Imagine being asked to ditch your comfortable, long-term job and dive headfirst into a completely new venture. That's precisely what happened to Donnie Wahlberg, and his initial reaction might surprise you! He recently made an unexpected confession about the Blue Bloods spinoff, Boston Blue, and it involves some serious hesitation.
During a Q&A session in New York City, ahead of a screening of the first episode of Boston Blue, Wahlberg revealed that when the idea of moving his Blue Bloods character, Danny Reagan, to a whole new city was initially pitched, he wasn't exactly thrilled. He was comfortable with his role and the show's established dynamic. He confessed that the spinoff concept arose from two separate ideas that "bumped into" each other. One idea involved relocating Danny to Texas, while the other centered around a family in law enforcement based in Boston, mirroring the Reagan family dynamic.
"I think they were like, 'Hey, instead of moving to Texas, why don't we talk about him joining this thing and moving to Boston?' But I really didn't think that would ever happen anytime soon. I was just chugging along in Blue Bloods," Wahlberg told People. But here's where it gets controversial... Was it simply comfort, or were there deeper concerns about the potential impact on his character's established history and relationships?
The cancellation of Blue Bloods, after a successful 14-season run starring Tom Selleck and other talented actors, reportedly due to budget cuts at CBS, ultimately changed Wahlberg's perspective. Tom Selleck himself expressed frustration with the show's cancellation, highlighting its consistent success. He quipped about how the show was a guaranteed Friday night winner, even when programmed in a less desirable time slot.
"Suddenly it was like, 'Do I really wanna do a spinoff?' I didn't know. And this idea was really good. And the script was really good. I looked at it and I saw the possibilities of weaving Blue Bloods' world into it, and I saw a chance to play Danny in a different way," he explained. The end of the original series forced him to reconsider the possibilities and potential creative growth a spinoff could offer.
Boston Blue, premiering on Friday, October 17th, isn't just about a change of scenery for Danny Reagan. And this is the part most people miss... It also delves into his evolving relationship with his son, Sean, who is now a police officer himself. The show aims to explore the dynamic of Danny not only navigating a new city and partner but also grappling with the anxieties of being a father in law enforcement. He's now responsible for ensuring his son's safety and imparting the wisdom he gained from his own family's legacy.
As Wahlberg puts it, "It's Danny being a dad and worrying about his son, making sure he gets home safe every day and teaching him the job, the way that his family taught him the job." The first episode faces the challenge of simultaneously introducing a new family, justifying Danny's move from New York to Boston, and establishing compelling new characters. Danny's new partner, Lena Silver, is played by Sonequa Martin-Green.
Wahlberg emphasized the importance of creating a believable bond between Danny and Lena from the outset. "To me, one of the most critical parts of it was making a believable bond between Danny and Lena. We're planting seeds. Over the lifetime of a show, you can watch everything grow and evolve, but to make that super interesting right out of the gate, and do it in a way that sets it up going forward, was a big challenge." He acknowledged the difficulty of forging a connection that feels authentic and sets the stage for future development.
So, with Boston Blue set to premiere, the question remains: Can the spinoff capture the same magic that made Blue Bloods a success? Will viewers embrace Danny Reagan's new life and relationships in Boston? And perhaps more importantly, will the show successfully balance the familiar themes of family and law enforcement with fresh, engaging storylines? What do you think, is it a good idea to continue a show with a spinoff? Do you think the magic of the original will be lost, or will this be a refreshing take on a beloved character? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
