Blue Bloodsis returning, but not in the way that many hoped it would.CBS has greenlit a spinoff series tentatively titledBoston Blue,which follows Donnie Wahlberg’sBlue Bloodscharacter, Danny Reagan, who moved from New York City to Boston and joined Boston PD following the events of the original show’s finale. So, the CBS police procedural lives on via a sequel series, which is exciting. However, one can’t help but wonder why the network chose to go down this route instead of renewingBlue Bloodsfor a fifteenth season (something many cast members and fans wanted).
CBS announced thatBlue Bloodsseason 14 would be its last a few months before its premiere in early 2024. The show’s finale later aired in December of the same year.
According toDeadline,Danny will partner with Detective Lena Peters in the upcomingBlue Bloodsoffshoot.Lena is described as “the eldest daughter of a prominent law enforcement family,” but other than that, not much else is known about the new character or the spinoff as a whole.CBS plans on launchingBoston Blueduring the 2025–2026 TV season, though, meaning more information about the new series will come sooner rather than later. In the meantime, we can deliberate over why CBS is keeping theBlue Bloodsuniverse alive via a spinoff rather than simply continuing the original show.
Boston Blue Is Likely More Cost Effective For CBS Than Blue Bloods Season 15
Blue Bloods' High Budget Contributed To Its Cancelation
CBS' reason forBlue Bloods' divisive cancelationrelates to the cost of making the police procedural series. Its budget was reportedly too high (despite the cast’s willingness to take pay cuts), and the network seemingly wasn’t willing to continue producing the pricey show.TV series usually get more expensive the longer they run,especially when they feature all-star casts likeBlue Bloods. Cast and crew salaries and production costs tend to increase over time, and withBlue Bloodsapproaching 300 episodes, CBS decided it was time to start anew. As a result,Boston Bluewas born.
Marisa Ramirez
Maria Baez
TheupcomingBlue Bloodsspinoffwill primarily feature a new cast (aside from Donnie Wahlberg, of course). CBS won’t have to pay the actors as much.Boston Blue’s setting will also likely cut costs for the network(depending on whether it will change the production location) as filming in New York City is expensive. So, it will assumingly be cheaper to produce than the original show, which is whyBoston Blueis happening andBlue Bloodsseason 15 isn’t.
CBS Has Been Focusing On New Shows Over Old Ones
The Network Is Starting Anew
Theconfirmation ofBlue Bloods' sequel spinoffisn’t all that shocking given CBS' recent decisions concerning its other established series. Instead of (or in addition to) continuing the original shows,CBS has been ordering several spinoffs as of late.Sheriff Country(an offshoot ofFire Country) will also debut during the 2025–2026 network TV season;The Neighborhoodhas two spinoffs in the works; theFBIuniverse is growing withFBI: CIAthis year; CBS canceledNCIS: Hawai’ibut ordered two spinoffs —NCIS: OriginsandNCIS: Tony & Ziva; and so on.
Blue Bloods' Cancelation Is More Insulting After CBS Announced Its Replacement
The Reagans won’t stay together for Blue Bloods season 15, and CBS' replacement series does little to justify the procedural’s cancelation.
Aside from wanting to cut costs,CBS is also trying to keep its lineup fresh by greenlighting many spinoffs and new shows for the 2025–2026 TV season.Boston Blueis just one of the numerous new projects that the network has in the works. Based on this pattern, CBS was never going to reverse itsdisappointing decision to cancelBlue Bloods. However, the good news is that the franchise expands via the sequel series, and fans will get to see Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny (and possibly other familiar characters) on a regular basis inBoston Blue.
Donnie Wahlberg’s Involvement Makes Boston Blue Happening Weirder
Danny Was One Of Blue Bloods' Central Characters
WhileDonnie Wahlberg’s connection to theBlue Bloodsspinoff is exciting,it’s also confusing, given why and how the original show ended. The established actor will likely require a higher salary from the network compared to a newer star, who CBS could pay less to headline the sequel series. It’s simply strange to bring Danny, a main character, back instead of continuing the first show. Plus, based on Danny’s teased romance with Maria Baez inBlue Bloods' endingand no news concerning Marisa Ramirez’s involvement inBoston Blue, it’s unclear why Danny would move to Boston. Thankfully, these questions should be answered soon.
