Veteran actor Tom Selleck has officially confirmed that he will not reprise his role as Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the new 'Boston Blue' spinoff of the long-running police drama 'Blue Bloods.' The announcement comes after weeks of speculation following the debut of the new series that continues the story of Donnie Wahlberg's character Danny Reagan.
Selleck's Definitive Statement
In a recent interview with Hour Detroit magazine, the 80-year-old actor made his position clear about potentially joining the spinoff series. "I don't know if I would do Boston Blue. That's another show," Selleck stated unequivocally. He elaborated on his reasoning, explaining that while he feels responsible for preserving the legacy of the original series, continuing to play Frank Reagan isn't part of his future plans.
"I think it's partly my lot in life to make sure Blue Bloods has its place in television history, but I don't think it's my lot in life to keep playing Frank Reagan," the Emmy-winning actor told the publication.
Ongoing Disappointment Over Cancellation
Selleck expressed continued frustration about CBS's decision to cancel 'Blue Bloods' after 14 successful seasons. The actor revealed he still feels "huge disappointment" about the series ending, particularly given its strong performance in the ratings.
"When we went off the air, we were the No. 6 show out of 100 on broadcast television," Selleck claimed. "It was actually No. 9, but if you get rid of the football, we were the sixth most popular series in all of television."
The 'Magnum, P.I.' star emphasized the unique working environment on the 'Blue Bloods' set, noting that "everyone was professional and everyone liked each other. That is so rare." His comments echo previous statements where he described feeling "kind of frustrated" about the cancellation of a series that consistently delivered strong ratings for CBS.
Wahlberg's Hopes for Crossovers
Despite Selleck's definitive stance, his television son Donnie Wahlberg had previously expressed optimism about potential crossovers between the original series and the new spinoff. During promotional interviews for 'Boston Blue,' Wahlberg hinted that the geographical proximity between New York and Boston could facilitate character appearances.
"New York and Boston are really close," Wahlberg told Parade magazine in June. "I can say, would I love for Tom to come up to Boston? Sure. Or would I love Danny to go to New York and visit Frank? Absolutely, yes."
Wahlberg had explained that the spinoff emerged from efforts to keep the 'Blue Bloods' universe alive after CBS cancelled the original series in 2023. "This show wasn't an either or. It wasn't like they asked if I wanted to keep doing Blue Bloods or do this," he told Postmedia last month. "Blue Bloods had run its course, and it was in a last-ditch effort to get Blue Bloods back on the air that I discovered the possibility of this show."
What's Next for Boston Blue
The new series, which airs Fridays on CBS and CTV, follows Danny Reagan as he relocates to Boston after his rookie cop son Sean (played by Mika Amonsen) is injured while investigating an arson and murder case. Danny partners with local detective Lena Silver, portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green, and decides to remain in the city.
While Selleck won't be making an appearance, the spinoff has already featured cameos from other 'Blue Bloods' alumni. Both Marisa Ramirez (who played Maria Baez) and Bridget Moynahan (Erin Reagan) have made guest appearances in the new series.
Wahlberg acknowledged that fans still miss the original series but expressed hope that 'Boston Blue' could capture the essence of what made 'Blue Bloods' successful. "The fans of Blue Bloods miss Blue Bloods, but I also know that people miss family, faith and tradition on television already," he told Postmedia. "I had to see this show for what it was. It wasn't the end of Blue Bloods; it was the only path to keeping it alive."
The actor concluded that the spinoff represents an opportunity to "keep the Reagans' storyline alive, but in a new world" while maintaining the core values that defined the original series.
