‘Boston Blue’ Creators Talk Danny and Baez’s Relationship, the New Sean, and Which Blue Bloods Character Didn’t Appear

CBS’ latest police drama, Boston Blue, takes a bold yet familiar step into the world of Blue Bloods. The spinoff follows Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg) as he relocates from New York to Boston to look after his son, Sean, and inevitably gets pulled into the city’s crime scene. Along the way, Danny meets the Silver family, a powerful Boston clan deeply entrenched in law enforcement, faith, and public service — a dynamic that mirrors the Reagans in intriguing new ways.

The show’s creators, Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis — affectionately known as The Brandons — sat down to discuss the premiere episode, Danny’s evolving relationship with Detective Maria Baez, the decision to recast Sean, and how Boston Blue keeps the spirit of Blue Bloods alive while charting its own course.

Honoring the Legacy of ‘Blue Bloods’

In a television landscape where theme songs are often cut for time, Boston Blue proudly opens with a reimagined version of the Blue Bloods theme. For Sonnier and Margolis, that musical continuity wasn’t just a creative choice — it was a tribute.

“It feels like home,” Sonnier explained. “As Blue Bloods fans and torch carriers for the legacy of that show, it just felt right. We’re evolving the sound and tone, but it was vital to remind people of where we came from.”

That balance — between nostalgia and innovation — defines the entire series. Boston Blue aims to retain the moral center, family ties, and emotional realism that made Blue Bloods a hit, while exploring new characters and challenges in a fresh city.

Recasting Sean Reagan: A Bold Creative Choice

One of the biggest surprises for longtime fans is the recasting of Sean Reagan, Danny’s youngest son. In Blue Bloods, the role was played by Andrew Terraciano, who literally grew up on screen. For Boston Blue, however, the creators cast Mika Amonsen (The Republic of Sarah), introducing a slightly older and more dynamic version of the character.

“We love Andrew’s work and watching him grow up on TV,” Margolis said. “But once we knew we were telling a new chapter in Sean’s life, it made sense to find an actor who brought a different energy.”

The pilot doesn’t shy away from that change. In fact, it opens with Sean’s heroism — and tragedy — as he’s seriously injured in the line of duty. Danny’s rush to Boston to care for his son sets up both the emotional core and the procedural drive of the show.

“It was a gamble to open on a new face,” Margolis admitted. “But we needed the audience to love Sean immediately. That first scene, with him as a hero, does exactly that.”

Danny and Baez’s Relationship Finally Confirmed

Fans who’ve spent years speculating about Danny’s chemistry with his longtime partner Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez) finally got their wish. The premiere confirms that Danny and Baez are officially a couple — and the reveal happens in his very first scene.

“It was important to show that time has passed and life has continued,” Sonnier explained. “We wanted to say, yes, that pizza date led somewhere. There’s been growth. There’s been love. And honestly, it’s a real ‘wow’ moment when you see them together.”

The creative team viewed their romance not as fan service, but as emotional continuity. After years of shared danger and loyalty, their relationship felt like the natural next step for both characters.

Erin Reagan’s Surprise Cameo

While many wondered which Reagan family members might appear in the spinoff, the premiere delivered a touching guest appearance from Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan. Her character travels to Boston to be by Danny’s side as Sean lies hospitalized — a moment that taps into the Reagan family’s unshakable bond.

Margolis explained the decision: “Erin has always been the one who tries to take care of Danny, even when he doesn’t want her help. She’s the only one who’d just show up, fix his tie, and dare him to be mad about it. That’s who she is.”

Her presence also helped establish the emotional bridge between Blue Bloods and Boston Blue. It wasn’t a “Reagan family dinner,” but the shared sense of duty and love was unmistakable.

Frank Reagan’s Absence (For Now)

The pilot subtly nods to Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan, showing Danny on the phone with his father — though Selleck is neither seen nor heard. According to Sonnier, that choice was intentional.

“We wanted this story to be about Danny and Sean,” he said. “Frank looms large, as he always will, but this is Danny stepping into the Frank role — the caretaker, the mentor, the moral compass. This is his journey now.”

Sonnier teased that Frank’s presence will be felt throughout the season, but the premiere’s focus was firmly on Danny’s emotional transformation.

Meet the Silver Family: Boston’s New Powerhouse

A major strength of Boston Blue lies in its new ensemble, the Silver family, whose members occupy nearly every corner of Boston’s justice system. Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green) is Danny’s new partner; her sister, Police Superintendent Sarah Silver (Maggie Lawson), oversees the department; and their brother, Officer Jonah Silver (Marcus Scribner), serves as Sean’s colleague and friend.

Their mother, District Attorney Mae Silver (Gloria Reuben), anchors the family, while her father — Reverend Edwin Peters, played by Ernie Hudson — brings a moral and spiritual dimension to the show. The Silver family’s interfaith and multiracial background reflects the diversity and complexity of modern Boston.

“It’s a pilot’s challenge to introduce a big ensemble without feeling forced,” Margolis said. “But because the family’s relationships overlap personally and professionally, it came naturally. Their lives intertwine the same way the Reagans’ do — around faith, service, and justice.”

A Fresh Partnership with Familiar Heart

Danny’s new professional relationship with Lena Silver is another cornerstone of the series. While his partnerships with Jackie and Baez defined different eras of Blue Bloods, Lena represents something new.

“She understands Danny in ways few others can,” Margolis said. “She’s from a family that carries the same weight of legacy and duty that he does. They’re different in every other way — background, culture, city — but they meet in that same space of moral conviction.”

The chemistry between Wahlberg and Martin-Green gives the show a sense of renewal — a mix of grit, empathy, and humor that makes Boston Blue both familiar and fresh.

Carrying the Reagan Legacy Forward

Ultimately, Boston Blue is less about leaving Blue Bloods behind and more about expanding its world. Danny is no longer just a detective or a brother — he’s a father navigating grief, change, and responsibility.

As Sonnier put it, “That line, ‘You learn to live with the loss,’ says everything about Danny. He’s lost his wife, his brother, and now his son’s future hangs in the balance. This show is about how he carries all of that and still finds the strength to serve.”

Boston Blue keeps the faith, family, and tradition of Blue Bloods alive — just with a new skyline.

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