday dinner scene. It’s more than a set piece; it’s a ceremonial gathering that anchors every episode.
The cast has revealed that filming the last few dinner scenes was particularly challenging, often requiring multiple takes to manage the lump in their throats. For them, the dinner represents their weekly reunion, their chance to genuinely connect and catch up, often improvisationally, on each other’s lives.
The ending of is more than a series finale; it’s the closing of a weekly family tradition, both fictional and real. The emotional reflections shared by Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, and the rest of the cast underscore the deep, enduring love they share for the characters and the powerful, complex legacy of the Reagan family. As the final episodes air, fans aren’t just saying goodbye to a TV show, they’re bidding farewell to a family that has graced their screens for 14 iconic seasons.
