Rumors have been swirling for months, and now it’s finally news – Blue Bloods, the popular crime drama that has captivated audiences for over a decade, is coming to an unexpected end.
Fans were shocked by CBS’ announcement of the show’s cancellation, despite its continued success as a ratings powerhouse. As viewers grapple with the loss, series star Tom Selleck broke his silence and expressed his disappointment and frustration at the network’s decision. Could there be more to the sudden cancellation of one of TV’s most enduring dramas?
Tom Selleck has expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of his long-running CBS show Blue Bloods. The actor, who has portrayed Commissioner Frank Reagan since the crime drama debuted in 2010, shared his thoughts following the announcement that the series will end after its 14th season this fall.
In an interview with TV Insider, Selleck revealed his “frustration” at the network’s decision to end the show despite its continued success.
“I’m a little frustrated,” Selleck admitted. “During those last eight episodes, I didn’t want to focus on the end of the series, but rather how it remained wildly successful.”
He explained: “We were 9th in the top 100 shows of 2023-2024 (in total viewers) and if you exclude the three football shows we were 6th! I’m not turning into a bitter old guy who says, ‘Get off my lawn,’ but I think CBS took the show for granted. If you had a show that could secure Friday nights for 15 years, wouldn’t you appreciate it?”
Selleck also reflected on how the network overlooked the show’s continued success from the beginning.
“My frustration is that the show has always been taken for granted because it played so well right out of the gate,” he said. “How do I feel about it ending? It’s going to take a while to process. After filming was over, I remember thinking, ‘I’ve got to go through the Monday lines,’ but then I realized there’s no Monday.”
The actor shared a bittersweet moment while filming his final scene as Frank Reagan, noting that it was a family dinner – just like his first scene when the show started 15 years ago.
“I won’t spoil everything about the final episode, but the family dinner brings the Reagan family together one last time,” Selleck revealed.
Selleck says what he will miss most about Blue Bloods is the camaraderie with his castmates.
“The cast. We’re as close as the Reagan family itself. Every single one of them wanted to come back for the final season,” he said. “Most shows don’t end like this – there’s usually petty jealousy and drama. We’ve overcome that and I’m so proud of what we’ve created together.”
Blue Bloods was a police procedural that centered on the Reagan family, a multi-generational law enforcement family in New York City. The show explored their professional challenges in the NYPD along with their personal and moral dilemmas.
His heart was Frank Reagan (Selleck), the family patriarch and NYC police commissioner. His children were also deeply involved in law enforcement: Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg), a fiery NYPD detective; Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan), an assistant district attorney who balances justice and loyalty to family; and Jamie Reagan (Will Estes), the youngest sibling who worked his way through the ranks of the police force. The series also featured Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), Frank’s retired father and former commissioner.
A signature feature of the show was the Reagan family dinners, where the characters would meet weekly to discuss ongoing cases, moral conflicts, and family dynamics.
The series dealt with complex issues such as police brutality, political challenges and the pressures of being in a high-ranking police force family. She combined action cases with thoughtful ethical debates and left a lasting impact on her audience.
The cancellation of Blue Bloods marks the end of an era for both its devoted audience and the actors who brought the Reagan family to life for 14 years. Tom Selleck’s candid reflections on the show’s legacy highlight the bond shared by the cast, the unique storytelling that tackled both professional and personal challenges, and the impact it had on viewers.
While the decision to end the series will leave fans and its star with mixed emotions, Blue Bloods’ legacy as a cornerstone of television will live on. His balance of action, ethics and family values ​​left an indelible mark and ensured that the story of the Reagan family would be preserved for many years to come.