‘New York and Boston Are Really Close’: Donnie Wahlberg Teases Returning Characters in Blue Bloods Offshoot

Donnie Wahlberg explained Danny Reagan’s continuing arc in Boston Blue. He also had great news for Blue Bloods fans hoping to see a family reunion in the offshoot.

Danny Reagan may be starting over in Boston Blue, but he’s not flying solo. Speaking to Parade, Donnie Wahlberg hinted at guest appearances from the Blue Bloods cast in the offshoot. Asked if Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan would occasionally check in on Danny, in person or via FaceTime calls, Wahlberg said fans can also expect even more Reagan family cameos. “New York and Boston are really close. They’re not that far apart,” he explained. “You covered a lot of possible ways for people to drop in on us.”

Boston Blue‘s initial storyline will have to explain why Danny would leave the NYPD and relocate to Boston. The Reagans have been serving the city of New York for four generations; it’s their heritage and calling. Wahlberg dismissed the possibility of internal conflict, but heavily hinted at Danny’s motivation. “I can’t give you the exact reason why today, because that would be a big spoiler,” he said. “But as family-oriented as Danny is, he’s also always marched to the beat of his own drum. I think those two things can be true at the same time.”

Danny Reagan Joins A New Police Family In Boston Blue

Wahlberg will lead Boston Blue‘s new ensemble, co-starring with Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Gloria Reuben (ER), Marcus Scribner (Black-ish), and Maggie Lawson (Psych). The show sees Danny taking a position in the Boston PD, partnering with Lena Silver (Martin-Green), the eldest daughter of an esteemed police family. It’s yet to be confirmed if there’s going to be a romantic arc for them, or if Danny has recovered enough from Linda’s death to entertain the possibility.

“It’s going to be a journey and a process for him,” Wahlberg asserted. “He’s with the audience who says, ‘I can’t imagine Danny would move to Boston,’ well, neither can he. He’s with you. He’s going to have to figure this out because it’s a dramatic life change.” That could mean Boston Blue‘s premiere sees Danny still in New York with the family. The Reagans are so tight-knit, so there’s separation anxiety. The sendoff would also ease Blue Bloods fans into Danny’s separate story.

“I’ll just say the journey of developing this show, it’s really fun letting Danny be a fish out of water to be in this new world,” Wahlberg continued. “It’s also important to remember where he comes from and what the Blue Bloods legacy is. We’re keeping all of that at the forefront of our thoughts as we build this thing.”

Boston Blue premieres this fall on CBS. Blue Bloods is streaming on CBS and Paramount+.