The final scene of the last Blue Bloods family dinner in late 2024 was bittersweet for millions of fans. While the series ended a remarkably successful 14-season run, the feeling among the cast and audience was that the show was canceled too soon. Leading the charge against the network’s decision was none other than the patriarch, Tom Selleck, who plays the formidable Police Commissioner Frank Reagan.
Selleck was outspoken, publicly expressing his frustration and stating that the show was “taken for granted” despite its consistently high ratings. He even teased that he didn’t believe there was an “end point” to the story.
Given this history of disappointment with the network, many fans approached the news of the spin-off, Boston Blue (starring Donnie Wahlberg as Detective Danny Reagan), with a healthy dose of skepticism. Did Selleck view the new series as a betrayal of the original’s legacy, or worse, a simple corporate cost-cutting measure?
According to his on-screen son, Donnie Wahlberg, the answer is unequivocally positive: Tom Selleck is “very supportive” of the new show, providing his blessing to Wahlberg as he embarked on the spin-off adventure.
The Cancellation Outrage: Why Selleck Spoke Out
To understand Selleck’s support for Boston Blue, one must first recall his genuine disappointment with CBS over the original show’s cancellation. Blue Bloods was a consistent Friday night ratings winner, a fact Selleck repeatedly highlighted in interviews.
Selleck’s public comments were not just standard Hollywood rhetoric; they were a heartfelt defense of a show and a cast he deeply cherished. He argued that the network was letting go of a “wildly successful” and still creatively strong series, a decision that felt more motivated by financial or scheduling concerns than by performance.
“My frustration is the show was always taken for granted because it performed from the get-go,” Selleck told TV Insider near the show’s end. He was heartbroken not just for himself, but for his “family of actors” and the crew who were suddenly out of a job.
This context is crucial: Selleck’s “calling out CBS” was about the premature ending of Blue Bloods, not an opposition to the Blue Bloods universe itself. The fact that the spin-off was announced after the original series was already concluded provided an acceptable way for the Reagan legacy to continue.
Selleck’s Support: “He’s Been Very Supportive”
When Donnie Wahlberg made the decision to transition his character, Danny Reagan, from the NYPD to the Boston Police Department (BPD), he knew he needed the blessing of his TV father.
Wahlberg recently shared with Parade the details of those crucial conversations:
“Of course, I spoke to Tom the minute I was deciding if this was something I was going to do… and I can’t really get into the details of those conversations, but he’s been very supportive,” Wahlberg confirmed.
This private conversation signifies a few key things:
- Mutual Respect: The decades-long professional and personal bond between Wahlberg and Selleck remains strong. Selleck trusts Wahlberg’s vision for continuing the story of the Reagan family.
- Legacy Preservation: Selleck’s primary interest is the integrity of the characters and the themes of faith, family, and public service. Wahlberg, who also serves as an Executive Producer on Boston Blue, clearly made a case that the spin-off would honor this legacy. The show’s focus on Danny relocating to Boston to be near his injured son, Sean Reagan (Mika Amonsen), is a storyline deeply rooted in the Reagan family’s core values.
- A Soft Landing: While Selleck would have preferred a Season 15 of the original show, Boston Blue offers a path for the cherished characters to live on, providing a sense of closure and continuation for the dedicated fanbase.
The Million-Dollar Question: Will Frank Reagan Make a Cameo?
The premiere of Boston Blue already established the continuing presence of the New York Reagans, featuring a surprise cameo from Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) and confirming that Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) is a recurring part of Danny’s life.
But the ultimate wish for every fan is to see Frank Reagan cross state lines and join the dinner table in Boston.
Donnie Wahlberg is clearly eager for that reunion. He framed the possibility of a Selleck cameo entirely around the story and the material, adhering to the standards Selleck set for his own appearances:
“I can say, would I love for Tom to come up to Boston? Sure. Or would I love Danny to go to New York and visit Frank? Absolutely, yes. Tom’s always going to base his decisions on the work and material, and so yes, of course, I’d love to work with him on the show, and when the time comes, we will hopefully craft an idea that moves his heart and makes him want to do it.”
This statement sets a high bar, suggesting that Selleck won’t appear merely for a cheap stunt. It would need to be a major, emotionally resonant storyline to draw the New York Police Commissioner away from his duties. Given that Frank’s power and influence were already referenced in the Boston Blue pilot—with Danny leveraging his father’s reputation to get clearance for the case—the door is wide open for a logical, impactful appearance.
Preserving the Universe: The Way Forward
Tom Selleck’s initial outrage over the cancellation and his subsequent support for the spin-off paint a complex picture: he fought passionately for the original show’s survival, but when that fight was lost, he championed the continuation of the Reagan family’s narrative in a new format.
The success of Boston Blue hinges on its ability to feel like a true extension of the universe, not a replacement. By keeping the ties strong—and with the promise of more familiar faces—it is effectively doing just that. Selleck’s seal of approval, even from a distance, is arguably the most important endorsement the new series could receive. It validates the spin-off as a genuine tribute to the legacy he helped build, rather than a cynical cash grab.
For fans, the wait continues for the day when Frank Reagan might surprise his son with a visit to Beantown. Until then, knowing that the former star is supportive and that the opportunity is available is enough to fuel hopes for the ultimate Reagan family reunion.
