As anticipation begins to rise for the upcoming Blue Bloods spin-off, Boston Blue, the show’s production remains ongoing. After years of declining ratings, partly driven by the streaming era, CBS determined that the original series was no longer worth keeping on its network. After 14 seasons from 2010 to 2025, it was officially canceled and concluded with season 14, episode 18, “End of Tour”. Most of the cast, including Tom Selleck (Frank Reagan), Will Estes (Jamie Reagan), and Bridget Moynahan (Erin Reagan), were forced to say goodbye to the show and their characters. One actor, however, was able to retain his role in a new city.
Donnie Wahlberg (Danny Reagan) will be the leading man for the show’s spin-off, which will be set in Boston, as the name implies. Leaving the Reagan family behind, Danny will join a new police force, only to encounter an all-new family of law enforcement officers and agents of justice. For most of the actors, it means the end of a decade-long saga, but Wahlberg will have the opportunity to headline the show in his own right. It will also mean lower costs for CBS, as both the setting and the cast should be less expensive. While likely cheaper, the new cast does have one major star attached, and he could be exactly what this controversial series needs.
The Blue Bloods Spin-Off Has Been Divisive
Not Everyone Wants Boston Blue
While the wait for Boston Blue is ongoing, the show has already been divisive, given that Blue Bloods needed to die before it could be born. The original cast has spoken out about the cancellation, with Selleck frequently speaking out against CBS’s decision. Even Donnie Wahlberg, who will still be employed while the rest of the cast looks for new work, stated that he “couldn’t turn off the tears for another probably two days!” after filming the final dinner table scene. Selleck reportedly gave a touching speech to the entire cast and crew, in which he read Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Love Is Not All” poem to express his undying respect for them all.
This follow-up series will not feature the Reagan family in any substantial way, which makes it difficult to get excited about it.
Loyal viewers also spoke out against the cancellation, as over 30,000 people signed a Change.org petition to bring the show back from the brink. The show also saw a small increase in viewership throughout the final season, despite a small lull in the middle of the season. Unfortunately, the petition and the changing ratings failed to change CBS’s mind, and the show did officially come to an end. Boston Blue could be a means of bringing back some of what made the show great, though the entire Reagan family will not be returning to see the sequel show.
Given that the Reagan family is the most important part of the Blue Bloods universe, it is only natural that anyone would be reticent about a sequel show that does not actually include them. Danny is a brilliant character, and Donnie Wahlberg has become a face of the franchise as much as Selleck is, but the purpose of Blue Bloods was to focus on the entire family. Selleck rightfully believed that the family dinner scenes were the key to the show’s success. This follow-up series will not feature the Reagan family in any substantial way, which makes it difficult to get excited about it. After all, any series that does not feature the Reagan family in depth is hardly Blue Bloods in the first place, even if one member of the cast is involved.
Frank Reagan Will Not Be in Boston Blue
Danny Is Leaving New York Behind
The most essential missing piece will be Frank Reagan himself. Selleck was involved in the show since season 1, and he was a massive part of every element of the show’s marketing. Having starred in Magnum, P.I., Boston Legal, and Las Vegas, he was easily the most seasoned actor on the cast when the series first premiered. Serving as the family patriarch, nearly every family dinner saw him sitting at the head of the table, guiding discussion and attempting to ensure that his family remained a cohesive unit. No matter how much conflict existed, nor what horrors went on outside of his home, Frank was always working diligently to keep the Reagans together. Selleck won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for his work as Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I., which originally ran from 1980 to 1988.
Tragically, though the final episode offered a happy ending for the Reagan family, the spin-off means that his mission failed. Danny will be leaving New York City for Boston, and the rest of the family is not expected to appear in anything more than cameo roles. Despite having starred in Boston Legal, Selleck will not have a major role in this other Boston-focused show. Other spin-off ideas for Blue Bloods could have maintained the themes of the series, but this exit means that the close-knit bond between the Reagans apparently unraveled. Without Frank Reagan in the story, it is difficult to see how Boston Blue can truly be a worthy successor.
Ernie Hudson Is the Perfect Tom Selleck Replacement
He Could Make Boston Blue Successful
Despite losing Selleck, the show does seem to have found a suitable replacement in another seasoned actor. Ernie Hudson is poised to play Reverend Peters, the grandfather of deuteragonist Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green). Peters will serve as the patriarch of Boston’s own law enforcement family, and it will be his responsibility to welcome Danny into the Boston Police Department’s complicated narrative. It will be the same role that Selleck played, though the character’s background as a pastor will be a sharp change from Frank Reagan’s role as the NYPD Commissioner. If someone had to replace Tom Selleck, Ernie Hudson is a surprising but perfect pick.
If anyone could handle the role, it should be Hudson, who has already been the face of legendary productions. Hudson broke into prominence as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise, which became shockingly successful in 1984. He has since appeared in several other Ghostbusters productions, including Ghostbusters II (1989), the Ghostbusters reboot (2026), and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). Outside of that renowned series of movies, he also appeared in Miss Congeniality (2000), The Crow (1994), and the upcoming Toy Story 5 (2026). He has also starred in several TV shows, including Oz, 10-8: Officers on Duty, and APB.
Hudson’s experience with procedurals will be an extraordinary help, as will his pre-existing fame. He has already proven that he can handle the spotlight with apparent ease, and he should be able to easily translate his talents to Boston Blue. If someone had to replace Tom Selleck, Ernie Hudson is a surprising but perfect pick. His inclusion is an early hint that the show is prepared to cast an extraordinary group of actors who could rival the original Blue Bloods stars. It will be difficult to match the chemistry between the Reagans, but Hudson’s casting means CBS is certainly willing to try, and that means that there is finally something to be excited about.
