Blue Bloods was once a dominant show on CBS, and its recent ending came as a surprise and a disappointment. The show could have lasted for many more years giving its popularity. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. The series ends with the family coming together for one last family dinner. It seems brought every major storyline to a close, making for a touching conclusion to a beloved show. While it was disappointing to see it go so soon, the ending was a perfect finale after so many years of crime fighting and family drama.
That was not exactly how the ending went, however. After that touching conclusion, CBS waited a few weeks before it announced a spin-off, led by Donnie Wahlberg’s Detective Danny Reagan. The decision casts the entire ending in doubt, but it also makes the cancellation feel downright pointless. After all, if the conclusion is not a decisive ending, then there was no reason to bring such a beloved show to an end. With so much support behind it, Blue Bloods simply deserved better than this.
Blue Bloods Was Canceled After 14 Seasons
When it first premiered on September 24, 2010, there was no way that anyone involved could have known just how successful the series would become. Wahlberg, Tom Selleck (Frank), Bridget Moynahan (Erin), Will Estes (Jamie), and Len Cariou (Henry) will become a constant presence every fall. The rising salaries were becoming an issue, however, as the show was extremely expensive. For season 14, the Blue Bloods cast even chose to reduce their payments just to ensure that the show could continue. It was too much, however. The final episode aired on December 13, 2024, and drew nearly 7 million viewers through live or same-day viewing, according to a report by Variety.
Blue Bloods earned an 80% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. It did not receive a Tomatometer score.
The cancellation was announced in November 2023, but the cast never accepted that it would be forced to end. Tom Selleck repeatedly defended the show and emphasized that “There’s isn’t a single [star] who didn’t want to come back”. The cast reported also broke down when filming their final scene before the show wrapped. Selleck stated that “There was crying and there was an enormous amount of hugs”. The decision certainly did not blindside the cast and crew, but it certainly disappointed them. After 14 years, saying goodbye was as difficult for them as it was for the viewers. Yet, despite appearances, it was not a true farewell.
The Blue Bloods Spin-Off Was Already Approved
While Blue Bloods is over, Wahlberg will be reprising his role. He is poised to star as the leading man, and he will be leaving the rest of the Reagan family behind. After all, rather than returning to New York City for the spin-off, the next show will take place in Boston. The newly-announced Boston Blue will see Danny working with the Boston Police Department. The show was originally planned as an entirely unrelated project, but the Blue Bloods cancellation gave CBS the perfect opportunity to expand its initial audience. Attaching Wahlberg means that the network can benefit from Blue Bloods’ high ratings, while also avoiding the ever-increasing costs. It seems like a natural decision, even if it will inevitably upset the show’s extremely loyal viewers.
Filming in Boston and eliminating most of the cast should drastically decrease the budget.
Filming in Boston and eliminating most of the cast should drastically decrease the budget. It was a natural decision for CBS, which can benefit from an established property while also resetting its universe. After 14 years of building an expensive and expansive cast, it can be difficult to promote character development without stepping on toes. How can Danny completely develop, for instance, without addressing Frank’s response to it? By sending him to an island, Danny can show who he is without his family there. It will be a breath of fresh air for a franchise that has always focused on the entire Reagan family, rather than one or two stars. Unfortunately, it may be good for CBS, but it is not especially beneficial for audiences. After all, the decision to cancel Blue Bloods at all made absolutely no sense.
