Will Frank Reagan Head to Boston? Diving Into the Blue Bloods Spinoff Cameos

Get the scoop on Danny Reagan's big move to Boston, who from the Reagan family popped up in the premiere of Boston Blue, and if Tom Selleck's Frank Reagan might make a special trip!

TL;DR

• Boston Blue kicked off October 17, 2025, on CBS, following Danny Reagan as he moves to Boston after his son Sean is injured.
• Bridget Moynahan (Erin Reagan) and Marisa Ramirez (Maria Baez) made guest appearances, confirming Danny and Baez are officially a couple.
• While Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) didn't appear in the premiere, executive producers and cast members hint at more Blue Bloods crossovers, leaving the door open for his arrival.

Alright, Blue Bloods fans, breathe easy! The end of an era with the flagship show doesn't mean the end of the Reagan family saga. Donnie Wahlberg is back as our favorite rule-bending detective, Danny Reagan, and he’s kicking off a whole new chapter in the brand-new CBS spinoff, Boston Blue. This isn't just a simple change of scenery; it's a deep dive into new challenges, new faces, and some very familiar ones too. We've got all the details from the premiere and beyond, so let's break down everything you need to know.

Danny Reagan Takes on Beantown: A New Beginning for a Familiar Face

The premise of Boston Blue is pretty straightforward, but oh-so-dramatic (just how we like it!). Danny Reagan, fresh from his NYPD days, packs up and heads to Boston. Why the big move? His son, Sean (played by Mika Amonsen, taking over from Andrew Terraciano), is now a rookie officer with the Boston PD and gets seriously injured in a fire while attempting to rescue victims. Naturally, a father like Danny isn't going to sit idly by. He rushes to Beantown, eventually taking a position with the Boston Police Department, partnering up with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green).

For Donnie Wahlberg, this move is extra special. He's a Dorchester native, so bringing Danny Reagan to his real-life hometown is a full-circle moment. He's even had to make sure Danny's Brooklyn accent doesn't slip into his natural Bostonian one! The show promises to make Boston a character in itself, with filming hitting iconic spots like Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, and Wahlberg’s old stomping grounds in Dorchester. It’s a love letter to the city, blending its unique charm with the beloved police procedural format.

Surprise Reagan Family Appearances and a Long-Awaited Romance

One of the biggest questions surrounding Boston Blue was just how much of the original Blue Bloods family would cross over. The premiere didn’t disappoint, treating us to a couple of fantastic surprise cameos that had fans buzzing!

Erin Reagan Arrives to Support Her Brother in a Time of Crisis

Danny’s sister, Erin Reagan Boyle, played by the brilliant Bridget Moynahan, made an appearance in Boston, showing up to support Danny while Sean was in a medically induced coma. It was a classic Reagan sibling moment, with Danny quipping, "Pretty sure I said nobody needed to come," and Erin's perfect retort, "Since when have I ever listened to you?" Executive Producer Anthony Hemingway noted that Bridget’s return was "beautiful in so many ways," emphasizing how she represented the Reagan family's unwavering support for one another, especially when Danny's world was "cracking completely open." It's clear that even in a new city, family still comes first.

Danny and Baez: The Will-They-Won't-They Finally Pays Off!

But perhaps the most exciting reveal for long-time fans was the confirmation of a romance we’ve all been rooting for! Marisa Ramirez reprised her role as Detective Maria Baez, and yes, she and Danny Reagan are officially together in Boston Blue! The premiere opened with the two getting out of bed, a definitive answer to the "pizza date" tease from the Blue Bloods series finale. Executive producer Brandon Sonnier explained that they decided "the two of them are good together, and they were making it work," making it important to show Baez before Danny left New York. Ramirez is slated to be an "occasional guest star" this season, meaning their long-distance relationship will definitely be explored. It’s a sweet payoff after years of undeniable chemistry and a purely platonic partnership that always left fans wanting more. So, while Danny's in Boston, Maria Baez is still very much a part of his life, proving that some bonds are strong enough to cross state lines.

The Elephant in the Room: Will Frank Reagan Make a Trip to Boston?

Now, for the big one: the patriarch himself, Commissioner Frank Reagan, played by the legendary Tom Selleck. He didn't physically appear in the Boston Blue premiere, but his presence was absolutely felt through several mentions and phone calls. Danny called his dad to update him on Sean’s condition, and even Boston Police Superintendent Sarah Silver (Maggie Lawson) called Frank, who’s still the NYPD commissioner, to vouch for Danny. Her remark, “Your dad’s voice counts for a lot, even this far from home,” pretty much sums up Frank’s enduring influence. Danny even quipped, “Danny Reagan, son of Frank, commissioner of all the land,” acknowledging his dad’s formidable reputation.

So, is a Frank Reagan cameo on the cards for Boston Blue Season 1? While there's no official confirmation, there's a lot of reason to hope. Executive Producer Anthony Hemingway is keen on bringing back beloved characters:

"With my executive producer hat on, let me say, the plan and concept, without spoiling anything, is to continue to find ways on intersecting and bringing back some of those beloved characters."

— Anthony Hemingway, Executive Producer

Co-showrunner Brandon Sonnier also confirmed that viewers can "expect some visits and trips" from other Blue Bloods characters, reinforcing the idea that the Reagan universe is truly expanding, not just relocating. Even Tom Selleck himself has expressed frustration about Blue Bloods ending, telling TV Insider he was "kind of frustrated" because the show was still "wildly successful." With his IMDb showing nothing else in the pipeline aside from a rumored Jesse Stone continuation, his schedule might just be open enough for a trip to Boston.

The Boston Blue cast members are also eager for Selleck to join them. Ernie Hudson, who plays Rev. Edwin Peters, told Us Weekly, “I’d love to work with Tom. I never have. Over the years, I’ve certainly admired his work.” And Donnie Wahlberg himself pointed out the practical logistics to Parade, simply stating, “New York and Boston are really close.” All these signs point to the stage being perfectly set for Frank Reagan to make an appearance. Imagine the dinner table discussions with the Silver family!

Meet the New Law Enforcement Royalty: The Silver Family Dynamics

While Danny Reagan brings his New York grit to Boston, he steps into a city with its own established law enforcement dynasty: the Silver family. These folks are Boston’s version of the Reagans, deeply entrenched in public service, albeit with their own unique complexities and quirks.

The Silver family is a powerful and interconnected unit. We have Mae Silver (Gloria Reuben), the formidable Boston District Attorney. Her stepsister, Sarah Silver (Maggie Lawson), is a Boston PD Superintendent, holding a significant position of authority. Then there’s Danny’s new partner, Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green), who is Mae’s daughter and Sarah’s stepsister. Rounding out the younger generation is Jonah Silver (Marcus Scribner), Lena’s younger brother and Sean Reagan’s best friend and fellow rookie officer. Overseeing it all is Mae’s father, Reverend Edwin Peters (Ernie Hudson), a well-respected leader in the community and the family patriarch, reminiscent of Frank Reagan's moral compass and wisdom.

The show attempts to replicate the iconic Reagan family dinners with the Silvers, featuring Friday night gatherings. However, critics like Joel Keller from Decider noted that this attempt to quickly establish a similar tradition felt a bit "cringey" and contrived in the premiere, especially when Danny was invited while his son Sean was still in critical condition. The Silver family also boasts a blended, mixed-faith dynamic, with Mae and Lena converting to Judaism when Mae married Lena's stepfather, while Reverend Peters is a Baptist minister. This adds layers to their interactions, but some critics felt the writers tried "a whole hell of a lot to keep up with" in explaining their complex faith, sometimes making the dialogue feel unnatural. Despite these initial hiccups, the deep family bonds and their shared commitment to law enforcement provide a rich new canvas for storytelling.

How Critics Are Weighing In on Boston Blue's Debut

The initial reception for Boston Blue has been a mixed bag, with critics offering a range of opinions on how well the spinoff handles its legacy.

On the positive side, many reviewers believe that fans of Blue Bloods will find a lot to love. Aramide Tinubu of Variety praised Boston Blue as a "thoughtful and well-paced police procedural" that "expands the Blue Bloods universe into a new city, without losing the essence of the original." They noted that the show has "the foundation to go all the way," highlighting its intriguing cases, complex family dynamics, and the promise of more familiar faces. Kristen Baldwin of EW gave it a B+, saying it "delivers nothing more and nothing less than what Blue Bloods fans want," describing it as "a little kinder and gentler than its predecessor," but still getting "the job done." These reviews suggest that if you loved the original, you'll likely feel right at home with Danny's new adventures.

However, not everyone was entirely sold. Joel Keller of Decider was quite critical, calling the show "eye-rollingly frustrating to watch" and feeling like it took "every contrived, cliched way to create a spinoff of a hit series they could dream up." He found many plot points "patently absurd," particularly Danny's quick integration into the BPD with no jurisdiction and the immediate invitation to family dinners despite Sean's critical condition. Deidre Johnson of The Wrap echoed similar sentiments, noting that while it has "all the bones of the original series," Boston Blue is "following the exact formula as Blue Bloods, for better or worse."

Ultimately, the consensus is that Boston Blue is designed to be a comfortable fit for those who miss the original. Despite some initial narrative contrivances, the show leans heavily on the successful formula of family, crime, and moral dilemmas that made Blue Bloods a long-running hit. Whether it becomes as beloved as its predecessor will likely depend on how it evolves beyond a "carbon copy" and deepens its emotional core. For now, it offers a familiar embrace for a devoted fanbase.

What's Next for Danny and the Boston Blue Crew?

With a compelling start, Boston Blue has laid the groundwork for plenty of action and emotional arcs. We’ll be watching Danny and Lena's partnership develop, navigating their differing investigative styles ("Brooklyn" vs. "Beantown" banter, anyone?). The long-distance romance between Danny and Maria Baez will be an ongoing storyline, and we can definitely expect more visits from other Reagan family members as the season progresses.

The show also has the potential to delve deeper into the unique challenges faced by the Silver family in Boston, addressing real-life issues through their cases, such as the facial recognition software controversy seen in the pilot. As the Reagans and Silvers become more interconnected, and Danny continues to make his mark in Boston, we’re hopeful Boston Blue will truly come into its own and carve out its own legacy beyond being just a spinoff.

Don't miss new episodes of Boston Blue airing Friday nights at 10/9c on CBS. If you can't catch it live, episodes are available to stream the very next day on Paramount+!

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Blue

• When did Boston Blue premiere?

  Boston Blue premiered on Friday, October 17, 2025.

• Where can I watch Boston Blue?

  You can watch new episodes of Boston Blue live on CBS on Friday nights at 10/9c. Episodes are also available to stream the next day on Paramount+.

• Are Danny Reagan and Maria Baez together in Boston Blue?

  Yes, the series premiere confirmed that Danny Reagan and Maria Baez are officially a couple in Boston Blue, paying off their long-standing chemistry from Blue Bloods.

• Will Tom Selleck appear as Frank Reagan on Boston Blue?

  While Frank Reagan did not physically appear in the premiere, he was referenced multiple times, and executive producers have indicated plans for more Blue Bloods character crossovers. The door is definitely open for Tom Selleck to make a guest appearance in the future, though no official confirmation has been made yet.

Sources

• "Will Frank Reagan Appear on ‘Boston Blue’ This Season?" — Dan Clarendon
• "Are Danny & Baez Together on ‘Boston Blue’? Inside the ‘Blue Bloods’ Pair’s Relationship" — Avery Thompson
• "‘Blue Bloods’ Spinoff ‘Boston Blue’ Is an Enticing Continuation of the Beloved Family Drama: TV Review" — Aramide Tinubu
• "Where To Watch ‘Blue Bloods’ Spinoff ‘Boston Blue’: Start Time, Cast, Paramount+ Streaming Info" — Joel Keller
• "Donnie Wahlberg discusses returning to hometown for new “Blue Bloods” spin-off titled “Boston Blue”" — WBZ-TV
• "CBS Expands ‘Blue Bloods’ Universe With ‘Boston Blue’ Starring Donnie Wahlberg" — Sara Donnellan
• "Boston Blue" Pilot episode details and descriptions