The expansion of the Reagan family legacy from the boroughs of New York to the historic streets of Boston with the new spinoff, Boston Blue, has successfully captured the attention of millions of devoted fans. The series, which follows Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) as he navigates a new life and a new law enforcement family in Massachusetts, is quickly establishing its own identity.
However, for a franchise built entirely on the concept of family, one figure remains conspicuously absent: Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, played for 14 seasons by the iconic Tom Selleck.
While the series premiere treated fans to welcome cameos from Frank’s daughter, Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan), and Danny’s new romantic partner, Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez), the emotional core of the Reagan clan is the patriarch himself. Now, a major star of Boston Blue, the esteemed Ernie Hudson, is stepping forward to become the voice of the fans, openly campaigning and expressing his strong desire for Tom Selleck to make a meaningful cameo in the new show.
Ernie Hudson: The Voice of the Fanbase
Ernie Hudson, a seasoned actor known for iconic roles in films like Ghostbusters and countless television shows, joins Boston Blue as a significant player in the Boston law enforcement family that quickly becomes intertwined with Danny’s life. His character, along with Sonequa Martin-Green’s Detective Lena Silver, forms the new core around which Danny’s professional life revolves.
In recent interviews, Hudson didn’t hold back, articulating a desire shared by fans worldwide: Frank Reagan needs to visit Boston.
Hudson’s reasoning is strategic, emotional, and deeply respectful of the Blue Bloods legacy. He understands that while Boston Blue must stand on its own two feet, it gains undeniable strength and emotional gravitas by honoring its roots.
The Power of the Patriarch
For 14 years, Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan was the moral and professional compass of the entire Blue Bloods universe. He was the center of the Sunday Dinner table, the source of unwavering ethical guidance, and the ultimate authority figure whose approval mattered most to his children.
Danny Reagan, despite his age and experience, still operates under the shadow, and guidance, of his father.
- Emotional Continuity: Danny’s move to Boston is primarily motivated by family, specifically the need to be closer to his son, Sean, who is starting his own police career in the BPD. This new, high-stakes familial situation—a theme that deeply resonates with the original series—is precisely the kind of problem Danny would seek Frank’s counsel on. A father-to-son phone call, or a rare visit, would be a moment of genuine emotional necessity.
- The Ultimate Validation: Having Frank Reagan acknowledge the success and challenges of the Boston Blue characters would serve as the ultimate validation of the spinoff. His presence would symbolically connect the legacy of the NYPD’s top cop directly to the BPD’s new reality.
- A Crossover with Meaning: Unlike a purely action-based cameo, a Frank Reagan appearance would likely focus on a moral or ethical dilemma, maintaining the intellectual depth that distinguished Blue Bloods. The show could contrast the police politics of New York versus Boston, using Frank’s veteran perspective to highlight the common struggle of police work across America.
Logistical Hopes: Making the Cameo a Reality
The biggest hurdle for a Tom Selleck return is, naturally, the actor’s preference. After more than a decade of leading a successful network drama, Selleck has earned his break. However, the nature of a guest star appearance on a spinoff makes a brief return highly feasible.
The Two Pathways to a Frank Reagan Cameo
- The Digital Dinner: The simplest and most likely scenario involves a video call or a phone conversation. This method requires minimal logistical planning, allowing the scene to be shot quickly in New York or even from Selleck’s home base, while still delivering a powerful, emotional beat. Fans would be satisfied simply hearing his voice and seeing him offer his signature brand of tough love and wisdom to Danny.
- The Physical Reunion: For the ultimate fan moment, a physical crossover would be required. This would need to be perfectly plotted to be believable. Scenarios include:
- A Major Family Event: A wedding, a significant promotion ceremony for Sean or Danny, or a holiday gathering in Boston could naturally compel the whole Reagan clan, including Frank, to make the trip.
- An Inter-Departmental Crisis: A high-profile case that spans both New York and Boston jurisdiction—perhaps involving organized crime or terrorism—would provide a believable professional reason for the former NYPD Commissioner to consult with local Boston authorities.
The fact that Donnie Wahlberg is an executive producer on Boston Blue is a critical factor. Wahlberg, who is known to be fiercely protective of the franchise’s integrity and deeply aware of fan desires, holds the power to craft a storyline that is both respectful of Selleck’s time and essential to the show’s emotional narrative. Ernie Hudson’s public enthusiasm is likely a reflection of a quiet, internal push happening within the production itself.
Sustaining the Legacy Through Family
The longevity of Blue Bloods proved that television viewers don’t always need flashy effects or relentless romantic drama; sometimes, they just need a relatable, multi-generational family facing the complex reality of their professional lives. The Sunday Dinner scenes became iconic because they allowed the show to move beyond the procedural elements and explore the personal and ethical toll of the job.
Boston Blue aims to replicate this success with the new Silver family, but the Reagan family bond remains its primary lifeline to the fanbase. Ernie Hudson, by championing Tom Selleck’s return, is acknowledging the importance of this anchor. He’s telling fans that the family they grew to love hasn’t been forgotten; they’ve simply moved north.
Whether it is a single, poignant scene or a recurring voice role, the presence of Frank Reagan in Boston Blue is the final piece of the puzzle that would fully cement the new spinoff as the legitimate heir to the Blue Bloods throne. The hope is real, the desire is strong, and with the enthusiastic backing of the new cast, fans might just get their wish to see the Reagan patriarch grace the screens once more.
