Why Tom Selleck Said No to a ‘Blue Bloods’ Spinoff
Tom Selleck, the iconic actor who brought Commissioner Frank Reagan to life on “Blue Bloods,” has revealed an interesting spinoff idea that he ultimately decided not to pursue. The concept? Frank Reagan retiring from his position with the NYPD and moving away from New York City to join a smaller local police force. Sounds intriguing, right? But Tom wasn’t exactly on board with it.
During an interview with Variety, published on Thursday, December 12, Tom, now 79, opened up about this pitch alongside his on-screen son, Donnie Wahlberg. The two were reflecting on the sudden cancellation of the long-running CBS series after 14 seasons. It’s a show that had become a staple for millions of viewers, so naturally, the idea of continuing its legacy through a spinoff was brought up.
What Did Tom Think of the Spinoff Idea?
When the interviewer broached the topic of a potential spinoff, Tom shared how he was approached with the idea of Frank Reagan stepping down from his role as NYPD commissioner and relocating to a different city. But Tom wasn’t feeling it. He explained, “I said, ‘That’s really good, but I’m going to do another Jesse Stone movie. I’m going to write that.’”
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For Tom, the idea of Frank leaving New York didn’t resonate with him. After all, Frank Reagan’s connection to the city and his role within the NYPD are integral parts of his character. Tom clearly wanted to keep Frank’s story rooted in the world fans have grown to love, rather than sending him off to a new location.
Donnie Wahlberg’s Take on a Possible Spinoff
On the other hand, Donnie Wahlberg, 55, seemed more open to the idea of exploring a spinoff, as long as it stayed true to the heart of what made “Blue Bloods” so special: family. “It’s going to be a very delicate dance to keep that integrity,” Donnie said. “Where’s the family going to be? They can’t be in New York. I would probably drive to New York from Ohio, if I was Danny, to go to every dinner and back.”
Donnie’s character, Danny Reagan, has been a cornerstone of the show throughout its 14-season run. For him, the idea of continuing the show without the family dynamic would feel like losing a crucial piece of what made “Blue Bloods” so beloved. He expressed hope that the show could find a way to bring the Reagans together, even if it meant reimagining their setting.
Hope for a Return?
Despite the cancellation, Donnie admitted that part of him still hopes “Blue Bloods” might find its way back in some form. “Until we know that there’s absolutely no way this show can be resurrected somehow, I think we’re all walking forward … but taking a peek back,” he said. It’s clear that both Tom and Donnie share a deep connection to the show and the characters they’ve portrayed for so many years.
The Importance of Family
One thing Tom and Donnie both agreed on is the lesson they’ve learned from their time on “Blue Bloods”: family matters. Tom, who lives on a 63-acre ranch in Ventura County, California, with his wife, Jillie Mack, and Donnie, who resides in Illinois with his wife, Jenny McCarthy, both traveled to New York City regularly to film the show. For them, the sense of family and community that “Blue Bloods” fostered was invaluable.
Donnie explained, “It’s not that I’m not committed to my family, but I live in a different state than my siblings. I think when you come from a big family, you can stay close, but my career has taken me all over the world, and it still does.” He went on to admit that sometimes he prioritizes his own downtime over family gatherings. “My sister always calls and says, ‘Come on, Mom’s gone now, let’s all fly to Boston and do Thanksgiving.’ A lot of times I’m like, ‘It’s a long flight. I’ve been flying back and forth, filming and going on tour. I just want to sit at home and put on the fireplace and be with my wife and my dogs,’” Donnie confessed. “Maybe I need to hop on a plane and do a little bit more of those occasions with the siblings and encourage Mark [Wahlberg] to get on a plane and do the same.”
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