Donnie Wahlberg recently opened up about the emotional toll of Blue Bloods ending, sharing that he and his castmates did everything they could to keep the beloved show on the air. In an interview with Fox News, Wahlberg expressed his sadness over the cancellation, particularly for the crew who had worked alongside the cast in New York City for so many years.
“We did everything we could to keep the show going,” Wahlberg said. “It was tough for me, and I’m sure for some of the others too. We kept hoping that we could make it happen, but we couldn’t. That was a hard reality to accept.”
Wahlberg admitted that he felt like he had let the crew down, even though he knew they would never feel that way. He continued, “We got so close to that crew, and they had families and responsibilities. It was an amazing feeling to know we were part of so many people’s livelihoods, and to have that come to an end was difficult. It was emotional, and I’m sure it was scary for them too.”
Wahlberg wasn’t alone in his disappointment over the show’s cancellation. Tom Selleck, who played Frank Reagan on the series, has also expressed frustration with the decision. In an interview with CBS News, Selleck pointed out the show’s success, saying, “We’re the third-highest scripted show in all of broadcast. We’re winning the night. The cast wants to come back, and I can tell you, we’re not slipping. We’re doing good shows and holding our place.”
Selleck further emphasized the importance of the cast’s connection with the audience, telling Town & Country, “Actors are not widgets. People matter. Audiences tune in to see the people they become invested in, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change. But the state of television is concerning.”
The show’s finale, which aired on December 13, was met with impressive viewership, earning 6.68 million live+same-day viewers and potentially surpassing 11.4 million viewers within its first week. The numbers reflected a strong and loyal audience, with the finale seeing a 15% increase in live+same-day averages compared to the rest of the season. Despite the solid ratings, Blue Bloods was canceled, leaving its cast and crew to come to terms with the end of an era.
