Blue Bloods
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| Show name | Blue Bloods |
| Genre | Police procedural, family drama |
| Creator | Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess |
| Starring | Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Len Cariou, Amy Carlson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Num seasons | 12 |
| Num episodes | 260+ |
| Executive producer | Leonard Goldberg, Ed Zuckerman |
| Location | New York City, Los Angeles |
| Runtime | 42–45 minutes |
| Company | Paramount Television, CBS Studios |
| Network | CBS |
| First aired | September 24, 2010 |
| Status | Ended |
Blue Bloods is an American police procedural and family drama television series created by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess that premiered on CBS on September 24, 2010. Set in New York City, the series centers on a multigenerational family of law enforcement officers connected to the New York City Police Department and public service. The show blends case-driven policing narratives with recurring family-meeting scenes and ethical debates, featuring performances from a principal ensemble and frequent guest appearances by figures from politics and entertainment.
Overview
The series follows the Reagan family, led by Patriarch Frank Reagan, whose role intersects with institutions including the New York City Police Department, the Mayor of New York City, and the Manhattan District Attorney. Plotlines often involve interactions with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Port Authority Police Department. Settings span Manhattan landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island, and story arcs engage civic topics involving the New York State Legislature, the United States Senate, and municipal offices. Writers and producers drew on precedents from series such as Hill Street Blues, Law & Order, and NYPD Blue to combine serialized family drama with episodic crime stories.
Cast and Characters
The principal cast features veteran actors with links to other notable works and institutions. The ensemble includes Tom Selleck as a senior public official with ties to Los Angeles and Magnum, P.I., Donnie Wahlberg with connections to New Kids on the Block and crime dramas, Bridget Moynahan who has appeared in I, Robot and Coyote Ugly, Will Estes with credits on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Len Cariou, known for stage work at The Public Theater and Broadway institutions. Recurring cast and guest stars include performers associated with The Sopranos, The West Wing, Mad Men, The Wire, The Sopranos alumni, and politicians or commentators who have appeared as themselves from outlets like Fox News and CNN. Characters often interact with public figures from the New York City Police Benevolent Association, legal representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union, and administrative officials from the New York State Court of Appeals.
Production
Created by Green and Burgess, the series was developed by CBS Studios and produced in association with Paramount Television. Showrunners and executive producers have included industry veterans with credits on programs such as The Sopranos, Nip/Tuck, and The West Wing. Principal photography took place on location in New York City with production services coordinated through municipal offices including NYC & Company and the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Technical consultants included former members of the New York City Police Department, advisors from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and legal consultants with experience at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Composer and music supervision teams have ties to Sony Music and theatrical catalogs maintained by ASCAP and BMI.
Episodes and Broadcasting
Episodes were broadcast primarily on CBS in the United States, with syndication deals involving networks such as ION Television and streaming arrangements with platforms including Paramount+ and international distributors like BBC One, Seven Network, and Global Television Network. The series followed network scheduling blocks alongside programs like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and NCIS, airing weekly during prime-time slots and occasionally scheduled alongside sports broadcasts from National Football League telecasts. Special episodes featured crossover-style guest appearances from actors associated with Law & Order and stunt coordination teams from feature productions shot in Manhattan.
Reception and Ratings
Throughout its run the series achieved steady ratings performance on CBS and drew demographic attention in advertising reports from firms such as Nielsen Media Research. Critical response referenced comparisons with classics like Hill Street Blues and contemporaries including Blue Bloods peers from the police procedural genre. Award nominations and honors included recognition from organizations such as the People's Choice Awards, TV Guide Awards, and mentions in year-end lists compiled by outlets like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The New York Times. The show also generated commentary from advocacy groups such as the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union on portrayals of policing.
Themes and Cultural Impact
The series examined interlocking themes involving law enforcement, public policy, family legacy, and civic duty, engaging debates relevant to stakeholders like the New York State Assembly, municipal administrations, and policing unions. Storylines addressed criminal justice topics involving entities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, corrections professionals from Rikers Island, prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and crime victims' advocates. Cultural impact extended to tourism promotion for New York City locations depicted onscreen, homages in popular culture by performers from Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show, and academic interest from criminal justice programs at institutions like Columbia University and New York University.
Home Media and Streaming
Home media distribution included DVD releases marketed by Paramount Home Entertainment and digital sales through retailers such as iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. Streaming availability shifted through licensing windows involving Paramount+, ad-supported services, and international platforms like Hulu and Netflix in select territories before reverting to network-affiliated services. Collections featured behind-the-scenes featurettes with production personnel who had worked on series recorded at locations associated with Silvercup Studios and post-production handled by facilities used by CBS Studios.
Category:American crime drama television series