‘Blue Bloods’: Donnie Wahlberg Says Things Are About to Get ‘Intense’ for Danny & Baez
Q&A
“When I show up to work, I usually make an announcement of how lucky we are doing a show as beloved as Blue Bloods,” Donnie Wahlberg says. Is this guy for real? Yes. Yes, he is.
For the 53-year-old musician-actor-producer, making people happy and having fun doing it are life goals. No wonder his fans follow him through every turn in his career. They attend his New Kids on the Block concerts and Blockhead fan conventions (the next is in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend), and they spend their Friday nights with CBS’ long-running Blue Bloods, and Wahlberg’s Det. Danny Reagan and his family.
TV Insider spoke with Wahlberg about his make-’em-laugh approach to the job — as well as a game-changing episode for Danny and his partner, Det. Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez), his real-life relationship with on-screen dad Tom Selleck, and an upcoming (sort of) Magnum P.I. reunion.
From what I’ve observed on the set over the years and your many social media postings, you are always so upbeat.
Donnie Wahlberg: Well, I’m 53 and I would say it’s probably years of practice and trial and error and understanding. I’m incredibly optimistic because I’m incredibly grateful for every single day and every single moment … It’s a blessing to be part of something so successful that means so much to so many people. I dance around the set— even get Tom [Selleck, who plays Reagan patriarch Frank] to do a little shoulder shake — laugh a lot, have fun. I’m sure that could be annoying, but I think it gets us through some of the long tough days when it’s really cold and uncomfortable. I’m incredibly optimistic because I’m incredibly grateful.
John Paul Filo/CBS
Does all that happiness from you ever annoy people?
It may. [Laughs] I’m responsible for a lot of bloopers. If I start laughing with someone during a scene, usually I can’t stop. I know that can be very annoying. The only time I see the crew roll their eyes is after laughing along with my bloopers for about four or five minutes, they’re like, “OK, I really want to get home to dinner tonight. Can you stop laughing, please?”
Does the show take your fans into consideration when breaking storylines?
The entire cast respects our audience tremendously. When we’re making scenes, we discuss how they’re going to feel. I know a lot of fans want Danny and Baez to date, and when Danny was going on a date with someone else, I was like, “Oh, they’re going to be mad, but can we give them something to be happy about later? Can this lead to other positive things?” And it was like, “Yes, it can.”
Blue Bloods/Instagram
Let’s talk about that January 20 episode, when the long-widowed detective made it clear that he’s ready to consider romance again and goes on a date with a fellow detective. What did that mean for Danny and Baez’s future?
I think that script caught some viewers by surprise. It surprised me. It certainly opens the door for Danny and Baez, but all I know is that they will bond at much deeper levels than they ever had. Marisa and I are incredibly close and we try to bring a lot of that into the show, which has really worked for the audience.
How do they bond?
The [May 12] episode is really intense for the partners. A perp Baez arrested wants revenge and Danny goes all out to protect her and her new baby. There’s a dinner and some drinks involved and maybe a sleepover. It’s going to really show how important Danny and Baez are to each other. Marisa and I chose to play up a lot more vulnerability than we have typically done in the past. The audience is going to love it!
Speaking of relationships, is the affection between Commissioner Frank Reagan (Selleck) and his eldest son mirrored in real life between you and Tom?
It absolutely mirrors Danny and Frank. Tom and I are very close off-screen. That said, we both approach the show with the same level of commitment, but Tom is very focused and reserved and uses his years of experience in the craft, while I use instinct and feeling, and emotion a lot. But his endorsement and blessing early on revealed to me how much he trusts me to get the job done, much like Frank trusts Danny to get the job done.
CBS
Tom’s former Magnum P.I. costar Larry Manetti shows up in the April 21 episode as a retired cop who wants vengeance on a dealer who sold fentanyl to his grandson. There’s no on-air reunion between the two. Why?
Tom really wanted his old friend on the show, but he didn’t want it to be distracting to the audience to have Larry in scenes with him. To his credit, Tom did encourage me to put the picture [of Larry with the Reagan family] on Instagram. He said, “I really want to support that Larry’s on the show. Can you do that social media thing?” I was like, “Absolutely.” I was really surprised because I always have to ask him to do that.
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Blue Bloods was recently renewed for at least one more season. Do you want the show to break records?
I don’t know how many seasons the studio and network will make the show, but I can say that I made a commitment to Tom and Bridget [Moynahan, who plays Erin Reagan) in Season 1 that I was with them as long as they wanted to go.
This is an expanded version of TV Guide Magazine’s Blue Bloods cover story. For more inside scoop on what’s coming to TV and streaming in the weeks ahead, pick up the issue, on newsstands Thursday, April 6.
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Conversation20 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
I love watching Blue Bloods and I love the cast. I am glad that it has been renewed for another season. As long as they do the show I will be at the dinner table with them on Fridays at 9pm.
17
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B
I continue the tradition of watching all the time. New and reruns. My husband loved this show and I feel he is still watching with me
11
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O
I love Blue Bloods! I would love to see Danny and Baez get together! They have good chemistry and trust between them. I love the psychic, but I'd love to see her remain on the show as a good friend to Danny and Baez. They have a special friendship and working partnership.
11 1
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G
Greatest sitcom ever made….perfect cast….and what they all represent in integrity, honesty, and family loyalty you will not find in NY today….not even close….so this is refreshing show that we hope and pray we can find these type of people in the near future….somehow…someway.
7
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J
Sitcom?
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C
My hubby and I wouldn't miss an episode for ANYTHING! It is our number one treat for the week. Keep on!!!!!!!!!
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J
The Rookie has done the same thing with Castle alums. As for Danny and Baez it seems natural for pairing them. My question is when is she going to ask Danny to be Godfather to her daughter? Also, where in the heck did Jamko go?
6
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J
Not sure what you're referring to.... I think we see Jamie & Eddie pretty regularly.
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J
Jamko was a dog the Eddie and her previous partner came across while on patrol. Jamko was supposed to be a watchdog for a gang but the dog was acting as a police dog.
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J
LOLOL, sorry, I thought you were referring to not seeing enough of the human couple who make up "Jamko." 😁
In any case, I can't speak about the status of Jamko... I'm not sure I even remember that dog.
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J
I believe Jamko was in either Season 10 & 11 for about four episodes. Jamko was an unoffical mascott of the 29.
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L
My wife and I are family to the Reagan’s, even if we don’t live in New York, or claim to be Catholic. Makes us feel good about people in general after each show.
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A
I'm just so happy that they were renewed again. Best TV show worth watching. Enjoy the family dinners on Sunday 🥰👏👏
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G
I would like to see Danny and the psychic get together I think they have more charisma together
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C
I have been a fan of Tom Sellecks for years. I have seen every episode of Magnum P.I. and every episode of Blue Bloods. Why cant Blue Bloods last many years like any other show. We as fans would still watch it, if Mr Selleck retired as PC but was still in the show like Pop. Please continue Blue Bloods
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C
I absolutely love that show they are all fantastic actors and they make it look so so real
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P
Really Love Blue Bloods. I would like to see Danny and the psychic get together or bring Jackie back. So glad and thankful the show got renewed again.
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J
I'd like to see Jackie again... in her professional capacity, of course.
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G
Jackie as a live interest would be great
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R
I hate the way the producers treat the women on this show! The medium and Danny should get together or Jackie
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