CBS launches 'Boston Blue' spin‑off starring Donnie Wahlberg

When Donnie Wahlberg, the longtime actor who built his TV legacy as Detective Danny Reagan on Blue Bloods, stepped onto a new stage in Boston, the buzz was immediate. CBS announced that the new police procedural, Boston Blue, would debut on Sunday, October 17, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET, promising a fresh take on the family‑driven drama that has kept viewers glued for 15 seasons.

How Boston Blue fits into the Blue Bloods universe

The spin‑off doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it leans on the familiar DNA of its predecessor while swapping skylines. In the premiere episode, Reagan (Wahlberg) leaves the NYPD after a harrowing case involving his teenage son Sean — played by Mika Amonsen — and joins the Boston Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. The move sets up a natural clash of East Coast policing cultures and, more importantly, opens the door for a new family saga: the Silvers.

Meet the Silver dynasty

At the heart of Boston Blue is Detective Sonequa Martin‑Green, who portrays Lena Silver, the 34‑year‑old eldest daughter of a storied Boston law‑enforcement clan. Her grandfather, Ernie Hudson, appears as Reverend Edwin Peters, a 72‑year‑old pastor of the historic New Haven Baptist Church in Roxbury. Hudson’s character also fathers Mae Silver, the Suffolk County District Attorney, played by Gloria Reuben, and step‑mother to Superintendent Sarah Silver, portrayed by Maggie Lawson. Rounding out the family is Jonah Silver, a rookie patrol officer brought to life by Marcus Scribner.

Why the casting mattered

The casting slate was announced gradually throughout early 2025. CBS issued a pilot order in January, and Wahlberg’s involvement was confirmed on January 22. Sonequa Martin‑Green secured the role after a rigorous 47‑actress audition process, a fact highlighted in the network’s February 10 press release. Ernie Hudson’s promotion from a guest spot on Blue Bloods (2023) to series regular came on May 12, signaling the franchise’s confidence in his gravitas.

Production timeline and behind‑the‑scenes

The series was officially green‑lit on March 15, 2025, with filming kicking off in Boston on April 3. Production wrapped on August 28, after shooting seven hour‑long episodes at iconic locations such as the Boston Police Department headquarters at 401 Harrison Avenue and the bustling Faneuil Hall Marketplace. CBS Studios partnered with Jerry Bruckheimer Television—helmed by the legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer—to ensure the show retained the high‑octane feel fans expect.

Executive vision

Executive producers Brandon Sonnier, Brandon Margolis, KristieAnne Reed, and Wahlberg himself framed Boston Blue as a "compelling new setting" while preserving the family drama that made Blue Bloods a cultural staple. In a September 15 interview with the Television Critics Association, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said, "Boston Blue expands our successful Blue Bloods franchise with a fresh city, fresh faces, and the same core of loyalty and conflict that viewers love."

Initial reception and numbers

On premiere night, the series pulled a 1.8 rating among adults 18‑49 and attracted 7.3 million live viewers, according to Nielsen. Early fan sentiment on IMDb settled at 6.9/10 based on 283 ratings, and the show entered the platform’s popularity ranking at 325. Rotten Tomatoes logged a 68% critic score after the first three episodes aired, noting the "strong chemistry between Wahlberg and Martin‑Green" but critiquing the "sometimes formulaic case‑of‑the‑week structure."

What this means for CBS and the franchise

Boston Blue is positioned to become a flagship summer‑to‑fall offering for CBS, giving the network a reliable procedural to slot into the Friday‑night lineup after the traditional sitcom block. The spin‑off also opens up cross‑over possibilities; characters like Bridget Moynahan’s Erin Reagan and Marisa Ramirez’s Maria Baez are slated for guest appearances, further knitting the two series together.

Potential for future seasons

Given the seven‑episode order for season one, the network is likely to gauge renewal risk based on live-plus‑seven day ratings and streaming performance on Paramount+. If the Boston‑Boston rivalry storyline continues to resonate, a second season could see the Silvers confronting deeper political intrigue, perhaps even a storyline that ties the Boston Police Department into a national task force.

Key takeaways

• Premiere date: October 17, 2025, 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
• Star power: Donnie Wahlberg leads, joined by Sonequa Martin‑Green, Ernie Hudson, Maggie Lawson, Gloria Reuben, Marcus Scribner.
• Production: Filmed entirely in Boston between April 3 and August 28, 2025.
• Ratings: 1.8/7.3 million live viewers; IMDb 6.9/10; Rotten Tomatoes 68%.
• Future: Potential cross‑overs with Blue Bloods; renewal hinges on audience retention.