After fourteen seasons of embodying the Reagan family patriarch Henry on CBS’s Blue Bloods, Len Cariou wrapped his final day on set under unconventional and poignant circumstances. The last day, which took place on a somber funeral set rather than the family’s familiar home, brought a bittersweet end to his 13-year journey. Reflecting on that day, Cariou shared the complexity of saying goodbye in a way that was understated yet impactful.
“It was pretty bittersweet,” Cariou told TV Insider. “The last scene, of course, was at a funeral, and so we weren’t even in the house the day that we wrapped it up.” This setting, so far from the warmth and familiarity of the Reagan family dining table where countless episodes unfolded, was fittingly melancholy. Cariou’s last day was also shared by several other cast members, including Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, and Steve Schirripa, each of whom had been integral to Blue Bloods since the start.
Cariou, now 85, has been part of Blue Bloods since its premiere in 2010, bringing depth and gravitas to the character of Henry Reagan, the retired NYPD commissioner and grandfather of the Reagan clan. Through Henry, Cariou portrayed both wisdom and wit, embodying the Reagan family’s resilience and dedication to public service. His final day on set, however, felt almost like any other day—filled with the ordinary business of television production. “So we said, OK, that’s over and done with, and we’ll stay in touch if we can,” he shared, reflecting on the emotional complexity of filming that final scene.
Despite the subdued farewell, the Blue Bloods family found a way to reunite soon after for the press events leading up to the release of the second half of Season 14. Cariou recounted the emotional experience of seeing his fellow cast members again, describing it as “bittersweet.” Reuniting with the entire cast reminded him of the strong bonds they had formed and made it all the more difficult to fully say goodbye.
Tom Selleck, who played Cariou’s son Frank Reagan, echoed Cariou’s sentiments. Known for his role as the patriarch of the Reagan family both on and off the screen, Selleck expressed the pride he felt in the strength and cohesiveness of the cast. He reflected on the mutual respect and close ties that developed among the actors, a rarity in the industry. “There isn’t a single one of them who didn’t want to come back. Most shows don’t end that way,” Selleck said.
As Blue Bloods concludes, fans can take solace in the fact that the show’s cast shared a genuine connection, both on and off-screen. For fans who have spent over a decade with the Reagans, these final episodes carry a weight that extends beyond plotlines. The bond between the actors and their characters has always been at the heart of Blue Bloods, and with Cariou’s farewell, the show’s closing chapter is sure to be a touching tribute to the family the cast and crew created.
As Blue Bloods airs its final episodes, audiences will witness the fate of the Reagan family and, symbolically, the end of a legacy that has been celebrated for its portrayal of family, loyalty, and resilience. While Cariou, Selleck, and their castmates have said their goodbyes on set, the Reagan family’s impact will live on in the hearts of viewers. Blue Bloods may be ending, but its influence on television and its fans will endure as a lasting legacy of family-centered storytelling.
