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Why Boston Blue Needs a Frank Reagan to Succeed

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Despite Boston Blue unveiling some secondary characters, the spin-off of Blue Bloods has yet to find a suitable replacement for Frank Reagan, portrayed by Tom Selleck. Frank’s strong adherence to his values was a significant aspect in the original drama, gracing both the police and family scenes, which were pivotal to each episode and contributed to the show’s lasting appeal. The unique selling point of Blue Bloods lay in its focus on a family of cops who shared meals and prayers, distinguishing it from most other police procedurals.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, even after 14 seasons, “Blue Bloods” was among the CBS shows that got axed in 2025. However, in March of the same year, the network dropped a bombshell: a spinoff of “Blue Bloods” was in the works! This spinoff would find Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) relocating to Boston and teaming up with the daughter of a well-known cop family there. So far, Danny is the only Reagan we’re expecting to see in this new series, but there’s plenty of buzz about how they’ll keep the family essence alive without the other Reagans.

Ernie Hudson Will Play Sonequa Martin-Green’s Grandfather, Reverend Peters

The Ghostbusters Star Will Play The Family Patriarch

Ernie Hudson has signed on with Boston Blue as the matriarch of the Silver clan (according to Entertainment Weekly)). Not many details have been disclosed about his character yet, but we do know that he is a Baptist minister and leads a well-respected law enforcement family in Boston. The casting process is ongoing, but it’s confirmed that Reverend Peters will have at least one daughter and two granddaughters. Lena (played by Sonequa Martin-Green) will team up with Danny, while her stepsister Sarah (Maggie Lawson) holds the position of Boston PD supervisor. A rookie cop is also expected to join the cast, along with one of Peters’ daughters who will serve as the district attorney.

It’s worth noting that his characteristics resemble certain characters from Blue Bloods, but not Frank Reagan himself. His occupation as a pastor shares a profession with Frank’s friend, Archbishop Kevin Kearns (played by Stacy Keach). However, he differs in religious background compared to the Archbishop. In a more straightforward comparison, the grandfather role played by Peters aligns him closely with Len Cariou’s Henry Reagan.

Boston Blue’s Reverend Peters Sounds More Like Henry Reagan Than Tom Selleck’s Frank

He Is A Beloved Grandfather Who Is Not An Active Cop

Unlike the character Frank Reagan, who embodies the patriarch role, Reverend Peters shares more similarities with Henry, being the head of a well-known police family and a grandfather. However, it’s uncertain if Peters has served as a cop like his New York counterpart, Henry, who was a retired former commissioner yearning to be part of law enforcement. His role as a pastor indicates that he may have had limited interaction with the Boston PD’s daily affairs beyond his family connections in the force.

On the flip side, Frank Reagan held significant influence not only in his professional life but also within his family circle. Frequently, he found himself at odds with his staff due to his unwillingness to participate in actions that would boost the department politically, yet he deemed detrimental to the officers under his supervision. Moreover, to prevent any semblance of favoritism towards his sons at work, he had to tread carefully, a decision that occasionally stirred disagreements at home. However, during Sunday dinners, Frank always emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony, despite the occasional domestic disputes.

Why Boston Blue Still Needs A Frank Reagan Type Of Character

Frank’s Presence Was An Important Part of Blue Bloods’ Success

The character Frank Reagan from “Blue Bloods” seems nearly impossible to replace, as his unwavering moral principles and unwillingness to bend his values significantly contributed to the show’s popularity. Crafting a spin-off series that matches the original’s allure without involving Frank could prove difficult. Regrettably, it appears that “Boston Blue” will not feature Frank, given his position as NYPD commissioner, which would require him to be in New York rather than Boston on a regular basis. Furthermore, Tom Selleck is a seasoned actor with high demand and salary expectations, making it challenging for CBS to finance a show featuring him.

If Frank is not going to show up frequently, the Boston Blue series requires a character with an equally powerful leadership presence as Frank’s. The charm of Blue Bloods wasn’t only due to the family at its core – each Reagan member had unique personalities that made them seem authentic. For Boston Blue to thrive, it should not attempt to swap the Reagan family from Blue Bloods with run-of-the-mill law enforcement characters. Instead, it needs a character like Frank who has firm opinions and creates conflict, but not so inflexible that they become unsympathetic.

Furthermore, much like how Blue Bloods used its political narratives to enhance its image of the NYPD as a noble and just institution, thus garnering favor among real-life law enforcement officials, Boston Blue could achieve a similar effect by centering its stories around the Boston Police Department. If Sarah’s character is given the role equivalent to Frank’s Commissioner position, that would be ideal. However, if not, it may be necessary to introduce another character who can embody Frank’s leadership role.

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2025-06-06 16:20

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