Donnie Wahlberg Teases ‘Boston Blue’ Spinoff: Faith, Family, Tradition — and a Twist on the Classic Dinner Scene
Donnie Wahlberg has been buzzing with excitement about Blue Bloods getting a spinoff for the 2025 TV season, especially since the new series will be set in his real-life hometown of Boston. While Wahlberg will remain a familiar anchor for fans, he revealed that Boston Blue will carry over the three core values of the original series: faith, family, and tradition.
But there’s one more essential ingredient: family dinners — albeit with a new twist.
🍽️ How ‘Boston Blue’ Dinner Scenes Will Be Different
In the spinoff, Wahlberg’s character Danny Reagan moves to Boston to be closer to his son (played by Mika Amonsen) and begins working with new partner Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green). Wahlberg has been acting as a “tour guide” for his co-stars while navigating the new family dynamics, which are especially highlighted during family dinner scenes.
This time, the meals aren’t the Catholic dinners Danny is used to. The Silvers are Jewish, and early on, Danny attends a Shabbat dinner, which introduces a fresh challenge. Wahlberg explained to Deadline:
“It’s the first time that Danny’s not familiar with the table. It’s a [Jewish Sabbath] Shabbat dinner… a new family, a new dynamic. Danny usually just says what he wants and how he wants at the table. He’s respectful, but he doesn’t hold back. Now it’s a different world to navigate. It’s very interesting and fun to play. It gives me a new challenge in trying not to blurt out whatever’s on Danny’s mind, but it still has to be him.”
Despite the new cultural setting, some traditions remain. For instance, Wahlberg notes that the series still avoids the clinking of real silverware during dinner scenes — a small but familiar detail for fans.
🌟 New Family, New Dynamic
Sonequa Martin-Green praised the decision to mix Jewish and Christian influences at the dinner table, calling it a bold choice that “worked out great.” With Ernie Hudson playing the Christian grandfather Reverend Peters, the show blends faiths while exploring fresh interpersonal dynamics:
“One of the things I loved about our version of family dinner was the fact that this family practices the Sabbath and also has this Christian influence through the grandfather. I just think that’s phenomenal. It was a big deal to see that. I feel that took some courage to do.”
As for Wahlberg, he’s famously one of the few actors to actually eat during Blue Bloods’ iconic dinner scenes — and fans are curious whether he’ll keep the tradition alive in Boston Blue.
📅 Premiere Date
Boston Blue officially premieres on CBS’ Friday night fall schedule, October 17th at 10 p.m. ET.
With a new city, a new family, and a fresh take on classic dinner traditions, Boston Blue promises to honor the legacy of Blue Bloods while charting its own course.
