It came as quite a surprise.
Donnie Wahlberg shared his reasons for diving into the new “Blue Bloods” spinoff, titled “Boston Blue,” following the original show’s conclusion last year after a remarkable 14 seasons.
During a special screening and Q&A for the premiere episode of “Boston Blue” on Tuesday, October 14, in New York City, Wahlberg, 56, spoke openly about his thought process.
He mentioned that the concept for the spinoff materialized when two ideas collided: one where his character, Danny Reagan, relocates to Texas, and another featuring a new police family in Boston.
“I think they thought, ‘Rather than moving to Texas, why not have him join this project in Boston?'” Wahlberg explained while sharing the stage with co-star Sonequa Martin-Green.
“But honestly, I didn’t expect this to come along so quickly,” he added, noting how he enjoyed listening to “Blue Bloods.”
The actor, known for his role in “Sixth Sense,” initially had reservations about revisiting his character for the spinoff. But as he learned more about the project, his perspective shifted.
“I suddenly found myself asking, ‘Do you really want to do a spinoff?'” he recalled. “Then I realized this idea was impressive, and the script was solid. That made me see how we could integrate the Blue Bloods universe, offering a chance to portray Danny in a new light.”
However, Wahlberg confessed that he wasn’t entirely convinced about “Boston Blue” until he understood the shift in dynamics, particularly with his character’s son, Sean (Mika Ammonsen), also deciding to become a police officer.
“That really changed things,” he said. “There’s an entirely new world unfolding right now.”
“It’s not just about Danny partnering up with someone new; it’s complicated. As a dad, he worries for his son and makes sure he gets home safely while instilling the family values he grew up with,” Wahlberg elaborated.
“Blue Bloods” first premiered on CBS in 2010 and concluded in December 2024 after 14 seasons.
The show featured Wahlberg alongside Tom Selleck (Frank Regan), Will Estes (Jamie Regan), and Bridget Moynahan (Erin Regan-Boyle), showcasing the Reagan family deeply rooted in law enforcement and public service in New York City.
“Boston Blue” is set to debut in February 2025 and will follow Wahlberg’s character as he joins the Boston Police Department and teams up with Lena Silver (Martin Green). The first broadcast is scheduled for Friday, October 17.
Earlier this year, Wahlberg excitedly announced the new series but was cautious not to reveal too much, considering the original show’s devoted fan base.
“This was definitely a challenge, but I kept reassuring myself that if I wanted to keep being part of ‘Blue Bloods,’ this was my shot,” he explained in May.
“What’s important now is how Danny transitions into this new environment, which I can’t discuss in detail, but let’s just say, if he’s President Reagan, he’s not alone. President Reagan is just a call away, and Danny wouldn’t overlook the traditions of his family’s legacy.”
