Donnie Wahlberg’s Three-Word Reaction to Boston Blue Says It All — And CBS’s 2025 Lineup Is Packed With Spinoffs
After the emotional cancellation of Blue Bloods, CBS is breathing new life into the franchise with the upcoming spinoff Boston Blue, led by Donnie Wahlberg. The network recently revealed its 2025–2026 primetime lineup, confirming that Boston Blue will be part of the slate — and Wahlberg responded in a way that perfectly captured the moment.
Donnie Wahlberg’s Perfect Reaction to Boston Blue’s Official Return
Taking to Instagram following CBS’s schedule reveal, Wahlberg kept things short and sweet with just three words: “We ride again.” That simple phrase carried powerful meaning for Blue Bloods fans still processing the end of the original series. After 14 seasons, Blue Bloods wrapped in late 2024, but now its spirit lives on through Boston Blue.
Clearly, the sentiment behind Wahlberg’s post resonated with fans who had hoped the Reagan family’s story would continue. While Boston Blue will be a new chapter with a new setting and supporting cast, the heart of the show—family, duty, and justice—remains intact.
CBS’s 2025–2026 Lineup Is Stacked With Spinoffs
Wahlberg’s post also highlights a much bigger trend: CBS is fully leaning into spinoffs, reboots, and franchise extensions like never before. In fact, when you look at the network’s upcoming schedule, the number of series that are part of a larger universe is astounding.
Here’s a look at some of the many franchise-based shows CBS is rolling out or continuing this year:
- Boston Blue – A Blue Bloods spinoff following Danny Reagan as he starts a new chapter in Boston with Detective Lena Peters (Sonequa Martin-Green).
- CIA – A brand-new offshoot of the FBI franchise.
- NCIS Tuesdays – A full night of NCIS programming, featuring NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney.
- Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage – A continuation of Young Sheldon, itself a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory.
- Ghosts – An American remake of the beloved British comedy.
- Matlock – A modern reboot of the classic legal drama.
- Elsbeth – A character-driven legal series spun off from The Good Wife and The Good Fight.
- Sheriff Country – The first spinoff from Fire Country.
- Y: Marshals – A new series set in the expanding Yellowstone universe, featuring Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton.
What’s Not a Spinoff on CBS?
Surprisingly, very little. Outside of Tracker, the comedy DMV, and Watson (which is inspired by the Sherlock Holmes mythology), nearly all scripted shows on CBS are now tied to an existing franchise.
Why CBS’s Franchise Strategy Is Working
It may seem like a lot of déjà vu, but clearly, the strategy is paying off. Audiences love familiar characters and settings, and CBS is delivering more of what they love. For fans, this means longer stays in their favorite fictional worlds and more time with beloved characters—even when the original shows end.
If you’re looking to catch up before the fall premieres, most of these shows are available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. And be sure to tune into CBS this fall for the highly anticipated debut of Boston Blue — because, as Donnie Wahlberg says, “We ride again.”
