As CBS gears up to air the second half of Blue Bloods‘ final season, Donnie Wahlberg reflects on his 14-year journey with the beloved crime drama and the emotional last day of filming.
Wahlberg’s Emotional Farewell and Career Reflection
Wahlberg, who has portrayed Detective Danny Reagan for the entire series, expressed a mix of sadness and gratitude as he prepared to say goodbye. “I felt tremendous gratitude, not sadness, but everyone was crying,” he shared. “The last day was heartbreaking.”
Though 14 years have passed quickly, Wahlberg noted that it’s also been a long chapter in his life. “It was a lot of emotions,” he said. “In one sense, those years flew by; in another, it’s been 14 significant years of my life.”
Tom Selleck’s Emotional Goodbye
Wahlberg wasn’t alone in feeling the weight of the moment. Tom Selleck, who plays Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, also struggled with the finale and shed tears. Selleck showed up not only for his own final scenes but to support his on-screen family.
“When he shows up to watch you work and say goodbye to everyone, it hits hard,” Wahlberg explained. “I was already emotional filming, and then I looked across the room and saw him—tall and watching from the back corner, tears in his eyes. It was like the floodgates opened.”
Selleck’s Thoughts on the Series Ending
Selleck shared his frustrations about CBS’s decision to end the series, feeling it was often taken for granted despite its success. “I don’t believe in holding grudges… My frustration is that the show was always taken for granted because it performed well from the start. Sorting this out will take time,” he said.
A Bond Built on Mutual Respect
Over the years, Wahlberg and Selleck have developed a close relationship, with Selleck offering valuable insights from his extensive experience in the industry, which dates back to the 1970s. However, Wahlberg emphasized their collaborative dynamic: “We have real conversations. We work together. I don’t show up and say, ‘Tell me what to do, Tom.’ We have a back-and-forth; there’s a process, and he respects what I bring to the table, as I do him.”
As the series approaches its conclusion, both fans and cast members are preparing to say goodbye to the Reagan family, anticipating one last Sunday night dinner scene.
Don’t miss the premiere of Season 14, Part 2—the final season—tonight, October 18, at 10 PM on CBS.
