Let me tell you something fascinating. Can you imagine Blue Bloods being called anything else? It's hard to picture, right? But here's the deal: before it became the hit series we all know and love, the show had an entirely different name. As the curtain falls on its final season, the cast has come forward to share some incredible secrets about the series, including its original title, changes in the storyline from season one, and so much more.
Guess What? 'Blue Bloods' Could Have Been 'Reagan's Law'
During a special episode titled Blue Bloods: Celebrating a Family Legacy, which aired in November 2024, we learned something truly surprising. Can you believe that Blue Bloods was originally going to be called Reagan’s Law? That’s right, folks. Thankfully, the name was changed before the show hit our screens.
Actor Len Cariou, who plays Henry Reagan, mentioned during the special, “You know it was originally called Reagan’s Law.” Tom Selleck, playing Frank Reagan, couldn’t agree more when he said, “What a terrible title. Boy, I don’t think we should have been saddled with Reagan’s Law.” The cast was clearly thrilled when the name was officially changed to Blue Bloods. This special episode, filled with interviews and memorable moments, gave fans a deeper look into the beloved show.
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Not All of the Pilot Was Filmed in the Big Apple
Now here’s another interesting tidbit. Host Nischelle Turner revealed that parts of the pilot episode were actually filmed in Toronto, Canada, not New York City. If you're like me, you probably associate Blue Bloods with the vibrant streets of NYC. But in the beginning, not everything was shot there. Tom Selleck spoke about this during a 2010 press event, saying, “No offense, Toronto, but I’ve shot there, and it’s a lovely place to shoot, but it’s different.”
Tom, who resides at his California ranch with his wife Jillie Mack, has been traveling to New York for the show since 1988. Despite the long journey, he didn’t mind making the trip for Blue Bloods, which will air its season 14 series finale on December 13, 2024. “Look, it’s difficult for me to argue that shooting a show about New York won’t be better shot in New York,” he added.
Tom Selleck Stepped Up to Protect the Show’s Values
Tom Selleck was determined to ensure that Blue Bloods stayed true to its family values from the very first season. At one point, he felt that the storyline was shifting away from those core principles, and he took decisive action. “Suddenly, there was a difference in the tone, and some new people had been brought in and the show was more procedural. I kind of met with the other actors and said, ‘Look, you can stay out of this. I’m going to have to have broad enough shoulders for this. But if you agree with me that you like the pilot and not the way the show was beginning, then I’m going to see what I can do,’” Tom revealed.
He reached out to network executives and his agent, stating, “This isn’t going to work.” This wasn’t a threat; it was a business-like approach, and it paid off. Bridget Moynahan said that Tom’s actions showed he cared. Donnie Wahlberg echoed this sentiment, saying, “He used his experience and his influence to ensure that we could protect the integrity of the show that we all signed up for.”
Tom Selleck Modestly Asked for Fourth Billing
When the show first started, Tom viewed himself as a supporting character. “When you commit to a series like that, everybody’s futures are on the line, and it affected them as much as me. When we started Blue Bloods, I asked for fourth billing. I was kind of a supporting character for what was happening in their lives, so it was as much their future as mine. It was an ensemble show which I was delighted to be a part of,” he explained.
