Donnie Wahlberg is saying goodbye to Blue Bloods. The actor, who has portrayed Detective Danny Reagan for 14 seasons, marked his final day of filming with a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday.
“Last day of Blue Bloods,” Wahlberg wrote. “Not sure I have the words to describe how I feel about today, or the last 14 years on this special Blue Bloods journey, but I do know how incredibly thankful I am for every moment of it.”
Wahlberg expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the show. “To the cast, the crew, the guest cast, every background actor, writer, producer, and every member of every single department — thank you. To the people of New York, in every neighborhood and borough, thank you for always showing your love. To the NYPD, thank you for your support and sacrifice, I hope we did you proud.”
He also gave a special shout-out to the show’s loyal fanbase. “Lastly, to my fans, and the fans of this show. We don’t make it 14 days (nevermind 14 years) without you!” Wahlberg concluded. “Your love and support for this show has been one of the great blessings of my life. Thank you.”
The New Kids on the Block member also shared a photo of himself, Vanessa Ray, and Marisa Ramirez in a group hug on set on his Instagram Story, writing, “Family forever.” Ray, who played Officer Eddie Janko-Reagan, also shared the image on her own Story, adding, “I love them so much it hurts.”
CBS confirmed that Blue Bloods would be ending after its 14th season last November. At the time, Tom Selleck, who starred as family patriarch and police commissioner Frank Reagan, said in a statement that it was “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.”
In the months following the announcement, Selleck has expressed hope that the network would reconsider. “We’re the third-highest scripted show in all of broadcast. We’re winning the night. All the cast wants to come back,” he told CBS News. “And I can tell you this: We aren’t sliding off down a cliff. We’re doing good shows, and still holding our place. So, I don’t know. You tell me!”
Interestingly, the network might not be done with Blue Bloods just yet. During a Paramount Global shareholder meeting earlier this month, co-CEO Brian Robbins announced that the series is one of the company’s properties that will be expanded upon in the future.
“We are building tomorrow’s billion-dollar brands right now,” he said. “In TV, new franchise extensions are coming for Dexter, Billions, and Blue Bloods, and CBS’ hit Fire Country shows huge promise.”
