Lead actor Tom Selleck’s frustration over CBS' cancelation ofBlue Bloodsis justified. When CBS decided to cancel the long-running police and family drama after 14 seasons, it sparked amassive fan-led protest to saveBlue Bloods. However, that failed to move the needle with CBS executives; similarly, the enthusiasm for another season by cast members such as Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Gregory Jbara did not convince CBS to giveBlue Bloodsa reprieve.
Blue Bloods’final season was split into two parts, with the first half airing in the spring of 2024 andthe second half set to begin onOctober 18, 2024. The long hiatus between the two halves of the season gave Selleck and other stars time to attempt to convince CBS to extend the order to a full season, but unfortunately, this did not materialize, although the network did suggest that a spinoff might be in the works. Thus,Blue Bloodshas only eight episodes leftuntil it leaves the airwaves permanently.
Tom Selleck Is Right: Blue Bloods' Ratings Make The Show’s Cancelation Frustrating
The First Half Of Season 14 Was One Of CBS' Highest-Rated Shows
AlthoughBlue Bloodshas lost some of its audience over the years, its ratings are still among the highest on television, with an average of 5.3 million viewers watching each episode in season 14 (viaTV Series Finale).Blue Bloodswas also television’s fourth-highest-rated scripted series in 2024 (viaTVLine), further proving its popularity.These ratings are especially impressive considering thatBlue Bloodsairs at 10 PM on Friday nights, which is a tough time slot to winbecause many people are not home.
Rating (in millions)
5.667
5.447
5.550
5.474
4.862
5.405
5.381
5.158
“Two of a Kind”
5.145
July 29, 2025
5.254
These high ratings on an unpopular television night are a testament toBlue Bloods’popularity.In the past, a series that consistently cracked the top 10 on a night when few people watch television would have been virtually guaranteed to continueunless the producers and actors decided to stop. Canceling a show that is this popular risks alienating a large audience, especially when some shows that CBS renewed had lower ratings thanBlue Bloods.
Tom Selleck Doubles Down On Frustration Over Blue Bloods Ending With Season 14: “The Show Was Always Taken For Granted”
Blue Bloods star Tom Selleck gets candid about the police procedural coming to an end, explaining why he thinks the show has been taken for granted.
Blue Bloods' Cast Wanting To Continue The Show Makes The Cancelation Worse
Cast Enthusiasm Is Even Stronger Than The Ratings
It’s rare for a cast to stay together for fourteen years; in most cases, actors get restless after a few years and decide to leave so that they can explore other roles, leading to multiple cast changes that can interfere with the quality of the show. One of the reasons thatBlue Bloods’cancelation has been so disappointingis that the cast has not only stuck with the series, but is enthusiastic about continuing to work together.The cast appears to be as much of a family as the characters they play on TV, and it is frustrating that they are forced to stop working together because CBS canceledBlue Bloods.
This type of enthusiasm ought to be treasured, not ignored, as CBS is unlikely to find another series where the actors are so dedicated to the show for well over a decade.
The cast’s enthusiasm not only helps ensure the quality of every episode, but has motivated many cast members to fight forBlue Bloods’future.Season 14 was green-lit in part because the cast agreed to a 25% pay cut to save costs(viaTHR), and Selleck, Wahlberg, and other actors associated with the show have pushed hard for its continuation, making public statements in support of renewal and expressing eagerness to continue working. This type of enthusiasm ought to be treasured, not ignored, as CBS is unlikely to find another series where the actors are so dedicated to the show for well over a decade.
Blue Bloods' Story & Characters Could Have Sustained Season 15 - And Beyond
There Were Plenty of Stories Left To Be Told
Blue Bloods’unique blend of family and cop drama gives it more storyline opportunities than many other shows.The series was never in danger of becoming stale or repetitive because the drama sprung mostly from conflicts between well-established and beloved characters, with the cases of the week being secondary to the way they affected each member ofBlue Bloods’Reagan family. Thus, it could have continued for years to come and still been fresh and original.
6 Best Possible Blue Bloods Spinoffs
Blue Bloods is ending in December 2024, but there are several potential spinoff ideas for the series that would continue the Reagan family’s story.
Blue Bloodsalso presented a unique point of view on television. While there are many police procedurals, few have a mission of showing the NYPD in as positive a light asBlue Bloodsdoes. Additionally, the series presented current events in a neutral light,allowing the characters to have different opinions rather than forcing any particular viewpoint into the narrative.This allowed people from across the political spectrum to enjoyBlue Bloods,something that is unfortunately rare in today’s polarized society.
Blue Bloods
Cast
Blue Bloods is a television drama series that follows the Reagan family, a family of law enforcement officers in New York City. Led by Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, the series explores familial and professional dynamics as they navigate police work and politics, guided by their patriarch, the former Chief, Henry Reagan.
