The end of Blue Bloods is officially here, with the first of the final eight episodes airing this Friday at 10/9c on CBS.
In the premiere episode, “Life Sentence,” Erin (Bridget Moynahan) faces allegations of jury tampering that connect with Danny and Baez’s (Donnie Wahlberg and Marisa Ramirez) homicide investigation, while Eddie (Vanessa Ray) forges a connection with a child murder witness. Meanwhile, Frank (Tom Selleck) finds himself in a heated debate with his confidant, Archbishop Kearns (Stacy Keach), regarding the death penalty. Jamie (Will Estes) teams up with his nephew Joe Hill (Will Hochman) after his car is stolen.
In an interview with TVLine, showrunner Kevin Wade shared insights about the show’s farewell season and the journey towards the series finale.
TVLINE: Are you feeling emotional as you wrap up the final episodes?
KEVIN WADE: It’s bittersweet. For the final-season DVD, we recorded a wonderful 45-minute behind-the-scenes feature. Watching it felt like a high school graduation—bittersweet but beautiful, a lovely record of our time together.
TVLINE: How many episodes do you have left?
KEVIN WADE: We have eight episodes remaining, starting this Friday, October 18, with the series finale set for early December.
TVLINE: Was the decision to split the final 18 episodes influenced by CBS scheduling?
KEVIN WADE: Yes, CBS made the call. Typically, shows get a final season order of 10 to 12 episodes, but we pushed for 18, which they graciously approved. This led to a split season of 10 and 8 episodes, which worked better for scheduling.
TVLINE: Did you have a series finale in mind as the show progressed?
KEVIN WADE: Definitely. After 14 years, it’s natural to consider the end. I often discussed ideas with my colleagues, especially with longtime executive producer Siobhan Byrne O’Connor. I revisited the finales of iconic shows like MASH*, Cheers, and The Sopranos to draw inspiration and understand what makes a memorable conclusion.
As Blue Bloods enters its final chapter, fans can expect emotional moments, surprising returns, and a fitting farewell to a beloved series.
