I need a few other Blue Bloods characters to join Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan in Boston Blues. For the past 14 seasons, Blue Bloods‘ Reagan family has been the heart of the police procedural about three generations of cops. Although Blue Bloods had cases of the week like other procedurals, it stood out because it emphasized the bonds between family members. One of the most popular aspects of the series was the now-iconic Sunday family dinner, which was part of every episode.
Sadly, CBS canceled Blue Bloods after season 14. The network refused to move forward with the series despite a massive fan-led movement to save Blue Bloods, and the procedural aired its final episode on December 13, 2024. However, the network recently announced a Blue Bloods spinoff for the 2026-2027 season. The new show, tentatively titled Boston Blue, will feature Danny Reagan moving to Boston to take a new job with their police department. So far, there has been no news of any other Reagans joining Danny on his new adventure, but I hope a few names will show up.
6. Frank Reagan
Tom Selleck
It will be tricky to include Frank in Boston Blue, but I can’t imagine any Blue Bloods series without the Reagan family patriarch showing up. Frank has an unusual degree of integrity, refusing to compromise his values for political expediency. His insistence on doing the right thing often puts him at odds with his family. I’ll be heartbroken if this dynamic can’t continue in Boston Blue. Fortunately, there is a way to do it.
It would be silly and unrealistic if Frank quit his job as New York Commissioner of Police to become the head of the Boston PD, so that is not an option. However, Frank could know the Boston top cop very well — it’s not unusual for people in these positions to have crossed paths or worked together on joint missions. Thus, Frank could give the Boston commissioner his honest opinion of Danny during the hiring process, which would lead to drama.
The idea of a weekly video chat would be especially interesting if it was combined with Danny’s new partner having a weekly dinner with her family.
Additionally, Frank could utilize video chats to stay in touch with Danny frequently. While this would not be the same as having a Reagan family dinner in Blue Bloods, it would be a new tradition that could keep the emphasis on family values alive in the new series. The idea of a weekly video chat would be especially interesting if it was combined with Danny’s new partner having a weekly dinner with her family — doing so would keep the tradition alive without making it seem like the new family is meant to replace the Reagans.
5. Maria Baez
Marisa Ramirez
Blue Bloods‘ series finale implied that Danny and Baez were exploring the possibility of becoming a couple. After realizing that he was lonely and that it was time to move back into the world of dating, Danny asked Baez out for pizza. While this final scene between the two of them didn’t guarantee that romance would work out between Danny and his work partner, it did offer movement forward. Thus, Boston Blue can’t simply ignore Baez and Danny’s Blue Bloods ending. The new series needs to explain what happened between them.Baez should appear in the pilot episode to wrap up her and Danny’s storyline.
I’m not a fan of character exits being explained by throwaway lines. Instead, Baez should appear in the pilot episode to wrap up her and Danny’s storyline. Alternatively, she could accompany Danny to Boston and be part of the Boston Blue cast of characters. However, there would have to be a strong explanation for why she and Danny aren’t continuing to work together if the new show goes this route.
4. Henry Reagan
Len Cariou
Blue Bloods’ Henry Reagan was one of the procedural’s most underused characters, especially in the later seasons. Henry was mostly featured in the family dinner scenes, though he occasionally had a story of his own. Many of his stories involved him longing to remain involved in police work several years after his retirement. Henry was still mentally sharp, for the most part, and was often annoyed that Jamie treated him like he was not competent to make his own decisions because of his age.
All of these dynamics suggest that Henry might jump at the chance to move to Boston with Danny. This change would offer him new adventures and the opportunity to experience how police work is done in a different city. Danny might reluctantly allow Henry to live with him, stating that he can keep an eye on his grandfather, while Henry plans to be the one watching out for Danny. This dynamic would be a solid subplot for Henry and Danny. It would also give veteran actor Len Cariou a meaty storyline.
3. Maggie Gibson
Callie Thorne
Callie Thorne’s Maggie Gibson only appeared in a handful of Blue Bloods episodes, but she was one of the procedural’s most popular minor characters. Maggie was a psychic who often offered Danny insight into cases based on her visions. Although Danny was skeptical that she was anything other than a scammer or perhaps a deluded person who occasionally guessed right, he was forced to accept her help when her intuition turned out to be correct. Additionally, she and Danny had chemistry together, and thus, her name often topped lists of characters Danny should have a new romance with.
Danny’s new colleagues at the Boston PD would likely be unfamiliar with her and think it is ridiculous to rely on her insights into cases.
Since Maggie is a free agent who offers advice to skeptical police officers whenever she thinks she can help, there is no reason she has to stay in New York. She may have a strong intuition that Danny needs her help again and head to Boston to work with him. Maggie would make a great guest star, as Danny’s new colleagues at the Boston PD would likely be unfamiliar with her and think it is ridiculous to rely on her insights into cases.
Additionally, if Danny and Baez are no longer an item, Maggie could flirt with him or take other steps toward romance with Danny. If either the romance or the help with police cases works out, Maggie could become a recurring character whose colorful personality adds something to Boston Blue. Additionally, allowing Maggie an additional chance at romance with Danny would make up for never exploring this possibility in Blue Bloods.
2. Joe Hill
Will Hochman
Blue Bloods’ Joe Hill was a late addition who became one of the procedural’s most popular — and underused — characters. Joe was introduced at the end of season 10 as the son of the late Joe Reagan. Neither he nor the Reagans knew he existed before this point, and it was difficult for them to find their footing with one another. Jamie, who was close with his eldest brother, had an especially hard time accepting Joe as part of the family, while Joe wasn’t sure he wanted to be a Reagan because he’d grown up believing Reagans were overly privileged.
However, the tide began to turn during Blue Bloods season 14. Danny was impressed with Joe when he was forced to work with him, and the two developed a grudging respect for each other. Joe’s story also wrapped up perfectly in Blue Bloods, as he came to the final dinner and stated that he thought that Jamie and Eddie’s baby would be lucky to be born into the Reagan family. That said, I would be disappointed if Joe’s story ended there, especially with a spinoff on the table.
Adding Joe to the new spinoff would allow him and Danny to continue building their relationship, which would be exciting.
Joe is a popular enough character that his name regularly tops lists of who should have their own spinoff. While Boston Blue is Danny’s show, having Danny cross paths with Joe regularly on the job would fulfill this need. Joe could be a recurring character whose work with the Narcotics Department sometimes brings him to Boston, though it would be better if he also took a job in Beantown. Regardless of how it’s done, adding Joe to the new spinoff would allow him and Danny to continue building their relationship, which would be exciting.
1. Sean Reagan
Andrew Terraciano
Sean has been part of Blue Bloods since he was in elementary school. The character grew up on the series, becoming a semi-rebellious teenager and eventually going to college at NYU while living at home. He is an important part of the Reagan family, and the wrap-up of his story offers a perfect opportunity for him to move to Boston with his dad. Sean announces in the penultimate episode of Blue Bloods that he has enough credits to graduate a year early, but isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life once he finishes school.
Danny might decide to take the job in Boston because Sean is already there, and he wants to remain close to his son.
This set-up perfectly explains why Sean moves to Boston. He might not want to live with Danny anymore—as a new college graduate, he’s probably eager to start his own life. However, he may want to explore a new city while figuring out what he wants to do with himself. Additionally, Danny might decide to take the job in Boston because Sean is already there, and he wants to remain close to his son.
Sean living in Boston would offer Boston Blue plenty of storyline opportunities. A subplot could explore the conflict between Danny and Sean as Sean attempts to start his adult life while his father has trouble letting go. This relatable storyline would honor Sean’s history with Blue Bloods and continue his story in a meaningful manner. It also would contribute to Boston Blue carrying on its parent series’ legacy of centering family values.
