History of Blue Bloods in Timeline

Blue Bloods is a police procedural drama that aired on CBS from 2010 to 2024, spanning 14 seasons and 293 episodes. The show centers on the Reagans, a fictional Irish Catholic family in New York City deeply rooted in law enforcement. Tom Selleck stars as NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan, with key family members played by Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, and Len Cariou, all appearing throughout the show's run. The series explores the family's professional and personal lives, often intertwining their work in law enforcement with their family dynamics and moral dilemmas.

2005: Wahlberg's Experience in NY70

In 2005, Donnie Wahlberg played an NYPD detective in an NBC TV pilot called NY70, which was not picked up. He was drawn to the Blue Bloods role after that experience.

February 2010: Pilot Order by CBS

In February 2010, CBS gave Blue Bloods a pilot order.

March 2010: Casting Announcements

In March 2010, the castings of Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, Len Cariou, and Bridget Moynahan were announced for Blue Bloods.

May 2010: Series Picked Up at CBS Upfronts

In May 2010, Blue Bloods was officially picked up at the CBS Upfronts, with promotional material emphasizing the connection of the original creators to The Sopranos.

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September 24, 2010: Series Premiere on CBS

On September 24, 2010, Blue Bloods premiered on CBS. The American police procedural drama television series follows the fictional Reagan family, an Irish Catholic family in New York City with a history in law enforcement.

October 2010: Full Season Order

In October 2010, Blue Bloods was one of five new shows on CBS to receive a full season order.

2010: Paley Center Panel

The cast of Blue Bloods participated in a panel discussion at the Paley Center to mark the series premiere in 2010.

January 19, 2011: Temporary Time Slot Change

Beginning January 19, 2011, Blue Bloods was moved to Wednesdays at 10 p.m. for a four-week tryout on CBS.

February 2011: Australian Premiere

In February 2011, Blue Bloods premiered in Australia in a primetime Wednesday slot on Network Ten.

February 2011: Return to Friday Night Time Slot

In February 2011, Blue Bloods returned to its Friday night time slot on CBS due to the series premiere of Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.

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October 31, 2011: Season 2 Premiere on One

On October 31, 2011, due to poor ratings of the first season, Network Ten moved the series to its secondary HD channel One, premiering the second season alongside White Collar.

2011: Carlson comments on working with Wahlberg

In 2011, Amy Carlson said of working with Donnie Wahlberg: "When he works on this show, he is Emmy material. He lives this character in such a visceral way, it really resonates on the screen."

October 20, 2012: Jennifer Esposito Dropped from Series

On October 20, 2012, CBS announced that Jennifer Esposito was being dropped from Blue Bloods, with her character, Detective Curatola, being placed on indefinite leave of absence, because she was diagnosed with celiac disease.

2012: Humanitas Prize and Edgar Award Nominations

In 2012, Brian Burns was a finalist for the Humanitas Prize for "The Job" episode in Season 2, and Siobhan Byrne O'Connor was nominated for an Edgar Award for the episode "Innocence."

2012: Filming at the 9/11 Memorial

In 2012, a scene with Tom Selleck was the first production permitted to film at the 9/11 Memorial after it opened in 2011.

March 27, 2013: Renewal for Fourth Season

On March 27, 2013, CBS officially renewed Blue Bloods for a fourth season, set to begin in the fall of 2013.

July 13, 2013: New Zealand Premiere

On July 13, 2013, Blue Bloods premiered in New Zealand on TV3, replacing CSI: NY in a primetime Saturday slot after Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

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August 26, 2013: Season 3 moves back to primary channel

On August 26, 2013, season three moved back to the primary SD channel of Network Ten due to decreased viewership of the primary channel.

March 17, 2014: Season 4 Return

On March 17, 2014, season four returned to Network Ten.

2014: Paley Center Panel

The cast of Blue Bloods participated in a Paley Center panels in 2014.

2015: Edgar Award Nomination for Siobhan Byrne O'Connor

In 2015, writer producer Siobhan Byrne O'Connor was nominated for an Edgar Award for the episode "Unfinished Business."

2016: Wahlburgers Episode on Blue Bloods Set

A 2016 episode of Wahlberg's reality show Wahlburgers revolved around bringing food from the family-run restaurant chain to the Blue Bloods set.

2016: Tax Breaks

In 2016, news reports indicate the series received $160 million in tax breaks from the state of New York from 2016/17 to 2024.

2016: Eric Schneiderman guest appearance

In 2016, then-New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman made a guest appearance as himself in an episode of Blue Bloods.

2017: 150th Episode Celebration

In 2017, Blue Bloods marked its 150th episode with a cast panel discussion at the 92nd Street Y.

2017: Paley Center Panel

The cast of Blue Bloods participated in a Paley Center panels in 2017.

2018: David Dinkins and Jack Schlossberg Appearances

In 2018, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins appeared as himself in an episode. Also, President Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg acted in a brief cameo role as a police officer in the 2018 season 8 finale.

2019: Edgar Award Nomination for Kevin Wade

In 2019, Kevin Wade received an Edgar Award nomination for his work on the "My Aim is True" episode.

2021: TV Faith & Freedom Award

In 2021, Blue Bloods was awarded the TV Faith & Freedom Award at the MovieGuide Awards for season 10, episode 19, "Family Secrets."

March 2022: TV Guide Cover Feature

In March 2022, core cast members of Blue Bloods were featured on the cover of TV Guide magazine to mark the show's 250th episode.

March 29, 2023: Renewal for Fourteenth Season

On March 29, 2023, CBS announced the renewal of Blue Bloods for a fourteenth season, with cast and producers taking a pay cut to secure the renewal.

July 21, 2023: Fourteenth Season Delayed Due to SAG-AFTRA Strike

On July 21, 2023, CBS announced that the renewed fourteenth season of Blue Bloods would be delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

November 20, 2023: Fourteenth Season Announced as Last

On November 20, 2023, it was announced that the fourteenth season of Blue Bloods would be its last.

2023: Wahlberg's TV Guide Cover

Donnie Wahlberg was featured by himself on the cover of TV Guide Magazine in 2023.

2023: Edgar Award Nomination for Siobhan Byrne O'Connor

In 2023, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor was nominated for an Edgar Award for "The Reagan Way" episode.

February 2024: Wahlberg hints at show's survival

In February 2024, Mark Wahlberg stated on the Kelly Clarkson Show that "maybe there's some way it will still end up surviving and carrying on in a different way."

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February 2024: Possible show extension discussed

In a February 2024 podcast interview, Gregory Jbara discussed the possibility of the show being extended to the spring 2025 season and beyond 300 episodes. Fans started an initiative to save the show with a social media hashtag, a petition, a letter writing campaign and in person signs on location, and cited Wahlberg's comments in a February 2024 Entertainment Tonight interview. Wahlberg also paid tribute to fans' efforts.

February 16, 2024: Fourteenth Season Premiere

On February 16, 2024, the first ten episodes of the fourteenth and final season of Blue Bloods began airing on CBS.

March 2024: Possibility of continuation after final season discussed

In March 2024, Mark Wahlberg mentioned in a radio interview with Andy Cohen, along with his New Kids on the Block band members, that there were "rumblings" that the show could continue after its final season, with a joke about a "Donnie spin-off" by Jordan Knight.

May 2024: Selleck discusses show's future

In May 2024, during production of the second half of season 14, Tom Selleck stated in interviews with CBS News that he believed CBS would "come to their senses" and that the cast wanted to return, repeating these comments at the end of May. He also suggested that the decision to end the show was debatable.

June 4, 2024: Paramount Global announces "franchise extension"

On June 4, 2024, Paramount Global co-CEO Brian Robbins announced at a shareholder presentation plans for a "franchise extension" of Blue Bloods.

June 2024: Wahlberg reflects on production and hopes for future

In June 2024, after production completed on season 14, Mark Wahlberg recalled the disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed hope for more time to "do something magical again." He also indicated on Instagram that many wished the show could continue.

June 2024: Show's cancellation questioned amid merger talks

In June 2024, after the collapse of merger negotiations between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, Deadline Hollywood noted that the show's "Tom Selleck-led cast is kicking and screaming to stop the show from fading away at season's end." Deadline also highlighted the show's strong ratings, calling the cancellation a "head scratcher".

July 2024: Wahlberg hints at potential follow-up series

In July 2024, Mark Wahlberg hinted to fans of his band New Kids on the Block that he might be involved in some sort of follow-up to the series after its final season and confirmed he would be interested in spin-off ideas.

October 2024: Multiple TV Guide Covers

In October 2024, an edition of TV Guide Magazine featured four separate covers of Blue Bloods cast members to mark the second half of the 14th season.

October 18, 2024: Final Episodes Premiere

On October 18, 2024, the remaining eight episodes of the final season of Blue Bloods premiered on CBS.

November 2024: Speculation about possible continuation

In November 2024, The TV Ratings Guide noted it was "surprising" that CBS hadn't officially announced development of some sort of Blue Bloods continuation. Jack Ori of Screen Rant argued that CBS had made a "mistake" in not officially announcing a spin-off before the series had concluded.

December 13, 2024: Series Finale

On December 13, 2024, the series finale of Blue Bloods aired, concluding its run of 14 seasons and 293 episodes on CBS.

December 2024: Cast expresses disappointment and hope for the future

In December 2024, Steve Schirripa expressed sadness over the show's cancellation due to good ratings. Bridget Moynahan recalled the cast and crew's disappointment. Tom Selleck reiterated his frustration and the cast's desire to return. Mark Wahlberg expressed a lingering hope for the show's resurrection.

2024: Cancellation

In 2024, Blue Bloods was cancelled after a run of 14 seasons.

2024: Wahlberg Recalls Helping to Convince Moynahan to Take the Role

In a 2024 feature for Emmy Magazine, Donnie Wahlberg recalled helping to convince Bridget Moynahan to take the role as his sister after previously working with her on an unsuccessful TV pilot called Bunker Hill. He also encouraged Marisa Ramirez to stay on beyond the initial season 3 episode she came on to in a guest role.

February 2025: Spin-off Announced

In February 2025, CBS announced a spin-off under the working title Boston Blue, set to launch in the Blue Bloods time slot in the fall with Donnie Wahlberg executive producing and reprising his role as Danny Reagan.

February 2025: CBS announces Boston Blue spin-off

In February 2025, CBS officially announced that Donnie Wahlberg would star as Danny Reagan in and be one of the executive producers of a spin-off with the working title Boston Blue, ordered straight-to-series at CBS for the 2025–26 season, set to premiere in the Blue Bloods timeslot in fall.

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2025: Possible Show Extension to 2025

In February 2024, Gregory Jbara mentioned in a podcast the possibility of the show being extended to the spring 2025 season, dependent on viewership and Tom Selleck's initiative. The hopes of the show being extended to 2025 were still expressed weeks later.

2025: Jbara's Interview

In a 2025 interview, Gregory Jbara said that Selleck was clear that the show has to be about people, rather than having Selleck's character overseeing a real-time crime center.