Tom Selleck isn’t hiding his disappointment after CBS canceled his long-running show Blue Bloods. The 79-year-old actor has played Commissioner Frank Reagan since the show began in 2010. After 14 successful years, the network announced last year that the show would end this fall. In a recent interview with TV Insider, Selleck said he’s “frustrated” by CBS’ decision.
“I’m kind of frustrated,” Tom Selleck said openly. “During the last eight episodes, I didn’t want to talk about the end of Blue Bloods, but rather about how it’s still very successful.”
He talked about the show’s audience, saying that Blue Bloods still attracts a lot of viewers.
“In the Top 100 Shows of 2023-2024, we were ranked #9 for total viewers, and if you leave out the three football shows, we’re #6! I’m not going to be a bitter old man yelling, ‘Get off my lawn!’ I don’t hold grudges, but if you told the network, ‘Here’s a show that can air in the worst time slot and still help you win Friday nights for 15 years,’ it would be hard to believe,” Selleck explained.
The Emmy winner admitted, “I’m frustrated because the show was always taken for granted since it was successful from the start. How do I feel? It’s going to take me a long time to fully process everything.”
Selleck talked about filming the last episode, saying, “I remember after the weekend of shooting the final episode, I thought, ‘I need to go to bed early because I have lines to memorize for Monday.’ But then I realized, there was no Monday. It’s just going to take some time to adjust.”
When asked what he’ll miss most about Blue Bloods, Tom Selleck didn’t hesitate to answer.
“The actors. The group of actors is as close as the Reagan family they play on screen. Every single one of them wanted to come back,” he said. “Most shows don’t end like this—there’s usually jealousy and other issues—but we overcame that. It’s something everyone can be proud of.”
Selleck’s cast includes Donnie Wahlberg, Len Cariou, Will Estes, Vanessa Ray, and Bridget Moynahan.
Though he’s upset the show is ending, CBS Studios president David Stapf has hinted at a possible spinoff.
“There are lots of possibilities for what a Blue Bloods spinoff could be like,” said CBS Studios president David Stapf after the announcement. “We still have a whole season of Blue Bloods left, so there’s time to figure out a spinoff.”
This isn’t the first time Tom Selleck has shared his feelings about the show being canceled.
In May, Tom Selleck shared that with Blue Bloods ending, he might not be able to afford his California ranch. He told CBS Sunday Morning that he could lose his 63-acre property in Ventura County.
“That’s always a concern. If I stopped working, yeah. Am I set for life? Yes, but maybe not with a 63-acre ranch!” said the former Magnum PI star.
Even though he’s disappointed, Selleck made it clear he’s not retiring from acting.
“I hope there’s another Western in my future. No matter what happens with Blue Bloods, I’m not going to stop acting. I still hope CBS will reconsider,” he said.
The second half of Blue Bloods final season will air on CBS starting October 18, 2024, with eight episodes.