The Impact of Blue Bloods' Cancellation on Donnie Wahlberg's Character Danny

Donnie Wahlberg was devastated when he learned that Detective Danny Reagan and the rest of the cast of Blue Bloods would not be solving crimes past season 14. Blue Bloods, the CBS police procedural, premiered in September 2010 and lasted for 14 seasons before its cancelation. The first 13 seasons of Blue Bloods are all contiguous, while the 14th and final are split into 10 and 8-episode halves. Blue Bloods follows the Reagans, an NYC-based Irish American family who have traditionally worked in law enforcement.

Among the ensemble cast of Blue Bloods is Donnie Wahlberg, who portrays Danny Reagan, the eldest son of the Reagan clan. Danny Reagan is a talented and hardworking detective, whose hot-headedness often gets him and his fellow officers into trouble. Blue Bloods is the most recognizable character of Wahlberg's career, even more so than his memorable role in The Sixth Sense and his affecting performance in Band of Brothers. It's understandable that Wahlberg was disappointed by the cancellation of the series.

Donnie Wahlberg Wanted Danny & The Blue Bloods Characters To Have The Longevity Of SVU

Donnie Wahlberg Saw Blue Bloods Airing For Many More Years

The Reagan family at dinner in Blue Bloods season 1 - Donnie Wahlberg Saw Blue Bloods Airing For Many More Years - Donnie Wahlberg Wanted Danny & The Blue Bloods Characters To Have The Longevity Of SVU

Despite having 14 seasons under its belt, Donnie Wahlberg felt that Blue Bloods still had more to offer. In an interview with US Weekly, Wahlberg expressed his desire for the series to reach the same longevity as another popular procedural.

Ice-T and Mariska Hargitay have been starring in Law and Order: SVU for many years, and Wahlberg hopes Blue Bloods can have a similar longevity.

Wahlberg acknowledges the challenges of working on a series for an extended period, as seen with Law and Order: SVU and its parent series.

For Blue Bloods to match the success of these long-running shows, the main ensemble, including Tom Selleck and Bridget Moynahan, would need to commit to a lengthy TV career.

Despite the potential difficulties, it seems that many cast members of Blue Bloods would be willing to continue with the show.

In that same interview, Wahlberg expressed his optimism about the show's ongoing success, stating that he approaches each episode with a positive mindset. He mentioned how he has found enjoyment in being part of the show for 13 years.

Wahlberg's excitement about potentially continuing as Danny Reagan in Blue Bloods suggests he was ready for more seasons on the show, despite his optimism being proven wrong. If the series had continued, Danny would have likely remained a dedicated NYPD detective, even with his frequent clashes with superiors. Wahlberg's portrayal as the resilient but troubled detective is crucial to the essence of Blue Bloods.

However, Wahlberg is not concerned about the fate of his character. In a statement to US Weekly, he shared his thoughts on what could be next for Danny.

Wahlberg emphasizes the importance of staying present and focused on each episode that comes his way. Instead of worrying about future storylines, he immerses himself in the journey of the current script. This approach allows him to fully appreciate and make the most of each opportunity to portray Danny.

Tom Selleck, who portrays New York City Police Commissioner Francis "Frank" Reagan in Blue Bloods, expressed his willingness to continue the show. In an interview with TV Insider following the cancellation of the series, the iconic actor revealed his mixed emotions about the news. When asked about his thoughts on the show coming to an end, Selleck mentioned, "CBS will discover that a large number of viewers are not ready to bid farewell to it. The show is more popular than ever, and I believe viewership will only grow with the current level of interest. We still have plenty of creative ideas."

Selleck believed there were still many untold stories about the Reagan family and felt that the show could have continued beyond its 14 seasons. As an experienced actor in both TV and movies, Selleck understands the challenges of maintaining a long-running show and appreciates the rare opportunity to star in a series like Blue Bloods. Wahlberg and Selleck have gracefully accepted the end of their show but are open to the possibility of working together again in the future.

The 18-episode final season of Blue Bloods premiered in February 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in the fall of the same year.

CBS Budget Cuts & The Strikes May Have Contributed To Blue Bloods' Cancelation

A Tumultuous 2023 Paved The Way For Blue Bloods Being Canceled

Donnie Wahlberg as Danny looking furious with people talking in the background on Blue Bloods - A Tumultuous 2023 Paved The Way For Blue Bloods Being Canceled - CBS Budget Cuts & The Strikes May Have Contributed To Blue Bloods' Cancelation

During discussions in March 2023 regarding the renewal of Blue Bloods for season 14, CBS requested significant budget reductions, which included a 25% decrease in the above-the-line talent budget for the cast and creative team. Subsequently, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes commenced in May and July, respectively, causing a halt in the writing and planning of the series. Once negotiations concluded in September for the WGA and November for SAG-AFTRA, the writers of Blue Bloods returned with plans to pen the final season of the show.

As reported by Deadline, the renewal in March came with the assumption that season 14 would mark the end of Blue Bloods, a decision further solidified by the strikes. The strikes were deemed necessary to enhance working conditions within the TV and film industries, as well as to secure better pay and ensure that writers and actors were not left behind in an evolving digital landscape.

The Blue Bloods Cast Took Pay Cuts For Season 14

As a result of the strikes, some shows were forced to wrap up quicker than expected. However, the positive outcome of these strikes is the hope that actors and writers will have more opportunities to work and be fairly compensated in the future.

The Cast Was Willing To Make Less If It Meant The Show Continued

Frank (Tom Selleck) wearing a suit and looking annoyed in Blue Bloods - The Cast Was Willing To Make Less If It Meant The Show Continued - The Blue Bloods Cast Took Pay Cuts For Season 14

The cast of Blue Bloods agreed to take pay cuts for season 14, losing up to 25% of their previous salaries as requested by CBS. Selleck and the rest of the cast accepted these reductions to ensure the continuation of the show and to support the employment of hundreds of production staff for the final season. Unlike some other stars who may have rejected such significant salary cuts, the Blue Bloods cast was willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the show's longevity.

In a statement via TV Insider, Selleck eloquently conveyed the cast's sentiments about the cancellation of the series, highlighting their deep connection to their time on the show.

The cast of Blue Bloods understood they had an exceptional situation and was glad to keep it going any way they could. TV series are constantly being canceled; to even get one to go past a single season is an accomplishment. Once the series was officially canceled, however, they didn't hang their heads. Blue Bloods is a successful TV show and the cast should be proud of what they've done over 14 seasons.

For the past 13 years it has been an honor and a privilege to work on a show that not only celebrates the men and women who protect and serve in New York City, but also displayed the importance of family. Working alongside these incredible actors, writers, producers, directors and crew has been a dream come true and I’m grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary group for over 275 episodes. Thank you to CBS Studios and CBS Network for their steadfast support and we offer heartfelt gratitude to the fans who gathered with us for dinner every Friday night.

How Blue Bloods Could Continue

Sequels And Spinoffs Could Be Next For Blue Bloods

The characters of Blue Bloods appear on a poster for the show - Sequels And Spinoffs Could Be Next For Blue Bloods - How Blue Bloods Could Continue

Wahlberg has stated his interest in continuing the show and even pitched an idea to US Weekly,

Danny and Erin decide to become private investigators and relocate to Hawaii. However, this plan is abandoned due to the proximity to Magnum, P.I., which was not deemed suitable.

Although said in a joking manner to playfully poke fun at his Blue Bloods co-star Selleck and his role in the iconic '80s crime drama Magnum P.I., this comment raises an intriguing possibility for the future direction of Blue Bloods. The show could potentially continue beyond season 14, with numerous storylines available in NYC for the Reagan family to explore if another studio decides to revive the series.

There is also the potential for a spin-off, as Wahlberg humorously suggested. Perhaps not in Hawaii, but the Reagan family could consider relocating. Shows like Blue Bloods: Philadelphia and Blue Bloods: Boston could maintain the essence of the original series while introducing a new setting that remains plausible for an Irish American police family to transition to.

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Editor's P/S:

The article extensively delves into the cancellation of "Blue Bloods" and the subsequent reactions of Donnie Wahlberg and the cast. Wahlberg's disappointment is palpable, as he expresses his desire for the show to have the longevity of "Law and Order: SVU." The article also sheds light on the budget cuts and strikes that may have contributed to the show's demise.

While the article provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, it leaves readers with a sense of nostalgia and a desire for more. The cast's willingness to take pay cuts to save the show is a testament to their dedication and commitment. The article could have explored this aspect further, delving into the emotional impact of the cancellation on the cast and crew. Additionally, it would have been interesting to hear from other cast members, such as Tom Selleck, on their thoughts about the show's end and their potential plans for the future.