Blue Bloods May Be Over, But the Stars Are Still in the Spotlight
It's the end of an era as Blue Bloods concludes after 14 seasons. But don't think for a second that the show's beloved stars are ready to step away from the spotlight. Len Cariou, the actor who's played Henry Reagan since the show's premiere in 2010, is proof that age is just a number when it comes to staying active in the entertainment world. "He's not ready to retire. He's 85 years young," said co-star Abigail Hawk in a recent interview with Us Weekly. Hawk added that the show has always been a testament to the idea that age doesn't have to define an actor's career—or their life.
Len Cariou: A Career That's Anything But Ordinary
At 85, Len Cariou has been a cornerstone of Blue Bloods since day one. Before joining the Reagan family on-screen, Len had already built an impressive career on the stage, earning multiple Tony Award nominations and leaving an indelible mark on theater audiences. His portrayal of Henry Reagan, the wise and loving patriarch, has resonated with fans for years, proving that experience only adds depth to his performances. Hawk, who plays Erin Reagan on the show, emphasized that Len's energy and enthusiasm are unmatched. "One of the coolest things about our show, aside from the family dinners, is that we show that age is really just a number," she said.
Abigail Hawk on the Bittersweet Farewell
While fans are understandably upset about the cancellation of Blue Bloods by CBS, the show's cast shares their sentiments. Abigail Hawk, who's been a part of the Reagan family for over a decade, opened up about the emotional toll of saying goodbye. "None of us wanted the show to end," she revealed. "Every single one of us, regardless of whatever rumors were flying around, was very ready, willing, and able to continue working," she told the outlet. And while the decision wasn't theirs to make, she stressed that stars like Tom Selleck and Len Cariou were especially invested in keeping the show alive.
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Tom Selleck and Len Cariou: A Partnership For the Ages
Though Len is only six years older than Tom Selleck in real life, their on-screen dynamic as father and son has been nothing short of magical. Len's portrayal of Henry Reagan, the father of Tom's character Frank Reagan, has been a cornerstone of the show's success. Many fans would agree that Henry has been the heart and soul of the series, offering laughter, wisdom, and comfort in equal measure. Len himself spoke fondly of his costars during an interview with Observer, saying, "We all get along terribly well. And that doesn’t happen every time out." His friendship with Tom Selleck, with whom he's shared countless scenes, has been a highlight of his time on the show. "Tom has been doing this all his life, and he’s a master at it," Len said. "It’s a real pleasure to be with him."
Saying Goodbye Isn't Easy
For Len, wrapping up such a significant chapter of his career hasn't been easy. "It was pretty emotional," he admitted to TV Insider about filming the final family dinner scene. "It wasn’t the last thing we did, but it was nice in one sense to be in the room together, but it was a tough day for us." He noted that not everyone from the cast could be present for that final moment, which added to the bittersweet nature of the experience. Interestingly, the very first scene they filmed for the pilot was also a family dinner. "The first thing we put on film was that scene back in Episode 101," Len recalled. "So that was pretty interesting. We talked a bit about that because there were a couple of cast changes when the show finally launched. So it was pretty emotional."
Tom Selleck: Looking Ahead to New Adventures
Like Len, Tom Selleck is also eager to continue his acting journey beyond Blue Bloods. The Magnum, P.I. star hinted at the possibility of returning to the Jesse Stone franchise, a series that has earned him both critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. "It looks like now I might have to write [a script for another movie]," Tom told TV Insider on October 3. "It wouldn’t be a final one because everybody loves it. Jesse is a great character, and it would be fascinating to find out where he is quite a few years later. But I need to regroup; I don’t know what’s next, but assuming the phone doesn’t stop ringing, I’m going to keep working." For fans of both actors, it's clear that the curtain may have closed on Blue Bloods, but the story of these talented individuals is far from over.
