For eleven seasons, the partnership between Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) and Detective Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) was the gold standard of professional chemistry on CBS’s Blue Bloods. Their relationship was built on a foundation of fierce loyalty, shared trauma, and a palpable, undeniable energy that transcended the standard cop procedural dynamic.
The question of whether “Dabaez” would ever cross the line from partners to lovers became one of the biggest slow-burn plot points in the history of the series. While Blue Bloods intentionally kept the boundary firmly in place throughout its original run, the new spin-off, Boston Blue, has finally confirmed that the decade-long fan desire has been realized: Danny and Baez are officially a couple.
Here is the complete timeline tracing their evolution from skeptical colleagues to one of television’s most anticipated romantic pairings.
🤝 Phase I: Building the Foundation (Seasons 3–7)
The partnership began in the middle of Season 3 (2013), following the departure of Detective Jackie Curatola. Baez was immediately a challenging presence for the notoriously stubborn Danny Reagan.
Key Milestones: Trust and Trauma
- The Introduction (Season 3): Danny had a revolving door of partners, often female, before Baez. Initially, their dynamic was prickly, with Baez pushing back against Danny’s aggressive, rule-bending style. They were forced to earn each other’s trust in a way that was unique for Danny.
- The Unbreakable Bond (Mid-Seons): Over time, their dynamic solidified into a powerful, symbiotic partnership. They became experts at anticipating each other’s moves. They developed a unique, teasing shorthand and were frequently seen going above and beyond for one another, establishing a deep, platonic intimacy rare on TV.
- The Linda Factor (Season 7 Exit): The death of Danny’s wife, Linda Reagan (Amy Carlson), in a helicopter crash between Seasons 7 and 8, marked the single greatest impediment to any future romance. Both the characters and the showrunners were keenly aware that the audience needed time to grieve and that any immediate romance would be a disservice to Linda’s memory.
During this phase, the relationship was strictly professional, but the “subtextual relationship”—as noted by former showrunner Kevin Wade—was fully visible to the audience.
💔 Phase II: Emotional Intimacy and The Slow Burn (Seasons 8–14)
Following Linda’s death, the nature of Danny and Baez’s bond shifted dramatically. Baez transitioned from being Danny’s partner to also being his grief counselor and emotional anchor.
Key Milestones: Crossing the Emotional Line
- The Guardian Angel: Baez became the one person Danny consistently confided in about his struggles as a single father and widower. She frequently pulled him back from the brink of self-destruction or professional disaster, demonstrating a deep, protective love that was clearly more than platonic friendship.
- Shared Danger: The episodes where they were trapped together—like the infamous instance where they were held captive by a drug cartel—further cemented their co-dependency. Surviving extreme, life-threatening moments together built an emotional history that was too profound to ignore.
- Baez’s Adoption (Season 12): A crucial moment arrived when Baez adopted her baby girl. Danny’s reaction was heartfelt and paternal. He sweetly promised Baez that he would “always be a shoulder of support for her” and quickly took on the role of a supportive, doting figure in the baby’s life. As Donnie Wahlberg later stated, in his eyes, “They’re already a couple. He’s godfather to her new baby.” This was the highest point of their platonic intimacy.
- The “Doorway of Possibility” (Series Finale): The Blue Bloods series finale did not deliver a kiss or a grand romantic declaration. Instead, it offered the “pizza crumb.” Danny, clearly influenced by sage advice from Grandpa Frank Reagan, broke tradition and asked Baez to grab a pizza—a simple invitation that felt monumental after years of unspoken tension. Her acceptance left the door open to the possibility, fulfilling Donnie Wahlberg’s tease that the characters would “stand in the doorway of possibility.”
This entire phase was a calculated risk by the showrunners, maintaining the line while acknowledging the chemistry to respect the fan base and the legacy of Linda.
💍 Phase III: The Payoff and The Spinoff (Season 1 of Boston Blue)
The confirmation of the Danny and Baez romance occurred not in the finale of the original series, but in the premiere of the spin-off, Boston Blue. This move satisfied fans while allowing the characters a fresh start free from the structural limitations of the original show.
Key Milestones: Officially a Couple
- The Bedroom Reveal (Boston Blue Premiere): Approximately three minutes into the Boston Blue premiere (October 2025), the show delivered the payoff. Danny received a phone call, and Maria Baez was right by his side, in his apartment, establishing that the “pizza date” led to a full-fledged romantic relationship. This instant reveal was a thrilling, non-verbal confirmation that Danny had finally moved on and found happiness with the person closest to him.
- The Long-Distance Challenge: The spin-off immediately introduced a new hurdle: long distance. With Danny moving to Boston to be closer to his son Sean, the couple now face the challenge of making a new relationship work across state lines. Co-showrunner Brandon Margolis confirmed this struggle would be a central theme, stating, “The struggle of moving to a new place and what you leave behind is front and center.”
- The Romantic Reunion (Boston Blue Episode 3, “History”): This episode provided the next major advancement. Baez flew to Boston for a romantic weekend with Danny. The episode featured a crucial conversation where Danny, drawing on his history with Baez, advised his new partner to take a chance on love. The episode concluded with Danny and Baez sharing a kiss and a romantic embrace in an elevator, marking the ultimate payoff to the decade-long slow burn.
🌟 The Legacy of Dabaez
The Danny and Baez relationship is a testament to the power of a slow burn. It was a romance earned not through superficial chemistry, but through shared risk, profound trust, and mutual, decade-long support. Their transition from the Squad Room to a confirmed long-distance relationship on Boston Blue is the ultimate reward for the characters and the dedicated Blue Bloods fanbase.
The story continues, with Marisa Ramirez confirmed to return multiple times in the first season of the spin-off, ensuring that the saga of Detective Maria Baez and Detective Danny Reagan—the partners who became potential lovers, and then finally, a couple—is far from over.
