This fall, CBS is turning up the heat on its primetime lineup — and fans are in for a crossover event unlike anything the network has ever attempted. In an exclusive early look at CBS’s 2025–2026 television slate, the network teased multiple interconnected storylines and character crossovers across its most popular dramas, with Donnie Wahlberg’s new series Boston Blue taking center stage.
According to insiders, the event will mark a bold new chapter in the CBS procedural universe, linking together fan-favorite shows like Blue Bloods, FBI, and NCIS: Boston. While each series will maintain its standalone narrative, Boston Blue will act as the “hub” that unites them all.
“We’re calling it the CBS Fall Universe,” teased CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach in an exclusive statement. “It’s about expanding the storytelling potential of our biggest franchises while giving fans the dream team-ups they’ve been asking for.”
Boston Blue Leads the Charge
At the center of the crossover is Donnie Wahlberg, who both stars in and executive produces Boston Blue. The series, set in Wahlberg’s hometown, follows a specialized police task force navigating corruption, loyalty, and justice in modern-day Boston.
Boston Blue stars Wahlberg alongside Sonequa Martin-Green, Aldis Hodge, and Jennifer Carpenter, and is already generating buzz for its gritty tone and emotionally complex characters. CBS insiders describe it as “Blue Bloods meets True Detective — but with the heartbeat of Boston.”
In the first major crossover episode, Wahlberg’s Detective Jack Reilly will reportedly work with Special Agent Jubal Valentine from FBI (played by Jeremy Sisto) to track down a fugitive with ties to both Boston and New York. According to CBS, this episode will be a key event that launches a series of interconnected cases across multiple shows throughout the fall season.
“Donnie has always been a unifying force at CBS,” said Reisenbach. “With Boston Blue, we’re building on his legacy while giving audiences something thrillingly new.”
Crossover Madness: Who’s Teaming Up with Who?
CBS has confirmed that the crossover lineup will include appearances from characters across FBI, NCIS: Boston, S.W.A.T., and even Blue Bloods. The network promises that each appearance will be “story-driven,” not just a fan-service cameo.
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Jeremy Sisto (FBI) will guest-star in Boston Blue’s premiere episode.
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Vanessa Ray (Blue Bloods) is expected to appear midseason as an NYPD liaison, sparking speculation about a shared universe between Blue Bloods and Boston Blue.
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Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS) will also make a brief appearance in a late-fall episode that sees his character assisting Boston PD on a federal-level investigation.
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And in a surprise reveal, S.W.A.T.’s Shemar Moore is slated to appear in a two-part crossover event dubbed “Operation Trinity.”
Each crossover will reportedly weave into a larger overarching storyline involving an international crime syndicate that spans several CBS franchises — a move the network hopes will mirror the success of cinematic universes like Marvel’s, but within its signature procedural format.
“It’s a huge storytelling experiment,” said Wahlberg in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We’re building something that feels epic and connected — but still grounded in the character-driven stories that CBS fans love.”
Donnie Wahlberg’s Triumphant Return
For Wahlberg, Boston Blue marks both a homecoming and a creative evolution. After more than a decade as Detective Danny Reagan on Blue Bloods, Wahlberg is stepping into a new role — one that allows him to blend his passion for storytelling with his roots in Boston’s culture and grit.
“Boston’s in my DNA,” Wahlberg said. “This show isn’t just about cops — it’s about community, legacy, and what it means to protect the place you love.”
The actor and producer also revealed that he drew inspiration from his experiences filming Blue Bloods, as well as real-life conversations with Boston police officers. “We want authenticity. We want to show the human side of policing — the humor, the heartbreak, and the hope,” he added.
Behind the camera, Boston Blue reunites Wahlberg with Blue Bloods producer Kevin Wade, who serves as showrunner. The creative team promises a tone that balances procedural action with emotional storytelling, exploring the moral gray areas of modern law enforcement.
CBS’s Bold Strategy for Fall 2025
Industry insiders see this crossover initiative as CBS’s most ambitious move in years. With Blue Bloods concluding and several other franchises reaching maturity, the network is banking on Boston Blue to be both a spiritual successor and a fresh anchor for its fall lineup.
The interconnected storytelling approach not only appeals to long-time fans of CBS dramas but also positions the network to compete with streaming platforms’ universe-style storytelling. Early audience testing reportedly shows “strong engagement and emotional connection” to the crossover concept.
“This is the future of network TV,” said analyst Mark Dubin from Variety Insight. “Viewers crave connection — between stories, characters, and worlds. CBS is smart to capitalize on that.”
Looking Ahead
The crossover rollout will begin in late September 2025, starting with Boston Blue’s two-hour premiere event titled “Lines We Cross.” The premiere will directly tie into FBI Season 8’s early episodes and lead into a sweeping midseason storyline connecting all participating shows.
CBS has hinted at even more surprises ahead — including “a shocking death, a double agent twist, and a reunion fans never saw coming.”
For now, fans can expect Boston Blue to headline CBS’s fall schedule, airing Mondays at 9 PM ET/PT.
“This is more than just a show,” Wahlberg said with a grin. “It’s the start of something bigger — for Boston, for CBS, and for everyone who loves a great cop story.”
With Boston Blue poised to redefine what a CBS procedural can be — and the promise of crossover chaos ahead — this fall might just be the most exciting season network television has seen in years.
