Donnie Wahlberg Discusses Efforts to Save Blue Bloods from Cancellation: “We Couldn’t Do It”

Blue Bloods may have officially concluded, but the cast is not yet ready to bid farewell. Having premiered in 2010, the series has enjoyed a remarkable journey across 14 seasons, showcasing a talented ensemble, including Donnie Wahlberg (Danny), Tom Selleck (Frank), and Bridget Moynahan (Erin). Although many cast members are transitioning to new projects, the possibility of a spin-off still looms over the show’s legacy.

Despite hopes for a continuation, Donnie Wahlberg expressed his disappointment regarding the series cancellation. In a recent interview with Fox News, he highlighted the strenuous efforts the cast undertook to sustain the show, noting that they lacked the influence to sway the network’s final decision. The abrupt end has left the crew in a difficult position, emotionally resonating with Wahlberg, who reflected on losing touch with the vibrant spirit of New Yorkers and the NYPD. His poignant remarks are encapsulated in the following quote:

I think one of the things we haven’t really talked about is having worked so long with the crew that we had in New York City. I personally — and I’m sure some of the other castmates — felt bad. I felt sad. Like, we tried to keep the show going.
We tried to help the show carry on, and we couldn’t.
We couldn’t do it. You know, we did everything we could, everything in our power, to have the show carry on.

That was tough. That was tough to process, you know. And I know the crew wouldn’t feel that way. But in some ways, we just kept sort of believing we would keep the show going.
When that finale ended, it was kind of like reality hit us all.
It was definitely a part of it, a bit of like, ‘Gosh, you know, if we could have just kept going a few more years, you know?’

We got close to that crew, and they have, you know, families and mortgages and a lot of responsibilities. It was a really cool feeling to go to work every day knowing that hundreds of New Yorkers who work on this show had these careers that we were a part of. And just to know that that was ending, it was tough. It was tough. I’m sure it’s scary for them.
It had a lot of emotion because of that.

We worked hard to represent the people of New York and the NYPD, and we worked hard to keep the show going and to keep it compelling for 14 years. And
it was a lot to say goodbye
. It might sometimes, from the outside, seem weird, like, ‘Oh, all these actors are crying that their show’s over.’ But we did become a family, and we did become a family with the crew. And just to say goodbye to them was emotional.

Implications of Blue Bloods’ Cancellation

Potential for a Spin-off Series

The Blue Bloods family sits down to dinner one last time.

Eddie prepares for the final family dinner.

The conclusion of Blue Bloods might not signify the end of the franchise altogether. There have been discussions about a potential spin-off since July, with Paramount co-CEO Brian Robbins announcing a follow-up series is in development. However, specifics remain unconfirmed, leaving fans speculating about the future. Given the show only wrapped on December 13, there may still be ongoing deliberations at the network, striving to find the best path forward while managing the legacy of their flagship series.

This lack of clarity suggests that Wahlberg may be resigning from the battle to revive the show. The prospect of a spin-off does, however, indicate that the network recognizes the brand’s strength, although it might not involve the original cast, as the production budget has historically been significant. The cancellation could be a strategic move to realign costs, given the financial implications of maintaining current salaries.

Analyzing the Cancellation of Blue Bloods

A Remarkable Journey

Only a select few television series manage to achieve a 14-season run, and even fewer foster such passionate fandom. Enthusiastic supporters campaigned for Blue Bloods to continue, but sadly, their efforts fell short. The end of this iconic show is bittersweet, underlining the remarkable commitment of its fanbase and the enduring legacy it leaves behind. Though the attempt to secure a 15th season was unsuccessful, the prolonged existence of Blue Bloods is a testament to its impact and relevance.

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