‘Boston Blue’s Donnie Wahlberg Gets Real About Filming in Toronto: ‘It’s Dire Straits Financially’
Donnie Wahlberg got candid about why Boston Blue is filming primarily in Toronto instead of Boston in a new interview. This comes after fan backlash about the location was spurred by footage of Wahlberg and Mika Amonsen filming in Canada in late July. According to the New Kids on the Block star, the Blue Bloods offshoot has to film in Toronto because of the “dire straits” the TV industry is currently in financially. On a more positive note, he said that Boston Blue “is going to blow people’s minds” when it comes to guest appearances in the series premiere.
The comments came in an appearance on the Billy & Lisa in the Morning podcast on August 7. Wahlberg, a Boston native, assured that they’re still filming Boston Blue in Boston, saying that he played a big part in making sure that happened. Wahlberg said in Instagram comments in July that they were headed to Boston for filming the following week, and they did recently film a scene in Fenway Park, as Wahlberg details on Billy & Lisa in the Morning. But he did admit on the podcast that because of budget constraints, filming in Toronto will continue.
“I think we’ll be filming in Boston a lot,” Wahlberg said. “People think it’s a personal choice or that I didn’t want to film in Boston. I had the best time in my life filming in Boston. I have the best time in my life every time I go to Boston … The industry has really been beat up from COVID and the strike. CBS, for example, used to make, like, 20 shows a year. They’re making two this year — new shows — and I’m on one of them. It’s really dire straits financially in the industry, so I’m really fortunate to be making a show. I’m really fortunate to be able to go to Boston and work at all. But you know, when I initially was offered the job, I said, ‘We got to go to Boston.’ They said, ‘We can’t afford it.'”
“It’s basically thirty cents on a dollar to film in Canada right now, compared to eighty cents on a dollar, ninety cents from a dollar even with tax breaks,” he continued. “But I said, ‘We have to go to Boston. I can’t not go to Boston.’ And so the plan right now is to do the interiors up here [in Toronto] and go to Boston every couple of weeks and do what we did and put a crew together, a Boston crew, and go down and film all over the city. You can’t fake what Boston looks like. And you know, we’re bringing Boston actors up here to guest [star] in the show. We’re doing everything we can, and hopefully, in success, we can be in Boston more. The goal is, let’s compromise to get the show made. We’ll work outside and do exteriors in Boston, and then you know, in success, perhaps we can come down there and be there full time. That would be a dream of all dreams.”
Wahlberg detailed the Boston Blue scene they filmed in Fenway Park and what it was like to be a real-life Red Sox fan acting like a New York Mets fan underneath the Green Monster. He said that it’s true that he told production that he refuses to let Danny Reagan be a Yankees fan (he can’t betray his real-life Boston roots like that). While it’s not worked into his contract, he said that he told production that Danny could only be a Mets fan, and they agreed.
Speaking about the first episode and the possibility of seeing some Blue Bloods stars in it (Bridget Moynahan is already confirmed), Wahlberg said it’s “going to blow people’s minds.”
“I think people are going to be like, ‘Oh my god, Like there’s some twists and turns in the first episode, and then we’re going to continue that,” Wahlberg shared. “We want to pay respect and honor Blue Bloods, but also there are thousands and thousands of police families in America, and we want to tell some of those stories, too. And we want to let Danny explore, you know, be a fish out of water.”
Boston Blue, Series Premiere Friday, October 17, 10/9c, CBS
Conversation38 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
P
We are glad to have e you in Canada. I live in Hamilton, Ontario a d any American shows are filmed here. I am a Blue bloods fan from the beginning Hope to be a fan of Boston Blue, too, You will have many Canadian fans watching ,as well. Good luck with the show.
42
-
B
If CBS can save money filming Boston Blue in Canada why couldn’t they have done that with Blue Bloods to keep it on the air. I would have overlooked that just to be able to keep watching Blue Bloods every week.
37 1
-
O
Shows have been filming in Canada for DECADES because of their tax incentives. It's NOT new and nothing to whine and complain about. Sure, it would be nice if they filmed the show in Boston, but it's not going to and you all really NEED to get over it.
16 1
-
O
I'm do glad they are doing something to continue the Blue Bloods type of stories, can't wait.
13 2
-
O
The President wanted film production in the USA. There should be a bigger incentive rather than tariffs on foreign production.
17 7
-
R
The president sued CBS, remember? That might* be part of the financial issue.
24 3
-
-
G
Toronto can totally fake Boston. It fakes every other northeast city.
12 4
-
O
My brother was a detective in Toronto, it will certainly give it a Boston feel. I loved Blue Bloods and I’m excited for this show
4
-
G
Well, Blue Bloods fan for years so delighted franchise continuing. Also proud Canadian and noticed zero mention of the turmoil between our countries. Only that it's cheaper.
3
-
B
It would be cool to see a ‘Spencer for Hire’ Boston cross over.
3
-
R
Just saw a clip for the show, and it was right in front of one of the small 3 storie buildings in Regent Park, Toronto. So looks like they have filmed outside scenes in Toronto. I always know when TO is a stand in for US cities, most of our architecture is different.
1
-
C
If it's on CBS I will no longer watch anything on that channel
1
-
R
So many shows and movies film in Toronto or Canada in general as its way way cheaper then the USA a ton of great movies were filmed in Canada like the original Superman! Donnie Loves Toronto Canada hes a great humble guy. Can't wait for his show!
1
-
C
Where else would it be? They own the IP!
And why won't you?
-
C
Did he want to be (ahem!) DEI'd, though?
-
C
Wut?!?
-
C
Ethics are the domain of "charities" only?
Great vice-signalling you got!
Very Blue Bloods.
-
C
You meant Jerry Bruckheimer is a "pC-SjW" now, too?
Because his entry into the franchise is the biggest current.
-
C
Go take a look at the Massachusetts Film Office's website. They clearly are!
-
C
Eh?!?
Are you dissing both of Harvard and MIT in one fell swoop?
Nevermind all of the odious hedge funds HQed over there?
-
C
US$16 million? Could be!
-
C
Are you accounting for incentives provided by Massachusetts Film Office for this show?
Because it's not like they forego those bribes for producing on-location only in part.
-
G
Ok I'm furious. I loved Andrew playing Sean so why on earth would they replace him?! No Andrew = No spinoff for me.
-
P
Not happy he didn't bring Jamie and Eddie back. That's why I watched Blue Bloods
-
R
They shouldn't be able to bring American actors up here to film taking work away from Canadian talent. I say let them go back to the States and film it all there.
-
P
I did Not watch Blue Bloods for Danny!!!
-
G
Can't wait.
-
R
🤣🤣🤣
-
R
I won't watch it at first, just want to make a point that they didn't include Tom Selleck at all, and that stinks!
-
P
Why doesn't the production company ask for a tax breaks from the state of Massachusetts..
5 5
-
C
God forbid the commonwealth of Taxachusettes give a tax break for anything.
8 1
-
-
O
I think Boston Blue will not get my viewership. Not because its filmed in Canada but because it is a poor concept and slap in the face for Blue Blood fans just in order to be inclusive and PC . Reagans involvement with the new "family" is unrealistic.
1
-
R
I think it stinks that Boston Blues is not filmed entirely in Boston, and that a true Boston fan like Donnie ,has to portray a New York Mets fan. It's all about money, FAKE SHOW! Still love you Donnie!!
2 13
-
G
You couldn't pay me enough money to watch! Terrible excuse to say they need the money. Plenty of Union people in the United States need to work here. Call it what it is, you went there for cheap production cost. Shame on Donnie
7 34
-
G
We'll keep watching up here
4
-
G
I’m sure the seven people up there will enjoy it. My state has a higher gdp than canada.
2
-
-
O
It's a business, not a charity.
20 2
-
C
Good riddance. An American my assles.
6
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services