Blue Bloods Spinoff Twist: It Might Not Be About Danny Reagan!

Boston Blue: The Blue Bloods Legacy Continues—But It Might Not Be Danny Reagan’s Story

CBS is set to debut Boston Blue in fall 2025, an expansion of the Blue Bloods universe that may take the franchise in a bold new direction—one that doesn’t revolve entirely around Danny Reagan.

While Blue Bloods became a cornerstone of CBS for 14 seasons thanks to its Reagan-family-centered storytelling, Boston Blue is being pitched as more than just a traditional spinoff. Though Donnie Wahlberg will reprise his iconic role as Danny Reagan, the focus appears to shift from the Reagans to an all-new family with deep roots in Boston law enforcement.

The new series will follow Danny as he relocates from New York to Boston, where he partners with Lena Peters, played by Sonequa Martin-Green. Like the Reagans, Lena hails from a prominent police family—likely paving the way for Boston Blue to preserve the signature family values that made Blue Bloods such a hit, while introducing viewers to fresh dynamics and traditions.

Why Is Danny Leaving New York?

One of the biggest questions heading into the premiere is what prompts Danny to leave the Reagans and New York behind. The Blue Bloods series finale hinted at a budding romance between Danny and his long-time partner Detective Baez (Marisa Ramirez), yet there’s been no word on whether Baez will appear in the new series. If not, Boston Blue will need to address what happened to that relationship—and how Danny’s departure fits into the larger narrative.

Donnie Wahlberg has made it clear that he only agreed to return if the new show stayed true to the spirit of Blue Bloods—especially its core themes of loyalty, integrity, and family. But the direction Boston Blue appears to be taking suggests that the Reagan family may not be front and center this time around. In fact, Danny might even play a more supporting role, with the spotlight shifting toward Lena and the Peters family.

A New Family at the Table

In a recent interview with ExtraTV, Sonequa Martin-Green emphasized that the heart of Boston Blue will still be family, just not the one fans are used to.

“Blue Bloods was so good and we loved the Reagans so much—hopefully, people will love this new family. It’s a legacy show, and I don’t take that lightly,” Martin-Green shared. “Family is still at the center of it.”

She hinted that the Peters family, while different from the Reagans, will bring their own values and traditions to the screen—perhaps even inviting Danny into their world as a dinner guest rather than host.

Meanwhile, Wahlberg played coy when asked if any Reagans would show up in Boston Blue, teasing: “I know a lot of things, but I can’t tell you any of them.” His response leaves the door open for surprise appearances down the line—but for now, the focus remains firmly on new faces and new stories.

A Fresh Chapter for a Beloved Franchise

Though Blue Bloods was canceled earlier in 2025 as part of CBS’s larger cost-cutting and scheduling overhaul, Boston Blue may offer fans a satisfying continuation of the themes they cherished—through new characters, new city streets, and a new family legacy.

As CBS leans into evolving its franchises like NCIS and now Blue Bloods, Boston Blue could prove that the heart of a great procedural isn’t just its cast—it’s the values it champions.