The end of CBS’s Blue Bloods after 14 seasons left a massive, Reagan-sized hole in the hearts of fans. The weekly ritual of the Sunday family dinner, the ethical sparring between Frank and his children, and the unwavering partnership of Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) and Detective Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) were suddenly gone.
However, the legacy of the Reagan family is far from over. The new “universe expansion” series, BOSTON BLUE, starring Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan, is proving that you can take the detective out of New York, but you can’t take the Reagan out of the Blue Bloods world.
While the new series focuses on Danny’s transition to the Boston Police Department and his integration into the new Silver law enforcement family, showrunners have made it clear that the New York past is essential. The biggest news exciting the fandom is the confirmation that two major fan favorites from the original series have already been woven into the BOSTON BLUE narrative: Erin Reagan and, most significantly, Maria Baez.
The reunion with Detective Maria Baez is the ultimate fulfillment of a decade’s worth of fan hope, promising to continue the romantic thread left hanging in the Blue Bloods finale and solidifying the fact that the bonds forged in the NYPD are truly unbreakable.
💔 The Grand Reunion: Danny Reagan and Maria Baez
The partnership between Danny Reagan and Maria Baez was one of the most compelling dynamics in Blue Bloods. Starting as tough-as-nails partners who frequently argued but always had each other’s backs, their relationship evolved into a deep, protective friendship that finally tipped into romance in the original series finale.
The Crossover Moment
The reunion between Danny and Baez is a recurring theme in the early episodes of BOSTON BLUE.
- Episode 3: The Initial Visit: Baez first made a brief, but crucial, appearance in Episode 3, traveling from New York to visit Danny. This cameo confirmed that their romantic relationship—which fans had yearned for since Danny’s wife, Linda, died—was still active, albeit long-distance. This single scene instantly bridged the two worlds and gave fans a glimpse into Danny’s new personal life away from the Sunday dinner table.
- Episode 6: Working the Case: The true fan favorite reunion happens in Season 1, Episode 6, where Baez returns to Boston, not just as a girlfriend, but as a working partner on a joint case. This is the first time since the Blue Bloods finale that Danny and Baez are back on the streets together. The plot forces the two former partners to work side-by-side, reviving their signature banter, their unspoken communication, and their unmatched ability to crack a case.
This recurring presence of Marisa Ramirez as Baez is a direct result of fan demand and the show’s commitment to honoring Danny’s past. As Ramirez herself noted, the decision to continue their relationship was “really sweet and generous” to the fans who were left “hanging” after Blue Bloods ended.
The challenge for the couple, and the drama for the show, will be navigating a long-distance relationship between two highly dedicated police detectives. While Baez’s future remains officially recurring, the possibility of her and her daughter, Elena, eventually moving to Boston remains the ultimate hope for the BOSTON BLUE faithful.
🗽 The Reagan Family Connection: Erin Reagan
While the Danny-Baez reunion is the romantic highlight, the biggest direct link to the Reagan family’s ethical and professional world is the return of Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan.
- The Premiere Guest Star: Erin appeared as a special guest star in the series premiere of BOSTON BLUE. Her visit was timely and emotionally necessary: she traveled from New York to offer emotional support after Danny’s younger son, Sean Reagan (now played by Mika Amonsen), was injured in the line of duty as a rookie BPD officer.
- The Emotional Anchor: Erin’s presence immediately provided the “Reagan Family Dinner” element that was so crucial to the original series. She attended a Silver family dinner, serving as an important character witness for Danny, explaining his intense, driven personality—a result of the tragedies he has faced—to his new Boston partners.
- Professional Crossover: As an Assistant District Attorney in New York, Erin’s ongoing professional connection to her brother remains strong. Her appearance validates the idea that even though Danny has transferred cities, the Reagan family remains the bedrock of his life and career. Moynahan is also confirmed to be directing an episode, further cementing her involvement in this expanded universe.
The reappearance of both Erin and Baez confirms that the Reagans are not abandoning Danny; they are just adjusting to his new address.
👨👩👧👦 The New Family: Danny and Sean Reagan
The most permanent Blue Bloods fan favorites to cross over are Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan and his son, Sean Reagan, now played by Mika Amonsen.
- The Reason for the Move: Danny’s move to Boston was directly triggered by his son’s career path. Due to an NYPD hiring freeze, Sean moved to Boston to become a police officer, fulfilling the Reagan tradition. When Sean is injured in a massive fire, Danny follows, leading him to take a position with the BPD to be closer to his son and to investigate the case that put Sean in the hospital.
- The New Dynamic: BOSTON BLUE gives Danny a unique opportunity he never had on Blue Bloods: being a father to a cop. This adds a layer of paternal anxiety and pride, creating new dramatic tension as he navigates his role as a detective while worrying about his rookie son patrolling the streets of Boston.
- The Reagan Legacy Continues: The younger generation of Reagans is represented by Sean, who is partnered with Jonah Silver (Marcus Scribner), the rookie son of the Silver family, mirroring the familial police dynamics of the original series but with a fresh, contemporary spin.
🔮 The Future of the Blue Bloods Universe
The successful integration of Erin and Baez suggests that the door is wide open for more Blue Bloods favorites to appear in BOSTON BLUE.
Donnie Wahlberg himself has hinted that more castmates will be “creeping in,” fueled by the dream of eventually uniting the New York and Boston forces in a massive crossover movie.
- Jamie Reagan (Will Estes): The youngest Reagan sibling, now a Sergeant and new father, would be a natural choice for a guest spot, perhaps visiting his brother and nephew with his wife, Eddie Janko-Reagan (Vanessa Ray).
- Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck): The hardest to secure, Frank Reagan’s appearance would be the ultimate power move. While challenging, a story requiring the expertise of the NYPD Commissioner to assist the BPD on a major cross-state case remains the holy grail for fans.
BOSTON BLUE is not just a spin-off; it is a thoughtful universe expansion that uses the power of familial and romantic bonds to launch a new, dynamic police procedural, proving that the Reagan family dinner table may have shrunk, but the family itself is bigger than ever.
