For over a decade, the Reagan family dinner was more than just a scene in a TV show; it was a cultural institution. The final season of Blue Bloods ended that tradition, leaving fans to wonder what was next for the beloved clan. Now, thanks to Donnie Wahlberg, the door to the Reagan family’s future has been flung wide open. Wahlberg’s new show, Boston Blue, will follow his character Danny Reagan as he moves to the titular city, and the actor has already confirmed that the Reagan family will be a part of his new world. In a series of recent interviews, Wahlberg has confirmed that the show is a direct spin-off and that fans can expect to see familiar faces from the original series.
The show is set to premiere on CBS on October 17, 2025, taking over Blue Bloods‘s old Friday night time slot. The series will follow Danny as he navigates his new life as a detective with the Boston Police Department, but with a major difference: he’s a “fish out of water” in a city with its own rich history and its own “blue blood” families. The show will introduce a new ensemble cast, including Sonequa Martin-Green as his new partner, Lena Silver, a detective from a prominent Boston law enforcement family. But the show won’t forget its roots. Wahlberg has made it clear that the Reagan family is a central part of Danny’s identity, and the show will honor that legacy with a series of major guest appearances.
A Reagan in Boston: The New Frontier for Danny
The show’s premise is simple but powerful: After a long career with the NYPD, Detective Danny Reagan makes a life-changing move to Boston. The reason for his move is still a bit of a mystery, but one thing is clear: he’s not alone. The series will also feature a recast Sean Reagan, Danny’s youngest son, who is also a police officer in Boston. This immediately establishes a family connection in his new life, but fans are still asking about the rest of the Reagan clan.
The move to Boston is a bold new chapter for Danny. He will have to learn a new city, a new police department, and a new way of doing things. He is no longer the hot-headed detective who knows every corner of New York City; he is an outsider who has to prove himself all over again. This new frontier provides a rich opportunity for character development and for a new kind of drama that is more grounded and less reliant on the established tropes of the original series.
The Family Connection: A Crossover is Inevitable
The biggest question on every fan’s mind is whether the rest of the Reagan family will visit Danny in Boston. While the show’s premise is about Danny’s new life, Donnie Wahlberg has made it clear that a crossover is inevitable. He has openly discussed the possibility of his former co-stars appearing on the new show, and he has confirmed that Bridget Moynahan‘s character, Erin Reagan-Boyle, will appear in the series premiere.
In an interview with Collider, Wahlberg was quoted as saying, “You can’t have Danny without Reagans.” He also said that the show will have “connective tissue to the old family,” and that his character will “never be just Danny.” He has hinted at a series of guest appearances from his former castmates, stating that he has invited Will Hochman (Joe Hill) to “come visit his uncle on set.” This is a clear sign that the show’s writers are not going to leave the Reagans in the rearview mirror.
The show will find a way to honor the Reagan family legacy, and a crossover with Danny’s siblings, Jamie Reagan (Will Estes) and Erin Reagan-Boyle, would be a massive event for fans. It would allow the show to explore new dynamics and to bring a sense of continuity to the Blue Bloods universe.
The Emotional Stakes of a Reunion
A Reagan family reunion on Boston Blue would be more than just a gimmick; it would be a major emotional event. The relationship between Danny and his family, particularly with his father, Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), was always at the heart of the original series. A visit from Frank, a man who lives and breathes New York City, would be a profound moment. It would force them to confront their new reality and to explore the themes of family, loyalty, and legacy in a new light.
The show’s producers have an opportunity to create a new kind of family dynamic in Boston Blue, with Danny’s new life intersecting with the lives of the Boston “blue bloods” family. The crossover would be a way to show how the Reagan family’s values and traditions can be passed down to a new generation and a new city.
The Future of the Universe
The new show is not just a spin-off; it is a “universe expansion,” a direct effort by CBS to keep the Blue Bloods brand alive. The show’s success will determine whether the network is willing to invest in more spin-offs and crossovers in the future. If Boston Blue is a hit, it could open the door for a franchise that could last for decades to come.
Wahlberg’s comments are a clear sign that the show’s writers are not afraid to take risks and that they are committed to delivering a show that is both entertaining and emotionally compelling. The show has a chance to honor the legacy of Blue Bloods while also creating a new and exciting narrative for the future. The question is not whether the Reagans will visit Danny in Boston, but when.
