I’m Worried This 1 Donnie Wahlberg Demand Might Ruin the Blue Bloods Spinoff

Donnie Wahlberg (Danny Reagan) is currently in development of Blue Bloods‘ spin-off and successor, the upcoming show Boston Blue. Wahlberg will star alongside Sonequa Martin-Green (Lena Silver), Ernie Hudson (Reverend Peters), Maggie Lawson (Sarah Silver) and other exceptional actors. While the Reagan family is not expected to feature prominently, it will be represented by Wahlberg as he moves from New York City to Boston. He is still likely to be involved in law enforcement in his new stomping grounds, but he will leave his family behind him. After hundreds of episodes featuring the Reagan family sitting around the dinner table, it is a painful loss and represents a major change for the franchise.

Yet, for all that CBS is looking to move on from the surprising success that was Blue Bloods, there will still be major ties between the shows. Danny’s presence alone is significant, but the show should also feature the patriarchal connection that always set the franchise apart. Even if he reprises his role, Wahlberg is hoping to see an even stronger connection between Blue Bloods and Boston Blue. Unfortunately, if he achieves his goal, it would likely be nothing but a hindrance to his new series.

Blue Bloods’ Cancellation Was Controversial

The Show Remains Highly Respected

After 14 seasons on air, Blue Bloods came to an unfortunate end. Season 14, episode 18, “End of Tour” served as the final outing for a show that has been dominant on CBS since it first premiered in 2010. The show’s intense connection to New York City and a single law enforcement family helped to set it apart from other procedurals, which was enough to mass a substantial viewer base. After peaking at an average of 14 million viewers for season 7, however, the rise of streaming platforms began its slow descent. By the beginning of the 2020s, the show dipped below 10 million average viewers for the first time, which was not enough for CBS.

Though the Blue Bloods cast elected to accept pay cuts to film season 14, CBS elected to avoid renewing the series. It was a controversial decision, as Tom Selleck (Frank Reagan) argued against the cancellation and repeatedly emphasized that it was a mistake. Selleck emphasized he was “kind of frustrated” with the decision and the idea that the show was never prioritized by CBS, despite routinely drawing high viewership and a loyal audience. Regardless of his complaints, CBS stood by the cancellation, and the spin-off will now be the main chance for Blue Bloods characters to return. That, unfortunately, is a major problem that Boston Blue is facing.

Wahlberg Wants a Major Blue Bloods Star To Return

He Wouldn’t Be the Only Blue Bloods Star on Boston Blue

Despite having said goodbye to his beloved series, Donnie Wahlberg is hoping to invite many of his former castmates onto Boston Blue. Cameos are not necessarily surprising, as a family as close-knit as the Reagans would never let Danny leave without keeping in close contact. Given that Boston and New York are only a few hours apart, they would naturally try to visit him whenever possible. Unfortunately, Wahlberg is hoping to see one star return, who truly should not be reappearing, especially in the show’s first season.

Closer Weekly reported that Wahlberg is planning to fight to have Tom Selleck appear in the series. While the report relies on an anonymous source, it emphasized Wahlberg’s respect for Selleck, while also detailing the fact that Selleck is not “leaning on him or demanding anything of him”, but that Wahlberg is fighting simply to stand alongside a man that he “loves working with.” The source emphasized that this is unlikely to be a full-time role, but that Selleck would instead appear in the form of regular cameos. A second insider source hinted Selleck is interested in appearing. Given how close Danny is to Frank, having Selleck appear in the show would make sense.

Selleck’s Return Would Hurt Boston Blue

Tom Selleck Would Risk Overshadowing Ernie Hudson

While Selleck would be a welcome addition to the Boston Blue cast, introducing him risks alienating the new cast members. When audiences can reconnect with old favorites, they have no need to build bonds with new characters who distract from the old. Boston Blue is already beginning its run on the backfoot, because it will be released to an audience that is still upset about the cancellation. This is a follow-up show to a series that ended somewhat prematurely, which is something that the producers are well aware of. Introducing Selleck early-on risks ruining any chance for audiences to look at this as anything more than an unnecessary replacement.

Similarly, it takes away opportunities from the new characters. After recruiting Ghostbusters‘ Ernie Hudson to play the patriarch of the new Boston-based family, it would be a wasted opportunity to return to portraying the pre-existing patriarch. It takes away from his place in the show, and it also removes Danny’s connection with him. Instead of developing into a new family, Danny will be able to return to Frank whenever he likes, which strips some of the tension.

If Danny is going to make his way in the world alone, then he needs to actually be alone. Recurring cameos would strip that theme completely. The Blue Bloods spin-off is already controversial, because it is replacing a beloved series that did not need to end. Bringing Selleck back this soon risks the question of why the show was canceled at all. If Frank appears in Boston consistently, then he is abandoning his duty to New York City. If he appears by phone consistently, then there is no reason to star Danny in his own show at all.

After all, Frank regularly appearing means that Danny will never have the opportunity to influence a city without his help. He already benefited from being Frank’s son in the original show, as it helped him to build connections in the police force, and this series would simply retread those grounds. As much as Selleck is an amazing actor and a beloved part of Blue Bloods, Boston Blue needs to stand on its own for a season or two, or it might as well have been Blue Bloods season 15, which CBS did not want.