Len Cariou Reflects on Blue Bloods’ Emotional Final Days
In one of the latest episodes of Blue Bloods, Henry Reagan (Len Cariou) manages to surprise Erin (Bridget Moynahan) not once, but twice.
First, Erin is taken aback when she learns that Henry plans to testify for the defense in her case against a former cop who used a chokehold during a fence dispute. When she confronts him, he insists that the case requires expert testimony and that he knows how to judge people. However, once on the stand, Henry shocks everyone by making it clear that the defendant represents exactly why chokeholds were banned in the first place. He kept Erin in the dark about his true intentions to maximize the impact of his testimony—a move that left both her and the audience stunned.
Below, Len Cariou discusses the fun of filming that moment, his final days on set, and the bittersweet end of Blue Bloods.
Surprising Erin in the Courtroom
Watching Henry take the stand, it was evident that he was enjoying the moment—especially knowing he had caught Erin off guard.
Cariou confirms this, saying, “Yeah, he was. Being able to, in a sense, dupe her was great fun for Henry.”
The dynamic between Henry and Erin has always been a fan favorite, and this episode gave them significant screen time together. Cariou notes that the writers likely wanted to highlight their long-standing relationship, adding, “She’s the only female in the group, and he’d always say, ‘My favorite granddaughter,’ and she’d reply, ‘You mean your only granddaughter, smartass.’”
A Bittersweet Final Day on Set
Looking back on his last day of filming, Cariou describes the experience as both emotional and surreal.
“It was pretty bittersweet,” he recalls. “The last scene was at a funeral, so we weren’t even in the house when we wrapped. I finished that day, as did Tom [Selleck], Bridget [Moynahan], Steve [Schirripa], and a few others. It was strange—it felt like just another day on set, but deep down, we knew it was goodbye.”
Cariou explains that the cast initially processed their farewells in a quiet, understated way. But when they reunited for the wrap party celebrating the final eight episodes, the reality of the show ending truly hit.
“That was bittersweet,” he admits. “We had already said our goodbyes, and then suddenly, everyone was back in the same room together. That made it a little harder.”
The Emotional Final Family Dinner
For Blue Bloods fans, the Reagan family dinner scenes have been a hallmark of the series. Filming the last one was particularly poignant for the cast.
“It was pretty emotional,” Cariou says. “It wasn’t the final scene we shot, but it was tough. Not everyone from the show is there when we film those, so there’s always a bit of fragmentation. But the interesting thing is that the very first scene we filmed for the pilot was a dinner scene. That was the first thing we ever put on film.”
He recalls how Blue Bloods creator Leonard Goldberg took a risk by including the family dinner in every episode. “Goldberg wanted to show how a cop family functioned away from the job. It became the heart of the show. He told us, ‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to rethink things.’ But after watching that first scene, he said, ‘It works. I can’t imagine the show without it.’”
Saying Goodbye to Henry and Blue Bloods
Leaving Blue Bloods after 14 seasons has been difficult for Cariou.
“It was tough,” he admits. “At the wrap party, they surprised me with a birthday cake, which made it even more special.”
Like many fans, Cariou wishes the show wasn’t ending. “It doesn’t make any sense. We’re still the most-watched show on Friday nights, even though we’re canceled.”
The Show’s Friday Night Success
Despite initial skepticism about airing on Friday nights—a historically tough time slot—Blue Bloods defied expectations.
“When the show started, Friday at 10 p.m. wasn’t a great slot,” Cariou explains. “We thought, ‘This isn’t ideal.’ But because of Tom [Selleck] and his following, people tuned in. CBS considered moving us at one point, but Leonard Goldberg said, ‘No, we’ll own Friday nights.’ And sure enough, we did.”
The End of an Era
As Blue Bloods approaches its final episodes, its legacy remains undeniable. From emotional family dinners to gripping courtroom moments, the series has left a lasting impact on audiences—and on the cast who brought it to life. While fans will undoubtedly miss the Reagan family, their stories and the lessons they imparted will live on.
