Could you imagine Blue Bloods with a different name? Initially, the show was going by a completely different title before it earned the moniker that we have all come to know. Ahead of the series finale, the cast gathered to dish on some major secrets about the series we love, including the title, discrepancies with the season 1 story line and more.
‘Blue Bloods’ Almost Had a Different Name
In the November 2024 special Blue Bloods: Celebrating a Family Legacy, it was revealed that Blue Bloods was initially going to be called Reagan’s Law.
“You know it was originally called Reagan’s Law,” Len Cariou, who plays Henry Reagan, said during the special.
“What a terrible title,” Tom Selleck said. “Boy, I don’t think we should have been saddled with Reagan’s Law.”
Needless to say, the cast was definitely happy when the show’s name was officially changed to Blue Bloods. The title change wasn’t the only revelation made during the one-hour special episode, which featured interviews with the cast and a look back at some of the show’s biggest moments.
Part of the Pilot Was Not Shot in NYC
Host Nischelle Turner revealed that part of the pilot episode was shot in Toronto, Canada, and not New York. Obviously, Blue Bloods, as fans have come to know and love, takes place in NYC. When the series first began, Tom spoke out about how happy he was that the filming location was officially moved to the Big Apple.
“No offense, Toronto, but I’ve shot there, and it’s a lovely place to shoot, but it’s different,” he said during a 2010 press event.
Tom has lived at his California ranch with his wife, Jillie Mack, since 1988. But he didn’t mind traveling to New York for the beloved show, which will air its season 14 series finale on December 13, 2024.
“Look, it’s difficult for me to argue that shooting a show about New York won’t be better shot in New York,” he added.
Tom Selleck Made Sure the Show’s Core Values Stayed the Same
Tom also made sure that Blue Bloods has stayed true to family values since season 1. He felt like at one point during the show’s first season, the story was veering away from those values and he quickly took action.
“Suddenly, there was a difference in the tone, and some new people had been brought in and the show was more procedural. I kind of met with the other actors and said, ‘Look, you can stay out of this. I’m going to have to have broad enough shoulders for this. But if you agree with me that you like the pilot and not the way the show was beginning then I’m going to see what I can do,’” Tom revealed.
“I called some people at the network. I called my agent and said, ‘This isn’t going to work.’ We were on episode 2 and I said, ‘Look, I don’t think I belong on this show if that’s what they’re going to do.’ But that was done in not in a threatening way but in a business-like way and it worked out pretty good.”
Bridget Moynahan said that it “showed that he cared” after Tom rallied the cast together to change the trajectory of the first season.
“He used his experience and his influence to ensure that we could protect the integrity of the show that we all signed up for,” Donnie Wahlberg agreed.
Tom Selleck Asked for 4th Billing
Tom viewed himself as a supporting character when the show first started.
“You know when you commit to a series like that, everybody’s futures on the line, and it affected them as much as me, when we started Blue Bloods, I asked for fourth billing,” he said. “I was kind of a supporting character for what was happening in their lives, so it was as much their future as mine. It was an ensemble show which I was delighted to be a part of.”
A Fun Homage to NKOTB
Donnie admitted that he has “snuck in” lyrics from New Kids on the Block songs and made references to the group during scenes on Blue Bloods throughout all 14 seasons. A montage showed all of the references, including weaving some of his most popular song titles into conversations at Reagan family dinners. Donnie also revealed that his bandmate Jordan Knight was a background actor on the show at one point. “We snuck him in the background of a scene,” Donnie revealed.
Jenny McCarthy Almost Appeared in ‘Blue Bloods’
It was also revealed that Donnie’s wife, Jenny McCarthy, almost had a role on Blue Bloods as Danny Reagan’s high school girlfriend. However, she ultimately decided against it so they didn’t blur the lines of Donnie’s character and his real-life marriage.