The US law enforcement scene has devolved in the recent decade, where civilians have lost trust in the system with the growing civil and racial unrest. Several TV shows have reflected the current lexicon of police in their shows.
One such show that never shied away from depicting the intricacies of police protocols is ‘Blue Bloods.’
Premiering in September 2010, the title Blue Blood is a coined term to portray the family line of law enforcement officers. Led by Tom Selleck, who plays the patriarch Commissioner Frank Reagan, the show navigates the Reagan family and his sons who follow in his footsteps.
Through each member of the Reagan family, we get insights into various aspects of the law, legal, and judiciary system, including first-grade detectives, investigators for the District Attorney’s office, prosecutors, beat cops, executives, and more. The in-depth analysis of law enforcement earned the show critical acclaim and several accolades in its 13-year successful run.
However, the police procedural drama seems to have reached its finish line.
On November 20, 2023, CBS announced that Blue Blood would run its final 18-episode season 14 in 2024. The network has not yet clarified the real reason. The speculations point towards the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike that led to pulling the plug on the drama. Even after Blue Blood showed high ratings, one of the reasons might be significant budget cuts.
The Possible Reasons Why the CBS Show Blue Bloods Is Canceled
The WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strikes have been a monumental dual-strike feat after 60 years. Artists and creative agents are demanding their rightful share for their contribution.
The strike has also triggered a butterfly effect in Hollywood, leading to several productions shutting down.
CBS has also pulled out other shows, including ICarly and Young Sheldon, even after the latter showed considerable ratings. With a similar connotation, Blue Bloods also met with the same fate.
Network execs Amy Reichenbach and David Stapf wrote in a joint statement–
“Blue Bloods will forever be a beloved part of CBS’ legacy.”
“It ruled Friday nights with unprecedented dominance since its premiere and established itself as a pillar of our winning lineup with an exceptionally devoted fan base.”
Insider sources revealed that CBS had to work with significant budget cuts, probably due to the strikes.
Tom Selleck, the star of the show, expresses the show coming to an end, stating–
“For the past 13 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to work on a show that not only celebrates the men and women who protect and serve in New York City but also displayed the importance of family. Working alongside these incredible actors, writers, producers, directors, and crew has been a dream come true. I’m grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary group for over 275 episodes. Thank you to CBS Studios and CBS Network for their steadfast support, and we offer heartfelt gratitude to the fans who gathered with us for dinner every Friday night.”
Is Blue Bloods Ending In 2024?
The Reagan family is coming back for one last time in 2024. Fans can rejoice since Blue Bloods will be split into two installments. The first batch of 10 episodes will be airing in Spring on February 16, 2024. The final eight episodes will be airing in the fall of 2024.
Donnie Wahlberg, who plays the hard-hitting cop Danny Reagan, expressed his views to the PEOPLE on why season 14 is a significant link for the show’s end. He said–
“I love Blue Bloods, and I think if there weren’t a season 14, the loyal fans of the show would be very, very outraged,” he pointed out. “They’re part of the Reagan family. The audience is the extended family. … If the show were to go away without [the audience] having a proper sendoff, I think they would be mortified. So, I suspect [we’ll] have at least another season.”
The Blue Bloods cast also bid adieu to one of their family members, Treat Williams, who passed away on June 12, 2023. The final season would feel a bit empty without him.
What are your thoughts on this? Were you anticipating the season renewal of Blue Bloods? Do you think this is the best time to end the show?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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