Donnie Wahlberg Reflects on Saying Goodbye to 'Blue Bloods' Before Reprising Danny Reagan in Spinoff 'Boston Blue'

The actor had to come to terms with the end of the long-running police drama before jumping into a new chapter for his character.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 5:37pm

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After 14 seasons, the hit CBS drama 'Blue Bloods' came to an end in 2024, leaving Donnie Wahlberg, who played Detective Danny Reagan, devastated. Wahlberg fought hard to keep the show going, but ultimately had to say goodbye to the character and the cast he had worked with for over a decade. However, the opportunity to reprise Danny in the new spinoff series 'Boston Blue' soon arose, forcing Wahlberg to reevaluate his decision to let go of the role. With the help of the show's creators, Wahlberg was able to find an authentic way to transition Danny to Boston, making it a 'plausible' move for the character.

Why it matters

The cancellation of 'Blue Bloods' after 14 seasons was a major disappointment for both the cast and the show's loyal fanbase. Wahlberg's emotional investment in the character of Danny Reagan and his efforts to keep the series going highlight the deep connection actors can form with their long-running roles. The opportunity to continue Danny's story in a spinoff series allowed Wahlberg to revisit the character, but also required him to reconcile with the end of the original show.

The details

After it was announced that 'Blue Bloods' would be ending, Wahlberg was among those who campaigned for the show to continue, admitting he was devastated by the decision. 'Nobody was more disappointed than me. Nobody cried more than me. Nobody's heart was broken more than mine,' he said. Wahlberg had even previously floated the idea of Danny going 'somewhere totally different, far away,' which ended up being the premise for 'Boston Blue.' When the spinoff opportunity arose, Wahlberg had to 'reevaluate' and 'let go of Danny Reagan and Blue Bloods' before ultimately deciding to reprise the role. Working with the show's creators helped Wahlberg find a way to authentically transition Danny to Boston and make him 'a fish out of water' in the new setting.

  • Blue Bloods wrapped in the summer of 2024, with the series finale airing that December.
  • Boston Blue's midseason premiere airs Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

The players

Donnie Wahlberg

An American actor, singer, and producer best known for his role as Detective Danny Reagan on the long-running CBS drama 'Blue Bloods.'

Brandon Margolis

One of the creators of the 'Blue Bloods' spinoff series 'Boston Blue.'

Brandon Sonnier

One of the creators of the 'Blue Bloods' spinoff series 'Boston Blue.'

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What they’re saying

“I can assure every viewer out there that nobody was more disappointed than me. Nobody cried more than me. Nobody's heart was broken more than mine. I fought tooth and nail to save Blue Bloods. I did everything I could.”

— Donnie Wahlberg, Actor

“I used to throw the idea around of Danny going somewhere totally different, far away.”

— Donnie Wahlberg, Actor

“I had to go through the process of saying goodbye to our crew and the cast and reconciling the fact that [Blue Bloods] could now be in my rearview mirror. I had to let go of Danny Reagan and Blue Bloods. So when this came along, I had to reevaluate. It wasn't just a snap decision.”

— Donnie Wahlberg, Actor

“It became an easier decision as I got to work on the pilot script with the Brandons [creators Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier]. I found ways to make it authentic to Danny, make it plausible that he would go to Boston, and find ways to really make Danny a fish out of water.”

— Donnie Wahlberg, Actor

What’s next

Boston Blue's midseason premiere airs Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, and episodes can also be streamed next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

The takeaway

Donnie Wahlberg's emotional journey of saying goodbye to his long-running role as Detective Danny Reagan on 'Blue Bloods' and then embracing the opportunity to reprise the character in the spinoff series 'Boston Blue' highlights the deep connection actors can form with their iconic TV roles, and the challenges they face when those stories come to an end.