SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers from “Faith and Family,” the premiere episode of CBS’ “Boston Blue.”
Following the conclusion of “Blue Bloods” after its 14-season run, fans were left with many unanswered questions regarding the Reagan family. Fortunately, the spinoff “Boston Blue,” featuring Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan, provided viewers with some answers right from the opening moments of the premiere on October 17.
In the series finale, Danny finally made a gesture towards his long-time partner, Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez), by inviting her to get pizza. The premiere opens with a glimpse of the two sharing a bed, with their familiar banter now taking on a romantic element.
“Once we knew we could extend Danny Reagan’s narrative, Brandon and I considered the unresolved threads from the finale and what needed closure. The major question was definitely what transpired during that pizza outing,” co-showrunner Brandon Margolis shared with Variety. “It was our intention to have this show feel like it’s continuing the story in nearly real time. It’s been about a year since the finale aired, which made it essential to explore where Danny and Baez are as a couple, and how their relationship might complicate a shift from New York to Boston. We aimed to maintain continuity in their relationship.”
While Ramirez has not yet confirmed her involvement in additional episodes, the relationship between Danny and Baez is set to evolve, as confirmed by Sonnier. “Long-distance relationships can be challenging. We plan to delve into this relationship further and understand how it progresses over a decade,” he remarked. “It’s only a four-hour drive!”
CBS
The premiere episode pairs Danny with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green), the eldest daughter from a notable law enforcement family—something Danny can relate to, as he takes on a new role with the Boston Police Department to stay close to his son, Sean (Mika Amonsen), after Sean sustains an injury on the job.
There’s a significant change in the spinoff as Sean has been recast; previously portrayed by Andrew Terraciano in 292 episodes of “Blue Bloods,” Mika Amonsen has stepped into the role for this new chapter.
“We cherish Andrew and the contributions he made throughout ‘Blue Bloods.’ This season is about introducing a new chapter in both characters’ lives. Sean isn’t the only one joining the family business; we also see Danny Reagan stepping into the role of a father to a police officer, a new experience for him,” Margolis elaborates. “This presents new storytelling avenues to explore. Although the character remains the same, the dynamic is different. We have appreciated what Mika adds to Sean—a blend of vulnerability and a desire to prove himself—making it compelling to witness this evolution.”
CBS
The newly launched series promises to retain the essence of “Blue Bloods” while introducing recognizable characters. In fact, Bridget Moynahan’s Erin Reagan graced the premiere, arriving in Boston to check on Danny, hinting at more familiar visits to come.
“Will we see family members making appearances? Will there be visits and trips? Absolutely. We genuinely consider this an extension of the universe,” co-showrunner Brandon Sonnier stated. “It’s not just a typical spinoff. This is a fresh narrative about a different law enforcement family, through the perspective of the Reagans, who are still active in the world we have come to know.”
Moreover, each episode will feature an important family gathering—the Silver family’s Shabbat dinner, which served as a key element in the premiere, with Danny and Erin joining in the celebration.
“We’ll incorporate Shabbat dinner into every episode. We aim to honor the legacy of the original show’s Sunday dinners, which were a crucial component of the Reagan family dynamics,” Sonnier continued. “It was interesting to hear from many real-life law enforcement officials who related to the Reagan family setup. They experienced similar family meals, which creates a natural continuation of that universe. I engage in family meals as often as possible; I have four young kids, and like many, we come together when we can, especially to celebrate Shabbat on Fridays.”
“Boston Blue” airs at 10 p.m. ET on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day.
