Donnie Wahlberg is no stranger to playing Detective Danny Reagan — after all, he’s spent 14 seasons embodying the character on CBS’s long-running police drama Blue Bloods. But as he steps into the spinoff Boston Blue, the actor admits there’s one surprising challenge about reprising the role — and it has nothing to do with scripts, stunts, or long shooting days.
In a recent interview, Wahlberg revealed that the “only tricky part” of returning as Danny isn’t about the character’s personality or backstory. It’s about sports loyalty. “Danny is a New Yorker, through and through — a Mets guy, a Jets guy. But me? I’m from Boston, and I’m a die-hard Red Sox and Patriots fan,” Wahlberg said with a laugh. “It’s kind of funny, because here I am filming in Boston, playing a New York cop. I have to keep my Boston sports fandom in check when I’m in character.”
The irony is hard to miss. In Boston Blue, Danny has left New York — and the NYPD — behind, taking a position with the Boston Police Department. The new series pairs him with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green), the eldest daughter of a prominent Boston law enforcement family. While the fictional move makes for a compelling fresh start for the character, it also puts Wahlberg in the unusual position of portraying a New Yorker in his own hometown — a reversal that’s both amusing and challenging for him.
Still, Wahlberg says the role remains deeply rewarding, even with this playful conflict of allegiance. “It’s been amazing to bring Danny into a new city, to explore how he adjusts, and to see him interact with this new team,” he explained. “We’re also keeping that family spirit that made Blue Bloods so special. Even though the Reagan family isn’t all together in one place, they’re still part of Danny’s life.”
Boston Blue is set to premiere Friday, October 17, at 10/9c on CBS, in the time slot once held by Blue Bloods. The series will feature familiar faces — including Bridget Moynahan returning as Erin Reagan in the premiere — along with a new ensemble cast. Wahlberg has teased more surprise cameos, promising fans a first episode that will “blow people’s minds.”
For Wahlberg, the trickiest part might be wearing a Mets cap without instinctively swapping it for a Red Sox one — but if anyone can bridge the gap between Boston pride and New York grit, it’s Detective Danny Reagan.
