The premiere of Boston Blue, the highly anticipated spinoff of the long-running family and police drama Blue Bloods, delivered an emotional gut punch by immediately confirming what millions of fans had been wondering for years: the “will-they-or-won’t-they” saga of Detective Danny Reagan and his former partner, Detective Maria Baez, is officially “they will.”
Actress Marisa Ramirez, who played Detective Baez for 11 seasons on Blue Bloods, made a surprise debut in the Boston Blue pilot, a brief but powerful scene that unequivocally established her romantic relationship with Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan. In a post-premiere interview, Ramirez spoke about the intentional secrecy of the reveal, the fan demand for the pairing, and how their long-distance romance will be explored as Danny settles into his new life in Boston.
The Sizzling Reveal: From Pizza Date to Committed Couple
The $14$ seasons of Blue Bloods concluded with a subtle, yet massive, cliffhanger: Danny Reagan finally asked Maria Baez out for pizza. The series finale left fans on a knife-edge, unsure if this moment of “pizza possibility” would blossom into true romance. Boston Blue wasted no time in answering that question.
Marisa Ramirez’s cameo occurs early in the pilot, showing her and Danny waking up together in Danny’s New York home. The easy, playful banter—complete with a rare glimpse of a shirtless Danny Reagan—immediately established that their relationship has evolved into a committed romance.
Ramirez lightheartedly confirmed the fan theory in an interview, joking, “I guess that pizza led to a series of dates.” This revelation was a deliberate choice by the spin-off’s producers, who wanted to validate the emotional investment of the original show’s audience. Executive Producer Brandon Sonnier stated that since audiences were left to wonder after the Blue Bloods finale, “it was important to us that… the one opportunity to show him before he left, was to have Baez there.”
This decision to “join the story in progress” with the couple already established is a nod to the deep connection the characters forged over a decade of working together.
Addressing Fan Demand: The Natural Evolution
The romantic pairing of Danny and Baez had always been a divisive topic among the dedicated fanbase. Some saw the chemistry as undeniable, especially after Danny’s wife, Linda, passed away. Others felt it would cheapen their strong, professional partnership, mirroring the relationship arc of Jamie Reagan and Eddie Janko.
Ramirez, however, noted that she and Wahlberg, along with the writers, always felt the romantic evolution was a natural progression.
“On the street, people tell me they would like to see us get romantic,” Ramirez shared, adding that she and Wahlberg “often spoke of their getting together. It was only kind of natural that they would end up [that way].”
Wahlberg himself reportedly championed the idea of exploring the relationship in the new universe, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to resolve the long-teased plot thread. The comfort and genuine affection viewers witnessed on screen were not just scripted; they were born from a strong decade-long friendship between the two actors. This foundation allows the romance to feel earned, moving past the usual “partner-to-lover” tropes with the maturity of two adults who already know and trust each other implicitly.
The Challenge Ahead: Long-Distance Law Enforcement
Danny’s move to Boston is catalyzed by a family emergency involving his son, Sean. While this anchors him in Beantown and introduces him to the Silver family—the new law enforcement dynasty at the heart of the show—it immediately transforms his new romance with Baez into a long-distance relationship.
This geographical separation provides a compelling new layer of drama for Danny. As he partners with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green) in Boston and navigates the challenges of the new city, he must also commit to maintaining a relationship with Baez, who remains a detective in the NYPD.
Ramirez expressed optimism about their chances, suggesting their history is strong enough to weather the distance. “After over more than a 10-year-long friendship, they can adjust and shift and see what happens,” the actress commented. “I think they’re both mature enough to handle it.”
The showrunners confirmed that the long-distance dynamic will be a key storyline, mirroring the real-life struggles many face: “They will try,” an executive producer stated, adding a personal anecdote about a successful long-distance relationship.
The Possibility of Future Cameos
Though she is not a series regular in Boston Blue, Marisa Ramirez’s appearance in the pilot was not a one-off goodbye. The actress has already guest-starred in an upcoming episode, confirming that the storyline of Danny and Baez’s romance will continue to be woven into the fabric of the spin-off.
Her willingness to reprise the role, even in a guest capacity, was sealed by a personal phone call from Wahlberg, who was reportedly generous about ensuring she was comfortable with returning and continuing their storyline.
The use of Baez as a recurring character not only provides fans with the satisfaction of seeing the romance unfold but also serves as a crucial emotional anchor for Danny Reagan in his new environment. Her appearances will undoubtedly pull Danny between his loyalty to his old life in New York and his commitment to his son and new challenges in Boston.
The strategic confirmation of the Danny and Baez romance through Marisa Ramirez’s cameo in Boston Blue proves that the new series is keenly aware of its legacy. It’s a payoff to a decade of fan speculation, providing a hopeful and mature chapter for a beloved character, while successfully integrating the past into the promise of a long and compelling future.
