Tom Selleck's Early Days on Blue Bloods
When Blue Bloods first premiered, Tom Selleck, the charismatic actor who plays the role of Frank Reagan, revealed that stepping into the shoes of a patriarch wasn’t as straightforward as it might seem. In an interview with Collider back in September 2010 during the show’s debut season, the 79-year-old actor opened up about the challenges of portraying a dad to grown-ups. "This is the first time I’ve played dad to adults," Tom confessed. "I felt a little intimidated at first. You see, I had such an incredible dad, so maybe I was drawing inspiration from him, but it took time to get comfortable with the role."
Embracing the Role of a Father
Tom continued to elaborate on the unique challenge of playing a father to grown-up children. "I look at my fellow actors, and I realize I’m way older than some of them. But here’s the thing—I don’t feel that much older. So, I had to adjust to the idea of portraying a parent to adults. It’s a fascinating challenge for me. Over the years, I’ve played a father to teenagers, kids, and even babies, but this was uncharted territory for me, and I truly embraced the challenge." He went on to explain how this role pushed him creatively and allowed him to grow as an actor.
The Initial Hurdles of Joining Blue Bloods
In that same interview, the Emmy-winning actor also shared the biggest obstacle he faced when signing on for the show. "The first thing I asked was, ‘Where are we shooting this?’" Tom recalled, speaking about the New York City-based crime drama. "We tried to figure out how that would work, but as we all know, things rarely go according to plan. But let me tell you, the allure of the show wasn’t just in the planning—it was in the idea itself. Filming on the streets of New York City? That was what really excited me. There’s something magical about capturing the essence of the city in every scene."
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A Legacy to Be Proud Of
Fast forward 14 years, and Tom has nothing but fond memories of his time on Blue Bloods. The show is currently airing its final episodes on CBS, and Tom has expressed his wish that the series could continue beyond season 14. "I’m kind of frustrated," he admitted to TV Insider in an interview published on October 3. "During those last eight episodes, I didn’t want to talk about the show ending—I wanted to talk about how wildly successful it still is. Did you know we ranked No. 9 out of 100 shows in total viewers for 2023-2024? If you exclude the three football shows, we’re No. 6!"
Tom went on to express his admiration for the show’s longevity and success. "Imagine if a network said, ‘Here’s a show you can put in the worst time slot you have, and it will guarantee winning Friday nights for the next 15 years.’ That’s the kind of show Blue Bloods was. I’m not about to become a bitter old guy saying, ‘Get off my lawn!’ but I do feel a sense of loss. It’s going to take time to process all of this."
The Emotional Farewell
Tom expressed his mixed emotions about the show's conclusion. "My frustration stems from the fact that the show was always taken for granted because it performed so consistently from the very beginning. So, how do I feel? It’s going to take a long time to sort everything out. After the weekend of shooting the final episode, I remember saying, ‘I’ve got to get to bed early tonight because I have to prepare my dialogue for Monday.’ But then I realized—there was no Monday. It’s just going to take some time to process."
A Family on and Off Screen
Tom also highlighted the close-knit bond that developed among the cast over the years, something that viewers cherished about Blue Bloods. "The family of actors is as close as the Reagan family and the characters they portray," he fondly recalled. "There isn’t a single one of them who didn’t want to come back. Most shows don’t end that way—there’s often petty jealousy and other issues—but we managed to overcome all that. It’s something everyone can be proud of, and it’s a testament to the incredible team we had."
