Danny Reagan is officially back but in a new city. Donnie Wahlberg is set to play Danny Reagan again in Boston Blue a new CBS spinoff from Blue Bloods. After playing NYPD Detective Danny Reagan for 14 seasons from 2010 to 2024 Wahlberg is bringing the character to his hometown of Boston for a new chapter. Blue Bloods recently concluded its final season in December but the Reagan family story is set to continue in this exciting new series.
Reports confirm that CBS has given Boston Blue a straight-to-series order for the 2025-2026 season. The show will see Danny Reagan leaving New York City behind to join the Boston Police Department. In Boston Danny will team up with a new partner Detective Lena Peters. Lena is described as the eldest daughter from a well-known family in Boston law enforcement. This new partnership and setting promise a fresh dynamic for Danny Reagan as he navigates new cases and relationships in a different city.
While it is not yet clear if other Blue Bloods cast members like Tom Selleck or Bridget Moynahan will appear in Boston Blue Donnie Wahlberg is taking on a significant role behind the scenes as an executive producer in addition to starring. This is not Wahlberg's first project focused on Boston law enforcement. He previously produced and narrated the reality series Boston's Finest.
February has been a busy month for Wahlberg. He recently appeared in a Dunkin' Super Bowl commercial with Bill Belichick and Jeremy Strong and is also part of an ownership group aiming to bring a WNBA expansion team to Boston.
What The Boston Blue Announcement Means For The Blue Bloods Universe
Danny Reagan Starts a New Chapter Away From The Reagan Family
Boston Blue marks a significant expansion of the Blue Bloods universe. Although Blue Bloods has ended Danny Reagan’s story will continue in Boston. This move allows the character to evolve in a new environment separate from his family in New York. As Donnie Wahlberg mentioned to Variety it would be a "delicate dance" to maintain the family aspect if the show continued in the same format. This spinoff offers a way to keep Danny's character alive while exploring new storylines and relationships outside the established Reagan family dynamic.
News of the spinoff arrives shortly after the emotional conclusion of Blue Bloods. Despite the cast's hopes for renewal CBS decided season 14 would be the last. Tom Selleck and other cast members expressed their desire to continue the show but the network moved forward with ending the series. Donnie Wahlberg shared his emotional reaction to the end of Blue Bloods on social media and in interviews highlighting the close bond with the cast crew and fans.
The creative team behind Boston Blue includes Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis writers from S.W.A.T. They will serve as showrunners and executive producers. Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS Studios are producing the series. This team suggests a focus on police procedural elements similar to Blue Bloods but with a Boston flavor.
Our Take On The Boston Blue Spinoff Series
Boston Blue Offers a Promising Fresh Take on Danny Reagan's Story
Boston Blue is an exciting development for fans who enjoyed Donnie Wahlberg's portrayal of Danny Reagan. Moving the character to Boston offers a chance to explore new stories and challenges. The partnership with Detective Lena Peters adds an intriguing element and the Boston setting provides a distinct backdrop for police drama. While the absence of the Reagan family is a notable change this spinoff has the potential to create its own identity within the Blue Bloods universe.
The decision to give Boston Blue a straight-to-series order indicates CBS's confidence in the project and Donnie Wahlberg's star power. It will be interesting to see how Danny Reagan adapts to Boston PD and how the new characters and storylines develop. Boston Blue could be a successful next chapter for the Blue Bloods franchise bringing familiar elements to a new location and audience.
Sources: bostonglobe.com people.com variety.com