Donnie Wahlberg finally realizes his dream of filming in his beloved hometown of Boston with the new CBS spinoff, Boston Blue, where he reprises his role as NYPD Detective Danny Reagan—with the ironic catch of playing a die-hard New Yorker in the heart of Beantown.
For years, actor and New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg harbored a dream: to film a television series in his cherished hometown of Boston. This dream has now become a reality with the launch of Boston Blue, a new CBS procedural drama. However, there’s a significant twist that immerses Wahlberg directly into one of America’s most enduring rivalries: he’s playing a New Yorker in the heart of Boston.
The Genesis of ‘Boston Blue’: A Legacy Continues
Boston Blue is a highly anticipated spinoff of the beloved Tom Selleck-led series, Blue Bloods, which captivated audiences for 14 seasons until its conclusion in 2024. Wahlberg transplants his iconic character, Danny Reagan, an NYPD detective, from the Big Apple to Boston following a family tragedy. This move sets the stage for a compelling “fish-out-of-water” narrative as Danny navigates new professional and personal landscapes.
Wahlberg expresses both excitement and a profound sense of responsibility in continuing Danny Reagan’s journey. “To be able to carry on the character of Danny Reagan is a tremendously exciting opportunity with a ton of responsibility and pressure,” he shared. The show’s creators, Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis, who were long-time fans of Blue Bloods, crafted the spinoff to maintain the original’s successful blend of procedural drama and rich family dynamics. Sonnier perfectly encapsulates their vision: “I love a good procedural. I love good family drama. When you get a family drama that is dressed up like a procedural, I’m in.”
Danny Reagan’s New Chapter: A Fish Out of Water
The core tension of Boston Blue revolves around Danny Reagan’s struggle to adapt to Boston while holding onto his New York identity. As a proud Boston native and a die-hard Red Sox fan, Wahlberg faces the ironic challenge of portraying a character who is intensely loyal to New York. He admits, “I loved New York for 14 years working there. I loved it so much. But I would never root for any of the New York teams. I’ve never stopped being a Boston fan. Still die hard, still loyal to the end.”
This personal conflict plays out humorously on screen. In one notable episode, Danny visits Fenway Park, the iconic home of the Red Sox, but he’s there as a Mets fan—a detail that delighted co-creator Brandon Margolis, who is also a Mets supporter. The series promises to explore how Danny, despite his strong allegiances, might eventually soften his stance on Boston, allowing him to “see the beauty of Boston that really you can only see by being there.”
Meet Boston’s New Law Enforcement Family
Just as the Reagan family formed the heart of Blue Bloods, Boston Blue introduces a new, extended law enforcement family that Danny befriends. This diverse, multi-generational, multifaith, and multiracial family provides Danny with a new support system and different perspectives. Leading the local contingent is Detective Lena Silver, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, whose own family is deeply embedded in Boston’s justice system. Her mother serves as the district attorney, her sister is the police superintendent, and her brother is a beat cop.
The ensemble cast further enriches this family dynamic:
- Ernie Hudson as a Baptist minister and the patriarch of the cop family.
- Gloria Reuben as his daughter, the district attorney.
- Marcus Scribner as her son.
- Maggie Lawson as the police superintendent.
The pilot also features a special appearance by Bridget Moynahan, reprising her role as Danny Reagan’s on-screen sister, linking the new series directly to its predecessor. In a familiar echo of Blue Bloods, family dinners at the Boston household become a crucial setting for discussing cases and thrashing out complex issues of the week, much like the iconic Reagan family Sunday meals, as noted by Associated Press.
The Iconic New York-Boston Rivalry On-Screen
The show cleverly plays on the ingrained rivalry between New York and Boston, a cultural touchstone that resonates deeply with fans. This dynamic is personified in the banter between Danny and Lena; she playfully calls him “Brooklyn,” while he refers to her as “Beantown.” Martin-Green teases him with lines like, “Pretty far from New York, aren’t you?” to which Danny confidently retorts, “Trust me. I’ve done this once or twice before.”
Wahlberg, being from Boston, understands the importance of authentic representation. He feels the “responsibility and pressure” not only to continue the Reagan family legacy but also to depict Boston accurately. Recalling a past cinematic experience, he quipped, “I’m from Boston. I saw ‘The Departed,’ and if I heard one more bad accent in that movie, I was going to walk out of the movie theater.” This commitment ensures that Boston Blue aims for a portrayal that respects the city and its culture.
Beyond the Badge: Themes of Family, Faith, and Tradition
Beyond the procedural elements, Boston Blue is deeply rooted in the themes that made Blue Bloods a success: family, faith, tradition, and the unique challenges faced by law enforcement families. Wahlberg highlighted these as key motivations for doing the show. “With ‘Blue Bloods’ going away, I didn’t think that should be the end of those stories being told,” he stated, emphasizing the universality of these narratives across different cities and backgrounds.
The series will continue to explore complex issues, from racial profiling software to effective leadership, through the lens of its diverse characters and their perspectives. These conversations, driven by the varying viewpoints of different generations, races, and genders within the family, are designed to be “incredible,” according to Sonnier, who modeled the family after his own diverse background. The continuation of these vital themes ensures that Boston Blue resonates with viewers who value meaningful storytelling alongside crime-solving, as detailed by Associated Press.
Conclusion: A New Chapter with Familiar Heart
Boston Blue offers fans an exciting new chapter for a beloved character while introducing a fresh setting and cast. It’s a series designed to entertain with its procedural aspects and engage with its deeply personal family drama, all set against the backdrop of one of America’s most storied cities. Donnie Wahlberg’s dedication to both his character and his hometown ensures an authentic and compelling viewing experience, cementing the show’s place as a worthy successor to the Blue Bloods legacy, as widely reported by entertainment news outlets like Variety.
