As production ramps up for CBS’ highly anticipated Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue, fans are buzzing with excitement about the fresh setting, new characters, and — perhaps most importantly — the possibility of familiar faces returning. Among those eager for a special reunion is veteran actor Ernie Hudson, who has joined the cast of Boston Blue and recently shared his hope that Blue Bloods legend Tom Selleck might appear in the new series.
A Veteran Actor Joins a Legendary Legacy
Ernie Hudson, best known for his iconic roles in Ghostbusters, The Crow, and more recently Quantum Leap, brings decades of experience to Boston Blue. In the spinoff, he’s set to play Chief Ray Morrison, a seasoned Boston Police commander who becomes both a mentor and occasional adversary to Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan.
Hudson’s casting immediately elevated fan anticipation, as his commanding presence and moral complexity make him a perfect match for the tone of Blue Bloods’ world — where justice, integrity, and personal sacrifice collide.
During a recent interview, Hudson spoke candidly about stepping into a franchise with such deep emotional roots, and he didn’t hesitate to mention who he’d love to see stop by: Tom Selleck.
“I have the greatest respect for Tom Selleck,” Hudson said. “What he brought to Blue Bloods was more than just leadership — it was heart, wisdom, and gravitas. If we could get him to appear in Boston Blue, even for a single scene, it would mean a lot to the fans — and honestly, to all of us in the cast.”
Keeping the Reagan Spirit Alive
Since the end of Blue Bloods, many fans have wondered how Boston Blue will carry on the spirit of the original without Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan, the stoic and principled NYPD Police Commissioner.
Hudson acknowledged that challenge and emphasized how Wahlberg and the creative team are determined to honor what came before.
“Donnie’s passion for this story is inspiring,” Hudson said. “He understands that Blue Bloods wasn’t just a police drama — it was about family, duty, and the moral weight of doing what’s right. Boston Blue is going to explore those same themes, just through a different lens. But it would be amazing to have Frank Reagan drop in — even for a moment — to remind us where Danny came from.”
Hudson’s comments reflect a growing sentiment within the cast and fandom: that Boston Blue doesn’t have to completely detach from its roots to move forward.
Could Tom Selleck Actually Return?
While CBS has not confirmed any guest appearances from the original Blue Bloods cast, Donnie Wahlberg has repeatedly teased that “the door is open.” Wahlberg himself has hinted that the proximity between New York and Boston could make crossover moments possible.
“New York and Boston aren’t that far apart,” Wahlberg joked in a previous interview. “You never know who might show up.”
That lighthearted comment has fueled plenty of speculation — and now, with Hudson joining the chorus of hope, fans are more optimistic than ever that Selleck might return, even for a cameo or a phone call scene.
Industry insiders also point out that Selleck has remained in close contact with Wahlberg since Blue Bloods wrapped. Their mutual respect and long-standing friendship make the idea of a reunion both emotionally satisfying and logistically feasible.
What a Frank Reagan Cameo Would Mean
A cameo by Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan in Boston Blue would be far more than fan service. It would serve as a symbolic passing of the torch — from one city, one police department, and one era of storytelling to another.
For over a decade, Frank Reagan represented the conscience of Blue Bloods: a leader guided by moral clarity, faith, and the heavy burden of command. His dynamic with Danny — at times tense, always heartfelt — defined much of the show’s emotional depth.
Hudson, who has played mentors and leaders throughout his career, said that seeing Frank and Danny interact again “would bring full-circle closure to one of television’s most beloved father-son relationships.”
“There’s something powerful about seeing generations connect,” Hudson added. “Frank Reagan doesn’t just belong to Blue Bloods — he belongs to a legacy of television heroes who led with compassion and strength. To have him appear in Boston Blue would remind us all what leadership really means.”
The Shared Vision Behind Boston Blue
Hudson also praised the creative vision driving the spinoff, emphasizing that it’s not just a continuation, but an evolution.
“We’re not trying to remake Blue Bloods,” he explained. “We’re building something new while honoring what came before. Boston Blue has its own tone — it’s grittier, more introspective — but it still has that heart. You’ll feel the DNA of Blue Bloods in every episode.”
He added that working with Donnie Wahlberg has been “a joy,” describing him as “a leader on set the same way Danny Reagan is on screen — fiercely loyal, passionate, and committed to telling stories that matter.”
A Crossover Fans Would Love
If Tom Selleck were to appear, it wouldn’t just unite Blue Bloods and Boston Blue — it would send a message to viewers that the Reagan story continues, even beyond New York.
A short cameo, a heartfelt phone call, or even a flashback could tie the two shows together beautifully. It would reassure fans that the Reagans’ values — family, service, and justice — remain the cornerstone of the franchise.
Hudson summed it up best:
“We all stand on the shoulders of what came before us. Tom Selleck set the tone. If we’re lucky enough to have him visit Boston Blue, even briefly, it would feel like coming home.”
In Summary
Ernie Hudson’s heartfelt wish for Tom Selleck’s cameo captures what fans everywhere are feeling — excitement for what’s new, but gratitude for what came before.
As Boston Blue begins filming, the possibility of a Blue Bloods crossover remains one of the most talked-about hopes in television right now. Whether or not Frank Reagan walks into Danny’s new precinct, the influence of Tom Selleck’s character will loom large over every decision, every case, and every heartfelt moment in Boston Blue.
Because as Ernie Hudson reminds us — “Once a Reagan, always a Reagan.”
