For more than a decade, Blue Bloods has followed the Reagan family’s commitment to New York law enforcement, but plenty happens off camera. The show nearly left New York for Toronto before tax incentives and authenticity concerns kept production rooted in the city.
Family realism runs deeper than scripts. The actors playing Danny’s sons, Andrew and Tony Terraciano, are real-life brothers, strengthening their on-screen bond.
Scripts also pass through former NYPD detective James Nuciforo, who adds authentic police jargon and procedure details.
Not all behind-the-scenes stories were smooth. Amy Carlson exited abruptly, with Linda Reagan’s death revealed off-screen, sparking backlash. Meanwhile, Tom Selleck fought to keep his iconic mustache, and Donnie Wahlberg’s boy-band past still surprises viewers discovering his acting roots.
Production quirks add more intrigue. The Reagan dinner scenes can take hours to film, testing cast patience. The commissioner’s house is a real Brooklyn residence, and even storylines have drawn controversy, including criticism from the Catholic League over church-related dialogue.